Reno / Contractor Question

I'm not sure if this is a question or a vent.

We are in week seven of our reno (full dormer), and we found out our contractor subbed out the electrical. I know MOST contractors do sub out electrical/plumbing/roofing because of insurance and licensing, but we specifically went with this large contractor because they told us that they only use their employees. I called them out on it, and they said...Well -- they only do work for us, so they are our employees. I find this to be really untruthful, and now am questioning other things i'm being told by them. (We had another big miss when they KNEW and designed in and charged us for roof ice shielding for solar panels but designed the roof in a way that solar panels will not fit- saying they never said they were experts in solar).

My question is - we are 1/2 way through the job, we are six figures into the job - WHAT recourse to I have at this point? They know I"m upset, but they have a majority of the money for the project - and it's not like they are going to hire specialties. Just feeling duped I guess.

Re: Reno / Contractor Question

What is the name on the electrical permit? Construction can be aggravating but think you are getting closer to the finish. I don't think you have any recourse unless a different name is on the permit.

Re: Reno / Contractor Question

Re: Reno / Contractor Question

I agree with sitting tight and seeing the job through, especially if it is a licensed electrician.

I think if you make a big stink now you may be shooting yourself in the foot.

DH is a contractor and for big jobs, it's not uncommon for 3 or 4 different things to be subbed out.

He does do sub work for only one main guy too and when that is the case, yes, he is considered their employee.

Renos are stressful enough, and big ones often take extra time too so why add to it?

Re: Reno / Contractor Question

I agree that I think you really just have to see the job through at this point. However, the really aggravating point to me is that they charged you for this ice shielding roof thing for solar panels but the roof is done in a way that means you can't have solar. And their answer is they aren't solar experts? That's obnoxious. Why are they putting this shielding on the roof if they know nothing about solar panels? Sounds like someone in the company messed up.

I plead ignorance on this topic but I'd be really unhappy about the roof thing.

Reno / Contractor Question

The error with the roof and solar is totally worth being upset over and I would probably look for something back from the company for that screw up.
As for their explanation about the electricians, I don't think they are duping you. It's probably true. My DH is residential builder in the hamptons. he only does 2 or 3 projects at a time and he has several subcontractors that hold all of their own insurances and licenses but they get enough work for the year just from my DH so they rarely take other jobs. My DH isn't a licensed electrician or plumber, those licenses are very specific and the permits for that stuff usually gets pulled separately only by someone with that specific license. I don't know of any electricians that hold licenses that would become an true employee even for a big company. It's not an easy license to get.
I think it's just a technicality that probably won't effect your project in any way. Good luck!