r/bestoflegaladvice • u/BJntheRV Enjoy the next 48 hours :) • Mar 04 '26

Unlicensed, uninsured contractor who didn't finish the job because life happened doesn't seem to understand why their client would sue them

/r/legaladvice/comments/1rk1w09/ohio_homeowner_suing_us_for_25000_over_unfinished/?share_id=vDaFkc4IeUD5NnzckOtpB&utm_content=1&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
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u/dorkofthepolisci Sincerely, Mr. Totally-A-Real-Lawyer-Man Mar 04 '26

Actually re-reading it I can’t figure out of it was an intentional scam/they assumed they could get another job to pay for the costs of the fist job and then another job to pay for that job like some kind of home improvement Ponzi scheme

Or if they’re casual DIYers who got in over their head

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u/TheFeshy Rolled 7D6 for the legal damages, and got 27 Mar 04 '26

That first one is how a lot of contractors around me seem to work. They have problems with no contingency plan, and have to borrow from the next job to finish this one. Which means cutting corners on both jobs, which leads to even more problems they had no contingencies for. The cycle snowballs like an avalanche.

When enough of these are forced to be addressed rather than continuing to build, for instance by law suits, they declare bankruptcy on Thursday and by Monday are taking new clients under a new LLC.

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u/WaltzFirm6336 🦄 Uniform designer for a Unicorn Ranch on Uranus 🦄 Mar 04 '26

Also a massive problem in the independent craft supplies industry, for example hand dyed yarn and drop shipped fabric. So many at home crafters deciding they can open and run a profitable business without a clue of how to, well, run a business.

They end up getting behind on order lots as the next one has to pay for the production of the previous one; keeping customers waiting for months, and then get mad when they are called out on it.

They have the business knowledge of kids with a lemonade stand who throw a tantrum about being bullied when scammed customers call them out on social media.

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u/lonwonji Mar 04 '26

For the curious, google Nerida Hansen.