Q: I am renovating an apt in Manhattan. My contractor made a major error by replacing a gas branch line.
After demolition, I discovered a gas branch line that obstructed passageway into a proposed hallway. I asked my licensed plumber if it was ok to relocate it higher. He said it's "no big deal", it's commonly done; we shouldn't have a problem because we are not touching the building gas riser. After the work was completed, the building architect came by and said I was in a world of trouble. The plumber should not have touched the branch line between the building riser and the meter. Now, the DOB will require that we do a pressure test of the building riser. The pressure test will likely fail due to the age of the building being nearly 100yrs. The DOB may then turn off the gas to the building until the bldg riser is repaired or replaced. What recourse do I have against the license plumber who should have known not to do this work.
A: Basically, on the given facts the plumbing contractor was in breach of the contractual duty to perform in a workmanlike manner. A demand letter should be issued to the plumber subtracting the amount of work you paid him for the unacceptable work and adding the amount that you will need to pay to correct it as the damages you are arguably entitled to recover from him.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
