Help with a stalled or troubled construction project.

Step one: establish the facts

• Document work in place with photographs and quantities, not opinions
• Reconcile payments made against work completed
• Inventory materials on site and paid-for materials off site
• Confirm permit status, inspections passed, and any expirations approaching
• Verify lien waivers received and outstanding subcontractor exposure

Step two: understand your position

• Contract remedies: cure notice, termination for cause, termination for convenience
• Bonding and insurance: is there a performance bond, and what triggers it
• Lien exposure from unpaid subcontractors and suppliers
• Warranty and responsibility for work already installed

Step three: plan the finish

Cost to complete is priced against a re-scoped set of documents, not the original contract sum. Replacement contractors price risk into unfinished work they did not start — expect that, budget for it, and select on capability rather than the lowest number a second time.

Common questions

Should I terminate the contractor?

Only after the facts and contract position are documented, and usually only after a cure opportunity. Termination done improperly transfers the legal exposure to the owner.