Basement Developer Recommendation

[kermitology]

Looking for anyone with recommendations for a project manager or general contractor to work with me to develop my basement.

I've got my BP, a layout and most things are already roughed in, and my wife and I are very decisive.

We found someone that we liked when we met with him as well as his trades, but it's been two months without actually getting a budget or any kind of commitment, timeline or plan for completion.

Any suggestions?

[kermitology]

No one?

[MolsonInBothHands]

We just had ours done by this guy:

Chad Leary
Heritage Fine Homes
www.heritagefinehomes.ca
info@heritagefinehomes.ca

He is now doing our neighbor's place. Very organized, meticulous, on budget, on time. He did our complete basement: bathroom, bedroom, storage/furnace room, wet bar, and games room, and other odds and ends around the house in two months, with minimal impact to our living in the rest of the house.

We highly recommend him.

[Nage Waza]

Calgary is still really sketchy with this stuff. There are some good ways to protect yourself , some of the posters here have provided good input on how to setup a pay schedule etc.

[MolsonInBothHands]

LOL. Actually that reminds me... this guy (Heritage Fine Homes) wouldn't take our money for the first month, until he hit some milestones. All very above board in getting the appropriate permits and inspections as well. It was actually pretty refreshing after dealing with the landscapers we had hired prior.

[OldDutch]

I would normally have recommended my guy as his work was very good and he was very reasonably priced.

However, and now for my advice, set up a pay schedule. Hold back 20% for 45 days after all work is finished. Be firm on this.

Reason is if the guy you hire, in turn hires a sub contractor. If you pay the guy, and the guy stiffs the sub, the sub can put a lien on you up to 45 days after they finish the work.

I had this happen to me. Luckily I got some great advice here, and also the guy didn't know he had 45 days to put a lien on so he was out of luck. I came really close to being screwed because the guy I hired tried to rip off his sub contractors.

The 20% is to get you in the clear. Another way is to ask to pay the subs yourself, but many guys won't do that as they pad the subs price so they get a cut. They don't want you seeing what they pay.

[Rjcsjc62]

Can you legally take more than 10% holdback?

[hungryhun]

Pm sent