I just found out that my general contractor is not paying the subcontractors who are working on my house and they are not finishing the work...

Question

I just found out that my general contractor is not paying the subcontractors who are working on my house and they are not finishing the work. As the homeowner, I only have one final payment left to the GC,and doubt it's enough to cover all that he still owes the subcontractors. Should I pay the subcontractors directly and deduct it from the final GC payment, even though my only contract is with the GC? Should I offer to pay the subcontractors so that they will finish their part of the work? I live in Florida, it's 90+ degrees everyday. I still don't have a/c or electric finished and the contract states the job should have been finished in April, but it's now July. PLEASE ADVISE!

Answer

If they are not paid by the GC, they can file liens. You should only pay the GC, not the subs.