We had our mobile home moved to Maine on October 19, 2006. Our intent was to hire someone to build an addition on to the existing structure increasing the living space from 12' x 60 to 24' x 60'.
The mobile home hauler said he had done this kind of work before and it would be an easy job to complete.

We gave him $3,000.00 of ours to purchase materials. Which he brought to our property, we also purchased roof trusses with the dimensions he submitted. (another $2,500)

However, winter was approaching and he didn't start on the job.

In the meantime, while we were waiting for the addition to begin- we hired a plumber to replace the rusted washer hookup.

We got talking and he said he was a "carpenter" before he became a plumber and we shouldn't have to wait for the other guy to start working since winter is upon us.

We said we couldn't just fire the original guy --so we called him and he admitted he had overbooked himself and to "go ahead" with our plan to get the project started.

Keeping in mind when the new contractor finally started the job, (4 or 5 days later) he and one other person used the materials that we already had bought and paid for here on the premises.

A couple of days went by and he came with 2 men, a woman he had working with him in the beginning of this project was not with him any longer. She was replaced by these two men.

At the beginning of our agreement we gave him $10,500.00 "Building 12’ w x 60’ L addition to King (model) mobile home and interior work and plumbing changeover from copper to PVC at (our address)
Also, Misc. work at premises.”

That was on 12/6/06 -$500.00(and 12/7/06 $10,000.00) Then on 12/15/06 we gave him an additional $20,000.00.

To date he has received $30,500.00 and wanted another $10,000.00 on 12/29/06.

All we have is a paper that says we gave this man the money for services, and he signed it.

It is now January 1, 2007 and since beginning on 12/7/06 -They have put up the framework and had someone pour some cement for beam supports in the front of the trailer. They also enclosed the walls on the addition with chip board, there is no roof.

These guys said the existing trusses we bought were the wrong size and would build their own. These roof trusses are special order, custom made, so we can't return them.

A REAL carpenter, whom a neighbor introduced us to, said they were "doable" but it would have been better if they were just a foot wider. He said if they build their own, it will cost a lot more due to the "labor cost."

We told our contractor we would order the new trusses, he only wants them to be 6 inches longer than the existing ones.

We finally had a meeting with the three men.
That's when we were told they needed another $10,000.00. (that would total $40,500.00 they received with just nailing some sticks up that WE already paid for)...I said- "How much do you get for labor?" one said "$25.00 an hour."

They NEVER told us it was an hourly wage; he never really pinned down a quote until we had paid him the first $10,500.00. THEN he said I'm estimating high but the entire job will run about $60,000.00 from exterior to finish work.

I also asked for receipts. TWICE.

Finally, he gave them to me. Materials totaled (contractor said) $5,800.00 - I asked "Where is the $24,700.00 not listed in your materials?" He informed us that he had PAID his workers $10,000.00 a piece for the job!

I said HOW can you pay them money for hours they haven't worked yet? He said he "trusted" them. I said "Well I don't, I don't know these people and they have $20,000.00 and I have no building!"

Later, we took the receipts and calculated the amount. Only $5,507.96 could be accounted for...PLUS, he paid SOMEONE ELSE "on account" 1/2 price for mudding and taping. ($1,700.00) ...and he had told us "finish work" was HIS specialty!

In essence, there are 3 men out there with a lot of money of ours- two that have not produced the work for amount of money they were paid- and ONE who hasn't done a single thing and won't until "the end of January" supposedly.

We feel we have been taken for a major ride.
Any suggestions on how to handle this?
We told him, NO MORE expense account-- you tell us what you need, we will purchase it.

By the way there are 3 brand spankin' new ladders outside- totaling to $255.97 as well as a 25' tape measure that was included on our receipts. The ladders were not included on the receipt-- but it brings the total more accurately to $5,800.00 - $5763.93- The other $36.07? Maybe we bought lunch for them, too.

We are REALLY distraught. Any suggestions? We planned to retire in Maine. But, it looks like these guys will be able to retire on us!

You really need to contact a local attorney that is familar with construction law.

There are so many different requirements for contractor licensing or not, building codes or not, and state laws that someone needs to go over this with you and explain what your options are.

You are right, and I have just written a letter to an attorney here in town.

He was the lawyer we hired for the closing, when we purchased the property.

After "blowing off steam, I can think more clearly."

The only thing is, the locals who know this fellow, figure there is nothing left of our money and apparently even though we found him in the Yellow Pages he was virtually unemployed until we "suckers" came along.

It just isn't fair-- you know the expression "blood from a stone?"

It looks like we lose.