Top Knotch Construction

We signed a contract for above pool installation on 05/30/2021 and gave a deposit by check. During negotiations, I clarified three times that everything was included except for pool steps, as noted by the contractor on the contract in his handwriting. On 9/23, the contractor texted me and asked me to call him. I did so at 5:42 pm and he informed me it would be several thousand in additional costs and he denied that everything had been included. I fought it at first but he was aggressive and I gave in to save the project but later found that it was written into the contract too late. The install was scheduled for November. In October, he asked me to push back to May and said it would be easier for him and better for me as we would not have to winterize. Installation was scheduled for May 2nd via email and text by the contractor. On April 30th, he called and said he had to increase the price but could not give me a definite price due to rising gas prices. We did not have any more money saved, so I pointed to the contract and reminded him that he had already raised the price by thousand for items that turned out to cost a few hundred, and we agreed contingent upon there being absolutely no further surprise price hikes. He denied all of this and became aggressive on the phone and said he would dump the pool in my backyard and leave it. I pointed out that the contract does not have an escalation clause, so the contract price is legally binding and what he is doing is actually listed as fraud according to HICPA 517.8. We sent a formal letter via email asking him to install the pool at the agreed upon price before the permit expires in two weeks OR refund the deposit immediately so we can hire another contractor. He has ignored two emails asking for a resolution. We had to file a BBB complaint and a formal complaint with the Office of Attorney General. We will update when we get a resolution.

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