# Is my mother being ripped off? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 24, 2002, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644 "2002-10-24T05:40:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/1 "2002-10-24T05:40:11Z")
You mean she didn’t get her cut of General Mombazi’s estate and her bank account was cleaned out? Damn those scamming Nigerians! ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/2 "2002-10-24T09:32:38Z")
“TK421, how come you’re not at your post?” Sorry. I had to do it. ---
**Author:** ![tk421](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@tk421](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tk421)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/3 "2002-10-24T19:55:07Z")
Hey, that’s Okay - I love when someone gets the reference! I’m a bit disappointed in the lack of constructive advice from this forum though… I thought for sure at least one person would be able to offer some insight… ---
**Author:** ![tk421](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@tk421](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tk421)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/4 "2002-10-24T19:58:49Z")
Maybe it’s because my original question appears to have been erased or something… where is it??? Well, in case it’s gone, the original question was this: How far over the cost stated in an original estimate can a construction contractor go once construction has begun before it becomes illegal? ---
**Author:** ![AndrewL](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@AndrewL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndrewL)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2002, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/5 "2002-10-24T19:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tk421 \* > \*\*I’m a bit disappointed in the lack of constructive advice from this forum though… I thought for sure at least one person would be able to offer some insight… \*\* That’s because your question got eaten by the hamsters, and nobody saw it. Try re-posting it. ---
**Author:** ![Mac\_Guffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@Mac\_Guffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mac_Guffin)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/6 "2002-10-25T00:55:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tk421 \* > \*\*Maybe it’s because my original question appears to have been erased or something… where is it??? > \*\* Which is why that quote is extra funny for those of us who get the reference…Your post is gone, Oh never mind… ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2002, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-my-mother-being-ripped-off/133644/7 "2002-10-25T02:09:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tk421 \* > \*\*Maybe it’s because my original question appears to have been erased or something… where is it??? > > Well, in case it’s gone, the original question was this: > > How far over the cost stated in an original estimate can a construction contractor go once construction has begun before it becomes illegal? \*\* Depends on the situation. You are offering relatively little useful information about the specifics of the situation and it is difficult to give a meaningful answer in this context. Assuming that a contract was signed, what did it specify as to the scope of work and mutual responsibilities involved? What are the reasons offered for the increases. What kind of work is being done? Specific laws about either written or verbal contractural relationships with contractors vary from state to state. What state are you in?