Legal Question in Construction Law in Michigan

Work never started

In July 2002, we contracted with a builder to complete our front porch. He has not, to this date, started the work. He had been slow to respond to us and has now stopped returning our telephone messages. The contract states that we have to pay a penalty if we cancel the contract. If we do cancel the contract we will have to hire another builder whose price will be higher than what was quoted alnost a year ago. What can we do?


Asked on 5/15/03, 12:41 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Patrick Tracy Patrick J. Tracy, Esq, P.E.,

Re: Work never started

It depends on what you've done already. If you have paid any money to the builder if you do not let him finish the job, you're probably out the money that you have already paid him. You also didn't state that there was any type of written agreement. The facts suggest that he has breached the agreement by not starting the work and completing it within a reasonable period of time. 1 year in most case would be reasonable for a project of this magnitude.

Pat Tracy

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Answered on 5/15/03, 1:01 pm


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