I hired a carpenter that I found online to build decking, pergola and some electrical work in my backyard. Contract was for about $12,000. The work was estimated for about 2 weeks. Payment broken down into 40%, 30% & 30%. Made a mistake, I didn't think signing up a contract was necessary. I have of course, the quote and the contract on email, along all communication.
Paid 40% right after the agreement, via online bank transfer. Then the guy disappeared, for 10 days. No pick up of phone calls or return calls. I thought, I'm done with my nearly $5000. Then the guy appeared with a friend. Worked for a few days and made some good progress. He would come once or twice a week and finish a bit of work. I was not really happy, and asked him to come regularly. He would say sure, I'll come tomorrow. And no show up. After lot of phone calls and messages, he would work half a day and disappeared. Or work a day and disappeared for weeks. Meanwhile I added a bit of work and paid the additional amount, about $650. He said decking is nearly done and asked for 30%. He was doing good job although irregurlarly. He promised that if I pay 30% then he will come regularly and finish the work in about a week. I paid 30%, and again he disappeared for more than a month straight. I got really pissed off and contacted the online service where I found him. They said, sure we'll talk to him. They were unable to contact him and delisted him from their service. I guess that ends their responsibility.
After trying on phone for hundreds of time he'd come and work for half a day or a day at max and disappear for weeks at a time. It's been 5 and a half months now and story continues. After requesting, begging & threatening for many many times, he will come and do a little bit of work. Looks like he doesn't want to finish it. He completed carpentry work on the decking and pergola. Roofing and electrical work is still remaining.
TLDR:
Met a tradie online. paid 70% of contract amount and he has finished about 60% - 70% of the work, imo. Doesn't look like he wants to complete. He is not asking for extra money. When I looked for another tradie, looks like I'm gonna be at a loss by about $2000 - $3000. Looks like they don't want to work on something started by somebody else.
How do I deal with this guy? What could be his intention? What options do I have? Fair Trading? I don't even have a signed contract. He has facebook page but hardly has any followers.
Your tradie hasn’t read nor practiced Zero Excuses/The Lazy Bastard book.