A homeowner signed a contract with us to remodel their kitchen and bathroom. We hired two subcontractors: an electrician and a plumber to do work at their house. Now the homeowner wants to see bills/contracts between our company and the subcontractors we hired. Does he have any right to see our company’s bills/contracts between us and the subcontractors we hired? The contract does state that any communications to the subcontractor from the homeowner has to be done through the contractor. Any help would be appreciated since we are new to the business.
Posted in Renting & Real Estate
Honest and sincere contracts need not fear scrutiny!
If you’re worried they’ll just cut you out of the contract and hire these guys themselves…then I’d say not to worry as long as they’ve signed the contract with you, that states they pay “such and such…$15K” for the job.
Tell them you’re like the middle man and this is how you make your money by coordinating the work out to sub contractors and it’s really none of their business what your contract states with these sub contractors. If you do decide that they could see the paperwork, then so be it. Then they’ll know how much you make. That’s part of being in business….to make money. You’re there to save them all the headaches and hassels and to make sure quality work is being done in their home.
As for his “right”? Sorry, not sure about that. SCORE.com, will have free consultants, possibly a lawyer who can tell you what the homeowner can and cannot do.
I think I’d tell the homeowner, that’s a lot of paperwork for me to dig up and it’ll cost you $100 a page. This should keep him quiet.
Best of luck there!
He has a right to see licenses & qualifications.
He has a right to see insurance e.g. public liability.
He has NO right to see financial contract between you and the contractors.
I would get out quick if you can he sounds like a bad customer.
Are the bills in his name, no…then he has no right, just wants to cut you out and hire the subs himself..Alot of people are like this and it makes me sick… Everyone wants something for nothing!
Depends on your contract with them. Something sounds fishy though.
Has the job already started? Is there a problem with one of the subs?
Technically they can ask for anything, but you don’t necessarily have to supply it.
Keep in mind that every job for a contractor is also an advertisement for future customers, so may want to be diplomatic about this.
I can tell you that when a customer asks to see your contracts with your subs, it’s usually the beginning of trouble.
Good luck.