Contractor changing mind

What do you do when you have informed your contractor what you like to have done to your place. He agrees (verbally) than later changes his mind and said it is not do-able? This has happened 3 times now.


The contractor was recommended to me by the agent. This contractor had just finished work on my neighbour's property and as such I believe would have the 'local knowledge' of what can or cannot be done. The main work he agreed to do, he now says it will be 'unauthorised building works'. There is no formal contract. There is a quotation of prices for work to be done which was agreed upon with a small discount. The quotation listed the now 'unauthorised building works'.


Today, I went to the site and saw his workers erecting a wall when they should have dug further into the wall by not more than 1 1/2 feet (this is a basement) to provide for shelving purposes which 2 1/2 weeks ago he said can be done.


I know I am ranting but is there anything I can do? I think he's finding the job too much/difficult and since I inform him at the beginning I have a budget; he is now relegating on what he has agreed to do.


I suppose terminating him now will cause even further problems - he probably won't go easily; getting another reliable contractor within this locality will be difficult; firstly since times are good and contrcators are busy and secondly, I am sure these contractors will know each other.


Has anyone encountered such problems? Any advice or suggestions is really appreciated.