Pedersen Construction ripoff, contracted for home completion in 12 months, not done after 36 months Hesperia California

I also had a home unders construction by Pedersen Construction. After 3 1/2 years, my home was still not complete. I finally hired a lawyer and "fired" Pedersen Construction and hired another contractor to finish the job. I ended up losing about $20,000 in monies I had already paid to Pedersen, plus the additional money required by the new contractor to finish my house. My lawyer advised not to pursue legal action as Pedersen would probably file bankruptsy and I would be out not only the money for the house, but legal fees. I hope the man rots in jail.

Knowing nothing about the construction business, I had a lot to learn. First, I thought when a builder told you the house would take a year I could count off 12 months and move in. Now I know that even though a customer is warned that the building of a house may take 12 months (4-6 months when times are slow), the builder is not in control of how long it will take to get the land ready to start.It might need phone lines or electricity if away from other homes. Sometimes there is an engineering nightmare that can delay it for months.There's school fees, and road fees (is there a road?). You have to check for tortoise droppings and Joshua trees.Now it's the builder's turn and the 12 months start. Time for the subcontrators.There are some good ones out there.

Honest,fair,timely,proud of their work, and good at what they do. I haven't seen many of those. The majority are broke, so they need the builder or customer (depending on how it's funded), to "front" them the money to buy their supplies, or don't supervise their guys. The builder finds out after job is started, or maybe finished and no matter how carefully things are explained, or blueprints available, they've messed it up. And guess who's fault it is and who pays for it? Subs blame subs.The builder pays.More delays.Then 99% of customers that change their mind minor or major. More time.There's vandalism,copper wire,fixtures,or paint;someone steals and vandalizes. Even fenced and locked.This can happen 4-6 times with insurance companies;time.Any supply price hikes;comes out of builder's pocket.Somehow he's finished over 1000 homes and they're beautiful,while winning BEST BUILDER for 3 years.

He has depression,caught west nile,and never gave up.I see it differently now.I don't believe everything I read anymore.People can lie or not have all the facts.I thought I had them. The customer isn't always right. I know this now.I'm there now and see it myself.I'm his wife,and I'm glad I'm not the builder.Kimra