Free Consultation: (509) 838-6800Tap to Call This Lawyer
Cassidy Mantor

Cassidy Mantor

  • Business Law, Intellectual Property, Communications & Internet Law ...
  • New York, Washington
Badges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Practice Areas
Business Law
Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation
Intellectual Property
Communications & Internet Law
Internet Law, Media & Advertising, Telecommunications Law
Construction Law
Construction Contracts, Construction Defects, Construction Liens, Construction Litigation
Fees
  • Free Consultation
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
New York
New York State Office of Court Administration
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Washington
Washington State Bar Association
ID Number: 38143
Placeholder image for jurisdictions.
Professional Associations
Washington State Bar  # 38143
Member
- Current
Placeholder image for professional associations.
Legal Answers
1 Questions Answered
Q. What recourse do I have if my contractor is unresponsive and work incomplete in WA?
A: This certainly is frustrating and unfortunately common enough that the Washington Department of Labor & Industries has a few search tools to help you decide what you want to do next when you have problems with a contractor. Find them here: https://lni.wa.gov/licensing-permits/contractors/problems-with-a-contractor/#Suggestions

The main issue here is whether they breached the contract or not. You had a contract and made a partial payment, they started performing the job and then stopped short of completion. This could potentially give you a claim for breach of contract where you might be able to recover some or all of your costs.

I would start by asking if you had a specific timeframe outlined in your contract with respect to completion. If there isn't a specific schedule, a couple of weeks of delay is inconvenient but might not be considered a breach of contract, especially if there's a good reason such as waiting for materials to arrive.

I'd next try to seek resolution by sending a letter stating what happened with your dates and payment and what is not complete, and asking for the job to be finished within a reasonable time such as 10 days. You have to send written notice before you sue them, and it's a way to give them a chance to fix it. Contractors may be busy and sometimes hard to get a hold of, but there should be some communication from them to put you at ease that they know the job isn't done and are taking steps to finish it. In your letter, you could demand assurances in writing that they do in fact intend to finish.

If they do not respond, you can treat that as an anticipatory breach of contract and file a complaint against them. This is a great guide to that process: https://lni.wa.gov/forms-publications/F625-088-000.pdf

Regarding your potential exposure to the hazards they created with an incomplete job, contractors must be registered with the Washington Department of L&I so whether yours is a general or special, they will have filed a bond and carry insurance. That insurance should cover them for negligence and other liability, so you would look to that as an option should anything happen.

Good luck! ... Read More
View More Answers ›
Contact & Map
Dickinson Law Firm
1020 N Washington St
# 3
Spokane, WA 99201
US
Telephone: (509) 326-0636
Fax: (509) 327-2773
421 W Riverside Ave
Spokane, WA 99201
US
Telephone: (509) 838-6800
Fax: (509) 744-3436
Download vCard