What happens when work stops midway

Why jobs stall

Most stalled jobs we are called in to finish stopped for the same reasons: the builder ran out of cash, took on too much work, or hit a problem they could not price.

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The owner is usually the last to know. Crews stop showing up, calls go unanswered, and the site sits open to the weather.

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Protect the site first

Before anything else, the building needs to be closed up against rain and cold. Water damage in an unfinished house spreads fast.

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The first things we check

• Is the building weather-tight?
• Are the permits still open?
• What has been inspected?
• What was paid for, but not done?
• Which trades are owed money?

Liens can follow the house

Unpaid trades can register liens against your property. Knowing who is owed what matters before a new builder takes over.

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Finishing someone else's work

We start with a full review: what was built, what was inspected, and what has to be opened up and checked before we build on top of it.

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How to avoid it

• Pay for work done, not ahead
• Ask for proof of payment to trades
• Check the builder's licence
• Get weekly written updates
• Keep a holdback until the end

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It can be finished

A stalled job is stressful, but it is recoverable. The sooner a new builder reviews it, the less it costs to put right.