Bad Contractor Work - How to tell whether a plumber's, HVAC installer's or builder's finished job is up to code, what to photograph, what to say, and when to withhold payment, file a complaint or go to small claims #1012524

The plumber's truck has pulled out, the invoice is on the counter, and something under the sink looks wrong, or just different from what you pictured. You cannot tell whether you are looking at a shortcut or a perfectly normal installation, and you are not sure whether you are allowed to say anything. Bad Contractor Work is a plain-English guide for homeowners who need to judge finished plumbing, HVAC and building work, raise it fairly, and know what recourse exists if it is not fixed. It gives you two simple tools: the Four Tests, which show whether the job matches the contract, the code, the manufacturer's instructions and basic craftsmanship, and the Fix Scale, which sorts a problem into Cosmetic, Correctable, Redo or Danger so you know what to ask for. This is not a book about hiring a contractor, pricing a quote, claiming on a new-build warranty or suing a home seller; those are separate subjects. It starts at the moment the work is done, or nearly done, and you have a question and an unpaid balance. Inside, you'll learn: You do not have to become a tradesperson, and you do not have to win a fight. You need a calm method, a good file and a clear next step.