
answered on Dec 3, 2023
Filing a lawsuit against a county in California requires several specific steps. First, you need to determine the legal basis for your lawsuit. This involves identifying the specific actions or inactions by the county that you believe have harmed you and how they violated the law or your rights.... View More
On both Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Court websites, in the Small Claims information section, there’s a notation in small print stating you can sue the Registrar of Contractors up to $10,000 — What To Do When Your Contractor Won’t Pay (Plaintiff’s Small Claims Judgment against... View More

answered on Nov 29, 2023
In California, suing the Registrar of Contractors (ROC) directly in a small claims court for a violation by a building contractor is not a typical course of action. The ROC is a regulatory body, and their role is to license and oversee contractors, not to act as a party in contractual disputes... View More
In California, an apartment complex hired an outside contractor to paint the fence. The hired contractor negligently sprayed the fence without covering any cars along the fence. My truck is covered in paint overspray. The landlord is pointing fingers at the contractor to be liable, and the... View More

answered on Nov 22, 2023
Under California law, the primary responsibility for damages caused by negligence typically falls on the party who directly caused the damage, in this case, the contractor. Given that the contractor admits to the negligence leading to the paint overspray on your truck, they would be the first party... View More
The lump sum was based on unit price, can you ask for back up such as sub contract for the GC?

answered on Nov 18, 2023
Under California law, if you have entered into a lump sum contract with a HUD or RD rider limiting the general contractor's (GC) profit to 14%, but suspect they are making more, you have certain rights to review documentation. The lump sum based on unit price should have clear, itemized... View More
The lawsuit was sent as a text message and stated
“To whom this may concern,
This message is to inform you of the filing of an LLC for (JC construction) Your willful involvement in the forming of (J and C construction) is a legally binding contract and acceptance of all terms... View More

answered on Nov 14, 2023
In California, the enforceability of such a claim in the text message you received is questionable. Generally, merely learning a skill or technique from someone does not create an enforceable right for them to prevent you from using that skill, especially if it's a common method in the... View More
The lawsuit was sent as a text message and stated
“To whom this may concern,
This message is to inform you of the filing of an LLC for (JC construction) Your willful involvement in the forming of (J and C construction) is a legally binding contract and acceptance of all terms... View More

answered on Nov 15, 2023
Firstly, regarding the lawsuit threat:
1. Evaluate the Formality and Legitimacy: Typically, legal actions are not initiated via text message. Official communication for legal matters is usually conducted through formal channels like certified mail or legal counsel. The informal nature of a... View More
I have Bathroom remodel project x 2 that was to take one month (verbal) that is now into 4th month with no sign of completion due to day after day, and now weeks of no-shows, with a lack of communication. One bathroom completed with a few issues that still need to be addressed, and the other... View More

answered on Nov 2, 2023
If the contractor is licensed, you should be able to make a claim against his license bond. You can also file a complaint with the Contractors State License Board. If the complaint is well founded the CSLB can order the contractor to pay for your damages at the risk of suspension of his license. If... View More
I have Bathroom remodel project x 2 that was to take one month (verbal) that is now into 4th month with no sign of completion due to day after day, and now weeks of no-shows, with a lack of communication. One bathroom completed with a few issues that still need to be addressed, and the other... View More

answered on Nov 2, 2023
In California, if your contractor has failed to perform as agreed, you should document all communications and attempts to resolve the issues. Since the agreement was verbal, establishing a timeline of events is critical. You may serve a written notice to the contractor detailing the deficiencies... View More

answered on Oct 24, 2023
In California, when applying for a contractor license, applicants often rely on their work experience under a licensed contractor to satisfy certain eligibility criteria. If your employer refuses to certify your work experience, it may impede your ability to obtain your license.
However,... View More
I recently purchased a property in the state of California. Right before contract closed, I was disclosed that a purchase order for electrical work would occur on the property. This work was contracted out and paid in full by the previous management company/previous owners prior to closing. After... View More

answered on Oct 23, 2023
In California, a change order is generally an amendment to a construction contract, and the party responsible for payment is typically the party to the original contract. If you did not sign the original contract or the change order, you are generally not obligated to pay for it.
Text... View More
I own a legal duplex (in the title) that has 2 unpermitted units. One of the previous owners created those 2 unpermitted units from one of the duplex's interiors a long long time ago and rented them out. The previous owner (the one who sold the property to me) went through tenant relocation... View More

