Sister-in-law lives in a 3-2 house with Mother-in-law.(MIL is 93.) SIL decided to have the kitchen and both bathrooms remodeled and replace ceramic tile in entry-way.
Contractor gave her a price and a 45 day time estimate. SIL signed a work-order to do the job. Work started approximate Feb 15. As of right now none of the items are complete.
Kitchen is about 95% complete. Master bath is about 40% complete. Ceramic tile in entry-way has been removed it needs smoothing before installing new tile. No work has been done on 2nd bathroom.
Basically no one ever shows up for work. The last time anyone did was July 3. As best as I can tell, when they did show, they would show about 2 days a week and then only partial days. SIL will be told they will be there to work on a given day, and then about 9 am she will text him asking for an ETA. Response is usually "on my way now, be there shortly." Then he is a no-show.
SIL says she paid everything except retention. (I have no $ figures or percentages). SIL thinks he wants to do the work, but is pathetic at time management. I suspect it is something deeper, like he is flat our lying when he says he'll be there or he has serious legal/financial problems. SIL wants to give him a short list of items he must finish, and then take the rest of the work to someone else. They are supposed to meet Monday, but I doubt he'll show.
I come on her behalf to seek the wisdom of the Surlys on what to do next, especially assuming he doesn't show on Monday.
On the "plus" side there are probably $1000 in tools in her garage and she knows where he lives.