Legal Question in Construction Law in California

Billing/payments

I recently bought a house that needed some work done. So i hired a contractor to some in and fix the bathroom floor, some drywall in the bedroom, etc. Small time stuff. Either way he quoted me a price and I said ok. Midway through the job he asks me for some payment, I agree and write a check to him for a portion of the bill. At the end of everything he calculates the total cost of all the work on a handy-calc (no written/typed bill and he says ''you owe this much''. It seemed correct so I once again write him a check. Then a few days later he claims that he forgot to ''add-in'' something and tries to bill me a third time. Is this legal? Do I have to pay? If so I have no proof he is not double charging me.


Asked on 3/12/08, 2:26 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Meyer Law Ofc. Of Michael J. Meyer

Re: Billing/payments

California law requires any work of improvement on a residence to be performed pursuant to a written contract - to prevent this very problem.

You should demand an itemized accounting of all charges.

If you feel that the charges are in excess of the original estimate, and you did not authorize the excess, you should contact a construction lawyer to create a plan for disputing those charges.

Read more
Answered on 3/12/08, 2:37 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Construction Law questions and answers in California