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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Collections and Construction Law for Texas on
Q: Is a Texas City entity required to act as surety for sub-contractors on projects under $50,000 with no Bond in place?

City of Princeton, TX awarded a contract for $49,720 (no bond required) to their vendor. The vendor hired my company to do the whole wireless project for $45,500. We completed the project and provided all the hardware. The city paid the vendor, the vendor has refused to pay us. The city claims they... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 14, 2024

No, a city is not required to act as surety for subcontractors. You have a valid cause of action for breach of contract against the person or entity you contracted with.

There are numerous things that could be in that subcontract to protect you from that person being paid by the City and...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Texas on
Q: PLACING A LIEN AGAINST A CONTRACTORS BUSINESS

I hired a contractor to fix my home after a Fire. He installed an HVAC System that the Ins company paid $18,000.00. THE STYSTEM WORKED FOR 3 WEEKS AND NOW THEY HAVE STOPPED ANSWERING MY CALLS. Can I put a lien against HIS Business? If so , whats the name of the LIEN that I need to file. PLease... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 11, 2024

No, there is no lien you can place against a contractor's business in this situation until you have first obtained a judgment in a civil lawsuit against the contractor.

If a new HVAC system was installed in your home, that system likely has a manufacturer's warranty. If the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law for California on
Q: Construction Law Litigation I am a homeowner and the plaintiff on a residential construction defect in California.

The contractor brought in all the subcontractors into the case.

Do I need to deal directly with the subcontractors or just with the contractor’s personal attorney and his insurance attorney?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

In a residential construction defect case in California where the general contractor has brought in subcontractors as cross-defendants, you will primarily deal with the contractor's personal attorney and their insurance attorney. However, there may be instances where you or your attorney will... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Banking and Construction Law for Colorado on
Q: I wrote out a painting bid proposal sheet and gave an estimate for work.to.be preformed. The bid asked for half pay

To start upon acceptance of bid. They called my business associate and said they accepted the proposal he then went down and got a check from the bank that wrote and signed the proposal for. He took the money and for the wro.g equipment for the job and pelht the rest of his money towards his... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2024

When a bid for a painting job is accepted and payment is made, the expectation is that the funds will be used as agreed upon - to cover expenses related to the job, such as purchasing the right equipment and materials necessary to complete the work. Misappropriating these funds, especially for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Banking, Construction Law and Business Law for Colorado on
Q: I wrote out a painting bid proposal sheet and gave an estimate for work.to.be preformed. The bid asked for half pay

To start upon acceptance of bid. They called my business associate and said they accepted the proposal he then went down and got a check from the bank that wrote and signed the proposal for. He took the money and for the wro.g equipment for the job and pelht the rest of his money towards his... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2024

In the situation you've described, where a business associate accepted a payment on behalf of your business for a painting job and then misused those funds, several legal and ethical issues are at play. Once a bid is accepted and a payment is made, the funds should be used as agreed upon in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Construction Law for Maryland on
Q: What does MHIC guaranty fund pay for?

Concrete sidewalk/steps/handrails installed - paid in full $3900. MAJOR issues with the work and home inspection deemed all of work unsafe. Every other contractor said all concrete had to be removed and redone - basically start from scratch. Total paid to redo - $7100. Filed claim and have... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 2, 2024

The regulations governing the adjudication of claims against the Guaranty Fund specify the formulas to be used by the Commission when calculating an award for actual loss from the Guaranty Fund:

Unless it determines that a particular claim requires a unique measurement, the Commission shall...
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1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law and Contracts for Delaware on
Q: Is original contractor responsible for paying if client hires another contractor to fix first contractors damage in DE?

Damage resulted from first contractor doing work. If client does not allow first contractor/their choice sub-contractor to do repairs, and instead hires a contractor themselves, is the original contractor financially responsible to pay new contractors fees?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 27, 2024

In Delaware, as in many jurisdictions, the original contractor may be held responsible for damages resulting from their work. If the work performed by the original contractor caused damage, and the client opts to hire another contractor for repairs, the original contractor could potentially be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law for California on
Q: I need a construction defect attorney

My property is 2 years old and till current having issues poor workmanship poor material quality etc

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 26, 2024

Under California law, homeowners who discover construction defects in their properties have rights and options for recourse. These defects can range from poor workmanship to the use of substandard materials. Given your property is only two years old and experiencing such issues, you may have a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for California on
Q: How to fight a fraudulent lien from a contractor

We filed against our contractors bond because he abandoned the job and his worked caused an injury and is faulty. He has subsequently filed a bogus mechanics lien and not followed the law for filing it.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 24, 2024

In California, if you're facing a fraudulent mechanic's lien filed by a contractor, there are specific steps you can take to fight it. First, it's important to gather all relevant documentation, including any contracts, correspondence, and evidence of the work performed (or not... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law and Contracts for Texas on
Q: I paid a contractor. He didn't pay a company. Can that company put a lien on my property?

I hired a contractor to do some dirt work on my property. I paid him via checks that all cleared. Now, 5 months later, the dirt company that he bought the dirt from, has sent me a letter saying that he did not pay them the final $1295 that he owed them. They say in their letter that they tried... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

The company that provided the dirt for your property may have the right to file a lien against your property if they haven't been paid for the materials supplied. However, whether they can actually do so depends on the laws and regulations in your specific jurisdiction. In some cases, lien... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law and Real Estate Law for California on
Q: What is our recourse for a property subject to a trustee sale with a valid mechanics lien in place?

