Legal Question in Construction Law in Washington

Building Official unethical behavior

A building department official in Pierce County has ignored our required and completed engineering and steered our client, to include providing information on another product, to another ''Alternative Building Method'' material manufacturer/contractor; re: exterior wall substitutions for conventional stick-built residential construction.

We have built in this jurisdiction before and have gained the favor of sevral other jurisdictions in Washington state.

Please advise. There has to be a legal remedy!

Thank you.

Disenchanted Builder


Asked on 10/06/05, 2:01 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Matthew King Wershow & Ritter, Inc. P.S.

Re: Building Official unethical behavior

I'm not sure if I understand the facts fully, but I would welcome an opportunity to discuss this matter further.

As I understand it, a Pierce Co. Building Official has convinced you client to change their specs (and thus the build) to include alternative materials, which will reduce the amount of the project you will be able to work on.

Assuming this is the facts, it is unlikely that the County Official can be penalized for suggesting alternative building methods. If, however, you can show that the official recommended a specific contractor, there migth be a violation of various statutes governing government officials. I would need to know more about the person, his capacity at the Building Dept. and other information before I could offer an opinion either way.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Read more
Answered on 10/06/05, 12:02 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Construction Law questions and answers in Washington