Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

expired contractor's lic a valid reason from breach of verbal agreement?

Contractor/interior designer says she's a contractor mainly but charges 75 a hour for design. If you buy from her, design work is free. I say great,I need an interior designer to help pick out flooring, colors, bathroom surface treatments etc. and you have carpet at an ok price. I need to buy carpet so we are covered. But she is a disaster, wasting my time and energy and I don't want anything to do with her because I can't believe she is so incompetent. Last straw, she sends someone over to my house to measure for carpeting without telling me she was going to do it! She apologizes, saying, ''I didn't think anyone would be there! '' What makes matters worse is that I find out her contractor's license is just expired and not under the jursidiction of L and I... there is not a written contract, but a verbal agreement. My reasoning for not paying her for her design consultation fee charged because I'm not buying from her is that she caused a breach in our verbal agreement by not maintaining her contractor's license as it cast doubts into her ability and credibility to perform as a contractor.I believe these incidents are severe enough to cancel our agreement. Since she caused the incidents, her fault. Is this enough? In Tacoma


Asked on 4/24/07, 5:11 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: expired contractor's lic a valid reason from breach of verbal agreement?

Being a contractor without a license is a serious problem for this person. There is a website for L&I, you can review and contact them for a precise statement about her registration.

She cannot expect compensation for work done while she is without a license. Period. The Contractor's Registration Act is not subject to interpretation.

Before you decline to pay her bill, be sure that what she does requires registration. Her failure to maintain her license didn't cause her breach, but sounds as though it is a legitimate basis for your breach.

I'd need to know more facts to give you more than my opinion. I'd recommend that you contact L&I and see the dates on her license lapse and read the CPA before reaching conclusions.

Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell

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Answered on 4/24/07, 10:15 am


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