Mukilteo Construction Dispute Lawyers

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Construction Dispute Law in Washington

Construction contractors and landowners in Mukilteo, Washington sometimes end up in disputes when a project that the landowner contracted for doesn't go exactly to plan. Truth be told, in any significant construction project, a few minor disputes are almost guaranteed.

Usually, contractors and landowners can resolve minor disputes amongst themselves, without having to resort to litigation. Often, construction contracts contain built-in remedies for mistakes and delays that can be easily corrected, such as payments to the owner for every day the project is delayed.

Even if someone else needs to get involved to resolve a dispute, this does not automatically mean litigation is necessary. For example, the parties might attempt mediation, in which a neutral third party tries to help guide the parties to an agreement, but cannot render a binding decision himself. They might also agree to arbitration, during which a third party is able to render a binding decision. Arbitration is usually done through a private company, and may cost less than litigation, and is overseen by an arbitrator who is an expert in the relevant field.

Litigating a construction dispute in Mukilteo, Washington is definitely not something that anybody likes doing. However, it is sometimes necessary, as a last resort.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Mukilteo, Washington

Delays: If the contractor is culpable in a major delay in a construction project (a delay of weeks or months, for example), a lawsuit could result. If the contract specifically states that completion by a certain date is very important, or the builder has a good reason to know this, a court will often award the owner compensation for any economic harm caused by a delay.

Refusal to Pay: Disputes can also arise from a client's refusal or inability to hold up his end of the deal. Sometimes, once a project is complete, or nearly so, a landowner will express an unwillingness to pay the contractor for his services. There might be a variety of reasons for this - sudden loss of money, or dissatisfaction with the quality of the work are a few examples. It's rare that a client will refuse to pay a contractor simply because they don't feel like it (and if that is the reason, they'll usually come up with a better one to argue in court). In these cases, a court will sometimes have to decide if the client is obligated to pay the full price. If the work was, indeed, not up to the standards laid out in the contract, the contractor is not entitled to the full price, but is still entitled to the actual value of the work, even if it's significantly less than the contract price.

Subcontractors: Subcontractors are hired by general contractors to assist them in large construction projects, usually specialized tasks like installing plumbing. However, no matter how much of the work is performed by subcontractors, the general contractor (the one that the client actually hired to do the project) is liable to the landowner as if it were doing all the work itself. This basically means that, if a subcontractor messes up, the general contractor is the one who gets sued. But all is not lost in such a situation. If the general contractor has to compensate the owner because of the mistakes of a subcontractor, it can sue the subcontractor for whatever it had to pay to the landowner.

Mechanic's Liens: A mechanic's lien is a way for a contractor to secure payment if a landowner refuses to pay. In such cases, if the contractor sues and wins, he or she can sometimes impose a mechanic's lien on the property he or she just worked on. This allows the contractor to force a sale of the property to cover the judgment. It is usually used when other attempts to secure payment fail.

Can a Mukilteo, Washington Attorney Help?

If you have a construction dispute, you should first try to resolve it amicably with the other party. If this fails, it is almost always essential to hire a Mukilteo, Washington construction disputes attorney, who can advise you on the next steps in the process.

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Life in Mukilteo

Mukilteo WA is located on the shore of the Pudget Sound in Washington and is considererd one of the more affluent suburbs of Seattle. With a population just under 20,000 Mukilteo has small town charm. It is no wonder the Mukiteo was named one of the top 100 small towns of America to live in by Money Magazine. Mukilteo's strategic location is also the site of Washington State Ferries terminal, which serves as the link to several islands, including Clinton and Whidbey Island. Originally a trading village and popular point of entry for ships, Mukilteo's unique name means "good camping ground." Another noteworthy aspect of Mukilteo is the city's education. Kamiak High School, located in the heart of Mukilteo is considered one of the most expensive schools ever built in the U.S. In addition to having stellar public school and private school education, Mukilteo is also home to some fabulous lawyers, ranging in many specialties and trained to help their clients with any legal issue he or she may find themselves dealing with. Mukilteo lawyers are just one more aspect that makes this charming Washington city a great place to live and work.

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