Legal Question in Construction Law in California
Is a construction estimate legally binding? It was emailed to us, we signed, scanned and emailed back and work was started and now completed. Invoice ended up being 10x the original amount. The estimate was very detailed and listed all work to be done and the total price. We have only paid a down payment so far, should we pay the rest?
1 Answer from Attorneys
That all depends on the wording of the "estimate." Generally, though, an estimate is just that - an estimate, not a fixed price. I have a hard time understanding how the final price could be ten times the original estimate, though. This suggests that the scope of work drastically changed. It could be, however, that the contractor was being unscrupulous and lured you into performing the work by an artificially low estimate. I'd contact the Contractors State License Board and have them look into this.
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