Legal Question in Business Law in Kentucky

Custom Furniture Project

Customer commissioned business to build 2 matching bookcases/entertainment centers. Agreed upon price was significantly lower than market value due to other work for customer had been performed. Prior to custom bookcases, we had built a custom mantel for same. Contract proposal stipulates that bookcases will match each other and mantel. Upon delivery of bookcases, customer says does not match and is asking for full amount (materials and labor) for entire job. We have pictures that show that the sunlight from a huge window manipulates the color depending on how much sun is coming through. The bookcases are slightly darker, but are in the same family and blend very well. Have had numerous others view photos with same response. Would like to know legalities regarding custom jobs as this one. We had to design the bookcases from scratch and took more than a year to build (on the side). The entire pieces custom joined with not a screw or nail in the entire project.

Please advise as to what, if any the customer would be entitled to for not wanting the bookcases after commissioning a custom job as such. This is a one man business/operation (privately owned).


Asked on 1/31/07, 9:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Philip Owens Philip M. Owens, Attorney at Law

Re: Custom Furniture Project

This is an unfortunate part of the business world. It is quite common for contractors of all kinds to do work and not get paid. Usually in most cases it is not because there was something major wrong but the dream and reality of the pocketbook do not match. If this was installed in a residence or other premises, you may be able to file a mechanic's lien but you only have a limited time to do so. You are going to have to force your client to pay you, probably in court. Consult a local attorney, if you do not have one, to contact your customer.

Read more
Answered on 2/01/07, 8:36 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Business Law questions and answers in Kentucky