Construction Payment Standoff

Your kitchen remodel has turned into a nightmare. Contractor Mike Reeves claims you owe an additional $24,000 for 'unforeseen structural issues,' but you never approved these charges. Now he's threatening to place a lien on your house, potentially destroying your credit and blocking any future sale or refinancing.

Challenges

Survivors

Popularity

Difficulty

B1-B2

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Scenario Overview

Your Role

Homeowner who signed a $45,000 fixed-price contract three months ago

Conversation Partner

Mike Reeves, Owner of Reeves Construction LLC

Setting

Your half-finished kitchen. Exposed wiring dangles from the ceiling. Dust sheets cover incomplete cabinets. Evening light casts long shadows through plastic-covered windows.

Location

Your Home - 742 Maple Street

Learning Objectives

✓

Negotiate the additional charge down from $24,000

✓

Gather evidence of potential contractor misconduct

✓

Avoid having a lien placed on your property

About This Scenario

How It Starts

“Listen, I've got my lawyer drawing up the lien paperwork right now. $24,000 for the structural beam replacement and electrical upgrades wasn't some optional extra - it was absolutely necessary to bring this up to code. You've got until tomorrow to sort this out, or we're filing.”

This is how Mike Reeves, Owner of Reeves Construction LLC's greeting will start.

Practice Details

Scenario ID

#408

What You'll Get

🎯Real-world conversation practice
🤖AI-powered speaking partner
📊Instant feedback on your performance
🎓Learn from your mistakes

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