Legal Question in Construction Law in Michigan

Pole Barn Nightmare

We hired a ''friend of the family'' I know bad idea but he was desparate for work and he is a builder and with the housing market we felt bad and let him build our barn. Vary bad. He is using ''friend'' as an excuss not to do the work timely or in the manner in which we described or agreed to. The three week process in into the 2nd almost 3rd month. We now are loosing our hay price out of field due to the barn not being done and we can not store it. We still have final pay off held until the barn is done, can I take off the cost of hay? Also, he didn't put about 1/2 of the fill dirt we agreed apon. Can I hold payment off until I FEEL he is done?

I am not happy with the work at all or the time it is taking. We didn't exactly sign a contract but can there be a breech if all we have is his quote and his word against ours, seeing as the timeframe to build a pole is about 1 month start to finish. Most go up in a couple of weeks with out a bunch of finish work.


Asked on 6/17/08, 8:54 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Audra Arndt Audra A. Arndt & Associates, PLLC

Re: Pole Barn Nightmare

You would need to put something in writing to him outlining and confirming the terms of your agreement, and notifying him of his breach, and/or you concerns with the quality and speed of his work.

If you want to hire a lawyer to write the letter and negotiate with him to finish the work, please contact me.

Thanks.

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Answered on 6/21/08, 3:32 am


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