Selecting a contractor can make or break a construction or remodeling project. Before you choose a contractor, be sure to check the contractor’s references and verify that the contractor is a licensed professional. (You can determine whether a contractor is properly licensed by searching the website for the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.)…
A leak in the roof of your home can cause extensive water damage that may go unnoticed for years before you finally discover the problem. Even a small leak can lead to mold, rot, and other damage in your attic, walls, ceilings and floors. Detecting a roof leak can be done with the help of…
If a supplier of materials, worker, or subcontractor is not paid, a lien may be filed against your property. If that happens, you could pay twice for the same work or, even worse, the lien could lead to a lawsuit seeking to foreclose your home. Thankfully, there are ways to protect yourself from having to pay twice.
Attorney fees are an important calculation in any dispute. While it may be worth a dime to recover a dollar, it is rarely worth a dollar to recover a dime. Often parties will anticipate the transaction costs of litigation and protect against them by including contract provisions for a “prevailing party’s” recovery of attorney fees. This can mitigate the cost of litigation, but also adds an element of risk.
Selecting the Contractor 1. Use your resources. Seek referrals from your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers, but DON’T STOP THERE. One good reference is not enough. Search for contractors on the Better Business Bureau website. Search for reputable contractors with the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Never forget…