answered on Oct 15, 2023
California's SB 330, also known as the Housing Crisis Act of 2019, aims to expedite housing production and prevent the loss of existing housing stock. Under SB 330, local agencies are restricted from reducing the number of housing units on a property, even if some units are unpermitted.... View More
My home remodel is $250k. The contractor is asking for $85k so they can order rough materials upfront. I didn't think they could do that, as the legislation says "IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT PAYMENT FOR WORK NOT YET COMPLETED, OR FOR MATERIALS NOT YET DELIVERED.... View More

answered on Oct 12, 2023
Certainly. Under California law, contractors cannot demand or receive payment before the work is completed or before the materials are delivered. However, they are allowed to ask for a down payment. The Business and Professions Code specifies that a contractor's down payment for home... View More
Hello
My name is Jackie, and I represent [Company 1]. We urgently require legal counsel and representation. We would greatly appreciate it if qualified lawyers could review our case. If you believe you meet the criteria and can assist us, please get in touch.
Background:
On... View More

answered on Oct 9, 2023
Jackie,
Based on the concerns you've detailed, it sounds like there may be potential breaches of fiduciary duty, potential securities violations, and possible criminal activities. California law requires managers and directors of companies to act in the best interest of the... View More
Hello
My name is Jackie, and I represent [Company 1]. We urgently require legal counsel and representation. We would greatly appreciate it if qualified lawyers could review our case. If you believe you meet the criteria and can assist us, please get in touch.
Background:
On... View More

answered on Oct 8, 2023
Sometimes there is an overlap between civil disputes that can cross over into the area of criminal law. This very well could be one of those situations and depends upon specific circumstances. Typically, in a civil case the disagreement is about money, or a contractual dispute over terms agreed... View More
Project manager just stopped answering my calls. Left owner messages for 4 weeks with no response. 30% into project with a torn up backyard and hole in the ground and 0 movement work for 5 weeks they kept saying the issue was with a permit/engineering hold up. Research reveals they never filed the... View More

answered on Sep 22, 2023
Under California law, if you believe you've been a victim of contractor fraud, you should take the following steps to protect yourself:
1. Document all communication: Keep records of all communication with the contractor, including emails, texts, and voicemails.
2. Gather... View More
hired contractor to convert garage to additional dwelling unit and obtain patio cover permit which existed before I bought the house contractor offered to build new patio enclosed instead of obtaining permit of existing patio cover
with $35,000 higher qoute than other contractors. I signed... View More

answered on Sep 21, 2023
Under California law, altering a contract without the consent of all parties involved is generally not enforceable. If you successfully sue the contractor for breach of contract and win, you may be able to recover reasonable attorney fees if there is a fee-shifting provision in the contract or if... View More
Is there any OSHA or Labor law Against removing safety wires from 30+ ip security cameras hung upto 15ft high. I let my company know it's not safe because the bracket they want me to install is not compatible with the camera and the Alterations are not allowing the camera to be secured... View More

answered on Sep 13, 2023
California’s Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 obligates employers to provide a safe and healthful workplace for all employees. Altering safety equipment or installing equipment in a manner that is not secure could potentially violate Cal/OSHA requirements. If you believe that the... View More
The contract for the General Contractor (that we are subcontracted with on a public works project) in California has been terminated by the Owner. We have been gathering documents for the Surety company so we can get paid for the balance that is due to us. One thing that the Surety mentions is we... View More

answered on Sep 11, 2023
Civil Code section 9300 requires subcontractors to give a preliminary notice to the owner and the prime contractor before the subcontractor is entitled to assert a claim against a payment bond or serve a stop payment notice. The preliminary notice gives the owner and prime contractor basic... View More
The contract for the General Contractor (that we are subcontracted with on a public works project) in California has been terminated by the Owner. We have been gathering documents for the Surety company so we can get paid for the balance that is due to us. One thing that the Surety mentions is we... View More

answered on Sep 13, 2023
For public works projects in California, a "preliminary bond notice" typically refers to a preliminary notice to the surety on a payment bond. This isn't exactly a lien but a notice to the surety bond to protect your rights under the bond. If you're working on a public project,... View More
Customer refuses to pay me the remaining $22,000 he owes. It’s a solar system. It’s passed inspection. And approved by PG&E for use. It’s a $4 million home. The guy is loaded. Just being an a*****. Anyone taking anything on contingency? I don’t want to throw more money at this but if... View More

answered on Sep 10, 2023
I understand how frustrating this situation must be. In California, to enforce a lien on someone's property, you would initiate a foreclosure lawsuit in a court with appropriate jurisdiction; success in that lawsuit could potentially allow you to force the sale of the property to recover the... View More
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