Say you called a guy and agreed to pay him a certain amount for a job he couldn't fix, is the man still entitled to be paid for his effort and labor?

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Ethical question?

Yes. Regardless if the job is fix or not the man is entitled to be paid for his effort and labor.

No. If the man couldn't fix it then he isn't entitled to his effort and labor regarding the job.

Other.

[LohrvsData]

What type of job were they doing? Carpentry? Plumbing? Electrical?

I ask because I've spent 22 years in the construction business. (I'm a contractor.) One thing people don't realize is that sometimes, a job is much bigger than surface appearances may suggest. For example, I might install hardwood floors in your living room, but I might not be able to finish because the foundation is sinking on one side of the room, and the floors aren't going to sit right until the foundation is leveled. Or I might install drywall for a large kitchen to find that the studs are half-rotted from water damage, and there's black mold that needs to be professionally removed before I can continue. (I've run into this one more times than you would think, especially in older homes.)

Of course, I'm not going to charge you the whole amount as if I've already done the whole job either. I'd probably just ask for what I charge for the work I've done thus far. I might even cut you a break on the labor.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Plumbing.

[LohrvsData]

Ah, plumbing, my dream job! (That was sarcasm, by the way! I hate plumbing jobs with a passion. It's why I hired my plumber to do it.)

I know the basics like how to unclog a toilet or how to connect pipes so everything's to my state's building codes, but I don't relish the idea of digging around in other peoples' shit and piss. (Don't laugh, I bet you don't like it either!) My plumber LOVES to talk trash to me about that!

[MotorcycleMan]

It sounds like he sold you on something he wasn't able to do. If that was something that he should have known up front, then I feel like he was either deceitful or incompetent, in which case I might give him something, but maybe not. Depends on the situation. If he started the work and then discovered a complication, that is a different story. He should still be paid for his time/effort, but you agreed to a price for a complete job which he was unable to do. A lot of it comes down to your agreement up front.

[Anonymous]

If someone claims they can fix something, and then it turns out they can’t, then they didn’t actually fulfill their obligation. Depending on the situation, some compensation could/should be considered for the time and energy spent. Again, this is in some cases.
I took my laptop into be repaired, and their sign literally said “we fix it, or it’s free.” They didn’t fix it. It was free.

[AviatorTom]

Depends on the details of the agreement. If you agreed to pay him for his effort, whether he was successful or not, then pay him. If, however, you agreed to pay him for fixing it and he didn't, he's not entitled to anything; you might give him a partial payment for his effort though, just to be fair, especially if he gave a reasonable effort to fix it.

[humanearth]

Okay, I used to be a contractor years ago. And I had a signed contract.

I had to hire a sub-contractor to finished the job I could not do. Just so I could get paid the full amount and not get sued.

Yeah, I lost money, but just think what would have happened if I refused to honnor my end of the deal.

Being sued
Loose my business licence
Reported to the BBB
Word of mouth travels fast

[DaveToo]

Any contractor worth his salt can fix whatever it is that you want to be fixed. Therefore, he should get paid. If for some reason he's unable to finish the job properly, then you have the option of not paying him until it's done.

[spartan55]

I'd still pay him, but I would negotiate a fair discount since he couldn't finish the job. I don't think it would be right to just stiff him.

[Belgie]

Depends on the contract.

If he failed to deliver his agreed upon half of the contract (solved problem) then you don't pay.

[IAMNathanael]

I think not. He also agreed but couldn't deliver to what was agreed on.

He should fulfill his bargain before you fulfill yours.

[DWornock]

It depends on the agreement. If you agreed to partial payment or to pay him for his time, then yes. Regardless, unless he quickly determined he couldn't do it, it is likely you would pay him something to avoid a confrontation.

[Bluemax]

That would depend on precisely what both parties agreed upon before the job was started.

[joeldalton]

Yes, There are plenty of times when a technician can’t know the extent of what needs to be repaired. He/She spent labor trying to fix the issue, and at least stopped before they damaged more by their inexperience. You should pay them for their labor.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

All of the money?

[joeldalton]

Not all. So let’s say the guy’s rate is $150 an hour…. he’d be compensated for the X hours he was there.

[jahaims]

Why would he be entitled to pay. If I say I'm selling you a Dodge viper and give you a Corolla should you have to pay me for the viper?

[BlacktyBlaque]

Could he not fix it because of parts? Or he didn't know how?

[jimmy2]

This hapoen to me i let a white guy rebuild my porch. I told him the price, 500 let him use my tools and i bought the lumber

[IronsKev]

Yes time is a valuable resource

[anylolone]

Depends on the agreement between parties.

[007kingifrit]

depends on the wording of the agreement

[Bidensucks2020]

half