The property is located in Orange County CA

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

In California, if a property is subject to a trustee sale and there is a valid mechanic's lien in place, the lien may still have priority depending on the timing of the lien and the deed of trust being foreclosed on. Mechanic's liens for work performed on the property can take priority... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law and Land Use & Zoning for California on
Q: Can an existing 1 story house be torn down and a 2 story be built? The new construction is blocking my ocean view.

Nothing of the existing structure was visible from my house. It had been this way since I bought my house in 1998. It is in the framing process now. Not sure about roofline. It is already effecting the best part of my ocean view. We are on opposite sides of a freeway. Not sure if I should have been... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 21, 2024

Based on the information provided, it is likely legal for your neighbor to tear down their existing single-story home and build a new two-story home, even if it impacts your ocean view. However, there are a few things to explore that may provide some recourse:

- Check if there are any local...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Contracts and Construction Law for Maryland on
Q: I inadvertently hired an unlicensed contractor. I'm unhappy with the work, but I haven't paid yet. What happens now?

I hired a Virginia-based company to repair a leak in my home. I asked if they were licensed to work in Maryland, and they said they were, but the document they provided me says "Out-of-state contractor (not for home improvement)," and neither the business trade name nor any of the... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Feb 17, 2024

Performing a home improvement without a license is a criminal offense in Maryland, and the civil courts will not enforce the contract for the contractor. In other words, the contractor cannot legally accept payment, or sue you if you don’t pay, so no, you do not have to pay. I would immediately... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Virginia on
Q: We had a home inspector who missed numerous things costing $4K to fix - how do we get $ from ther failed inspection?

The old owner had a low-budget handyman install a new shower surround and floor pan. It was install very poorly with no support in the walls for the panel seams, no support for the floor pan, and a loose drain. It took about $4k to have the shower disassembled and walls re-studded to handle the... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Feb 13, 2024

You need to review the contract with the home inspector very carefully. If you did not negotiate and modify the contract, it insulates the inspector from most if not all claims, and, when it doesn't insulate them, it limits damages to refunding your inspection fee. That will surely be. shock... View More

Q: Per PCC 10140 - it is very complicated and expensive to advertise every project in a newspaper and trade paper

How can we, a state agency, maintain compliance with this law without spending thousands of dollars? Can we print in online papers? We have around 4 or 5 huge construction projects to advertise a month. The ads run for between $950 to $3,000 per paper. We already have them advertised in Cal... View More

George W. Wolff
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George W. Wolff
answered on Feb 7, 2024

There are no published cases interpreting this statute, however the phrase "newspaper of general circulation" in section 100140(a)(1).

However, it has been defined as:

A “newspaper of general circulation” is a newspaper published for the dissemination of local or...
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Q: Per PCC 10140 - it is very complicated and expensive to advertise every project in a newspaper and trade paper

How can we, a state agency, maintain compliance with this law without spending thousands of dollars? Can we print in online papers? We have around 4 or 5 huge construction projects to advertise a month. The ads run for between $950 to $3,000 per paper. We already have them advertised in Cal... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

With respect to California's Public Contract Code (PCC) 10140, here are a few options state agencies could consider to reduce advertising costs for construction project bids:

1. Advertise online instead of print newspapers: The law allows publication of bid advertisements in a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law and Contracts for Ohio on
Q: I rented a skid steer and busted the oil pan and now they say they can put Charges on me for damages

Criminal intent is this possible

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 30, 2024

An Ohio attorney could answer best, but your question remains open for a week. Breakage or failure of rental equipment should not ordinarily result in criminal charges, unless they are claiming that intentional, reckless, or other form of unacceptable usage led to the breakage. An Ohio attorney... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law and Contracts for California on
Q: Client entered a signed/executed construction contract which he breached. What are the options for monetary loss?

Mid work the client stopped the contractual payments due to his stating of financial/loans delays on his part. Client then requested structural changes to cut cost delaying production time and creating loss of opportunity. After about 6 months of constant communication and proposed changes to the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 28, 2024

Under California law, when a client breaches a construction contract, you have several options for recouping monetary losses. First, you can send a formal demand letter to the client outlining the breach and requesting payment for the work performed and any other damages incurred due to the breach.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Construction Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Do I have any recourse for getting back money I paid to an unlicensed CA contractor who I fired for poor quality work?

I hired an unlicensed "contractor" on the recommendation of family members to do a bath and kitchen remodel. After paying him more than $10,000, I fired him because of the poor quality of the work he did on the bathroom remodel and the kitchen planning. The bathroom has to be completely... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 28, 2024

In California, hiring an unlicensed contractor can complicate the process of recourse for poor quality work. However, you do have options to pursue. First, you can consider filing a complaint with the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB), which handles disputes involving unlicensed... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Business Law, Construction Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: Do I have any recourse for getting back money I paid to an unlicensed CA contractor who I fired for poor quality work?

I hired an unlicensed "contractor" on the recommendation of family members to do a bath and kitchen remodel. After paying him more than $10,000, I fired him because of the poor quality of the work he did on the bathroom remodel and the kitchen planning. The bathroom has to be completely... View More

Dan Rowan Cortright
Dan Rowan Cortright
answered on Jan 29, 2024

In addition to what Mr. Arrasmith said, there are specific statutes in CA that provide remedies and civil penalties for those who have hired unlicensed contractors. These state that you are permitted to recover all money you paid to the unlicensed contractor regardless of whether you knew they... View More

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