Powers Construction Group, Inc.

"After construction began, it became apparent that construction would not proceed according to the targeted schedule because selections were not made in a timely manner, and in some cases, the homeowners changed their minds after decisions had been made and work completed. The homeowners also made numerous changes and extras but when they realized the cost, money became an issue and they asked us to rebid items that had already been bid upon and accepted. In some cases, the homeowners asked Powers' subcontractors to do work without telling us, and they hired and paid their own contractors directly. At the homeowners' insistence, they moved in prior to final inspection on a temporary occupancy permit. Not long after move-in, the homeowners fired Powers claiming they would finish the project themselves. Even after being fired, Powers continued to work with its subcontractors to finish construction. To Powers' knowledge, all of Powers' subcontractors have answered the homeowners' calls - even after expiration of the applicable warranties - and only through litigation did Powers hear of the problems alleged in the member's post on this website. After repeated false promises of "closing dates" and payment by the homeowners, Powers was left with no choice but to initiate litigation to collect the balance owed to it and its subcontractors. It is common practice in the construction industry for any contract between the homeowners and a general contractor to include a provision stating that the general contractor (and its subcontractors) has exclusive access and possession of the property during construction, and that the homeowners are not permitted to communicate with the subcontractors. Communications from the homeowners must go through the general contractor only, and only when construction is complete does the general contractor allow the homeowners on-site to view the home for final inspection. In this case, the contract between Powers Construction Group, Inc. ("Powers") and the homeowners did not contain any such provision. Powers strongly urges all general contractors to include such a provision in their contracts with homeowners, and to strictly enforce the provision."