Get free answers to your Construction Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I hired a licensed contractor who sent me their project manager (PM). I signed a contract 178K. First check went to the company. The PR told me to start writing the checks out to his name (I did, a total of 108K). After the first check to him I called the company to make sure that the PR was still... View More 
answered on Jun 19, 2018
It is not clear why you signed another contract with this company while your dispute remained unresolved. If you were making progress payments, it is also not clear why most of the work was not completed. You need to get out of a public forum and into a consultation with an attorney promptly.... View More
Hired contractor for full condo remodel. Contractor failed to use Home Improvement Contract. He provided a license number and listed a construction company that he said he owns with another person. CSLB shows contractor’s name is not on the license, and company lists zero employees. Is contract... View More
answered on May 11, 2018
The contract is void. A construction agreement entered into with a contractor who is not licensed in the state of California is an illegal contract and therefore void. It may also be fraudulent.
answered on Feb 23, 2018
Check your contract for an arbitration clause, but generally, make a claim on the bond, file suit, contact the Contractor's State Licensing Board. Of course get estimates and make repairs (at the evry least enough to keep from making things worse.)
We have a written document where it states we have a 20 year warranty. We have even talked to the project manager and he has said he’s on his way and he nor any workers have showed up at my home to fix the work. I’m not sure what my next step should be
answered on Dec 29, 2017
You can file a complaint with the State Contractor's License Board. http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/Filing_A_Complaint/
You can also retain an attorney for a lawsuit, but that takes money.
Owner, contractor, and HOA insurance all notified but each claim the other shares liability. What are my rights as a third-party claimant? My own insurance does not fully cover the loss. Someone else is responsible. I don't want to start reconstruction until I have money to reconstruct.
answered on Nov 20, 2017
Not sure what your theory is against the HOA - if there is one, they can be included in a lawsuit. Otherwise, you can sue the upstairs neighbor (and their contractor since you've already uncovered who they are). The insurance companies have a duty to try and settle a loss after liability has... View More
We are incurring huge electricity bills. We want a 4kw solar, it is our basis for buying the house.. But builder will not fix it, they will only give us a refund. But we dont want a refund. We want a 4kw since the cost of PG&E electricity in our city is higher that other cities. Only me, my... View More
answered on Nov 15, 2017
To some extent, your remedies will depend on the contract for the house. In addition to fraud and breach of contract, you may have actions for false advertising and under the unfair competition statutes. You have not said how long it has been since you bought the house - you should consult with... View More
We are seniors and wanted to know who our neighbors may be. Specifically children under the age of 10 and crying babies. Agent said he could lose his license for disclosure. Before we write a $800,000 check I wanted to know the general makeup of people buying in the complex. Construction of the... View More
answered on Nov 1, 2017
Don't blame your real estate agent. Housing discrimination based on age or family characteristics is illegal. An exception is developments specifically designated as older adult. If that is what you are looking for, look for such a specially designed place. Besides, your approach is short... View More
California Vehicle code section 40202 (a) states the peace officer or person authorized to enforce parking laws and regulations shall securely attach to the vehicle a notice of parking violation setting forth…..the procedure for the registered owner...pursuant to Section 40215, contest the... View More
answered on Oct 25, 2017
it is often frustrating being a lawyer and having a judge rule contrary to the law.
clients don't have the money to hire you to make a motion ordering the judge to follow the law.
every county, courtroom and judge has their own take on things.
you can always appeal the... View More
Had concrete and fencing project, unlicensed contractor walked off job in middle of project. I have a contract signed by contractor and have all checks I paid. What options do I have? I send text messages to him asking when he will be onsite, he says he is coming but never shows.
answered on Sep 7, 2017
Depending on your written contract, you can sue, or go to arbitration. If the contract provides, you can recover your attorney fees. You can also file a complaint with the Contractors State Licensing Board: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/
The cement block wall has been leaning for many years but only until top cover fell off was it discovered that they were never filled with mortar or rebar. The plans and permits show it should have been filled. One contractor I met with mentioned the original contractors "tail... View More
answered on Sep 2, 2017
No. There is a 10 year statute of limitations on latent defects. Also, although the wall deviated from plans, it would be hard to argue that a wall that lasted 60 years was defective.
A staff member has informally moved to evict me from a storage facility after numerous deflections of her advances.
answered on Aug 29, 2017
I would imagine that your rental agreement contains the rules pertaining to your stay, and that the Notice of Eviction specifies what contractual rules you are alleged to have broken. We could answer a lot more accurately if you would provide all of the facts.
The $9000 is for duct-work in the house, asbestos removal and insulation.
answered on Aug 29, 2017
Contact the State Contractor's License board and your local District Attorney's office and report the contractor for elder abuse. This type of conduct is a well known scam to prey upon the elderly.
We have given him the option to come look at it and or fix it but he now will not even look at it. he did a lot of work at the house on an hourly basis ( all checks were written to the construction company). We found out that the product was glued down and is not designed to be glued down. He used... View More
answered on Aug 21, 2017
Sue in Small Claims court and recover your actual damages up to $10k. Bring photos, receipts, contracts, cancelled checks or other documents necessary to prove your case.
Fatality on a project, I have been "asked" to come and answer questions from OSHA. My former employer is represented by 3 lawyers. Can I choose my own lawyer for which they still pay for?
answered on Jul 25, 2017
You'd pay for your own lawyer. Depending on whether any relevant legal statutes apply, you might be able to seek reimbursement for legal fees, but that is rare. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an... View More
answered on Jul 25, 2017
A home inspection is a building inspection of a home. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney such as myself. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media... View More
answered on Jul 14, 2017
You may violate city building codes. You may see defects in workmanship, depending on the circumstances. The contractor may be violating licensure laws and face serious legal consequences. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial... View More
Paid for a kitchen renovation in advance, poorly made cabinets, defected and refusing to finish the job after he was paid in advance.
answered on Jun 22, 2017
You can file a complaint with the Contractor's State Licensing Board and sue him. Check your written contract, as it may provide for arbitration instead of court suit. If so, the Board will probably wait until the arbitration is completed before taking action. Now you know not to pay in... View More
Contract that we both agreed on and the job was complete. The owners think they were getting a different product that was in the 1st proposal instead of the product in the last proposal. I don't think the designer showed or read over the new proposal since the contract total was the same. The... View More
answered on Jun 16, 2017
Your question raises several issues, which you should be prepared to discuss in a lawyer consultation. Of course, the lawyer will want to see the proposal and all written communications. Does the proposal contain an attorney fees clause? A mediation and/or arbitration clause? Did you have... View More
refusing to rebuild to make it the larger size we agreed upon. Can I refuse to pay the final installment of the bill or do I have to go to court?
answered on Jun 8, 2017
Is he licensed? Did you have a contract? More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media appearances/ publications on my... View More
got the bill, it was almost double the price. How should I handle this?
answered on May 16, 2017
You can report this to the CA contractor's board as a violation. More details are necessary to provide a professional analysis of your issue. The best first step is an Initial Consultation with an Attorney. You can read more about me, my credentials, awards, honors, testimonials, and media... View More
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.
