Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington

Contractor that did a bad remodeling job and was unlicensed to do the plumbing and electrical work.

We hired a contractor to remodel our bathroom. The contractor checked out okay and gave us a good estimate. We added a couple small things like doing some painting (approx. 300 square feet), some minor tiling around the jacuzzi and wiring and hanging a couple lights and mirrors. The job was supposed to be finished in 4 days, a little longer for the extra stuff. It took them 17 days. They completely ruined the tile on the bathroom floor, tile uneven and not grouted property, tile around tub is crooked and uneven, sheetrock not properly fixed after cutting hole for thermostate....in short a mess and we are not happy. We paid them the original estimate plus tax but they are claiming that we owe them another 3 grand for the "extra work." When I asked how that could happen they told me that the contractor took the wiring and plumbing and classified it on our bill as "drywall, taping, painting", etc.; in effect lying about the work. I checked at LNI and he does not have an electrician's or plumber's license, even though we had requested a licensed electrician and plumber. Now they are sending nasty emails. They never did a walk through with us and they are telling us they will not fix the defects because they think they did a great job....even though I have pictures and videos to prove otherwise. I have been informed to go after their $10,000 bond. This has made my husband and I sick. We have had three more contractors come in who told us the bathroom was a mess. Can we sue for punitive damages too? We also found out they don't have workmen's comp and the guy is a convicted felon!


Asked on 1/12/12, 11:12 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Gary Preble Preble Law Firm, P.S.

Is he licensed and bonded? If not, do not pay him, and by law he cannot take you to court to collect.

Even if he is, get estimates for the repair and hold back the amount until the work is corrected to your satisfaction by another contractor. If the $3,000 covers it, great. You can then give him any left over. If not you could go after the bond.

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Answered on 1/19/12, 11:58 am


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