apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Keep an eye on your contractor when having work done. I had a flood that ruined my finished basement and contracted to have the bottom half of the walls replaced. I hired a local guy with good references to do the work.

I saw him taking out a sheet of clean wallboard before the job was done and went downstairs to see what was going on. He came down and said that he was "just tidying up" and that there was plenty of wallboard left for the rest of the job. I went and looked at one wall that hadn't been repaired and found wet paint. There was a place between two electrical outlets where the green from the mold could be seen.

His explanation? He was just using up some paint and had only painted the top half that didn't need repair. I touched the bottom half of the wall and came away with wet paint on my fingers. He couldn't explain that.

There is no doubt that he painted the wall and intended to pass it off as completed work. Fortunately, every day after the contractor left, I went downstairs and inspected the completed work and took photos of what wasn't done.

I've fired him and am paying someone else to finish the work. I'll be taking the contractor to court for the difference between what I had agreed to pay him upon completion and what I have to pay the new guy.

It is so awesome it's DIY month. I moved in my first apartment(I'm 19) just a couple of days ago and I can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.