Legal Question in Construction Law in California

I have recently hired a company to refinish the floors in my house. In the process, the put a hole in my brand new walls. They want full payment immediately, however, I want to pay them half until the wall is fixed (which they agree is their fault and will pay to have fixed). I signed a contract stating that I would pay in full when services were completed (otherwise I would pay late fees), however, I feel that the damage to my house changed the original contract. Is this true? Can I pay half now and half upon completion of fixing the damage they caused without paying late penalties to the company?


Asked on 4/29/13, 5:53 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Nick Campbell Builders Law Group

Technically, you are only entitled to withhold 150% of the amount in dispute. So if the repairs caused by their negligence REASONABLY amount to $500, you could withhold $750.00 until the problem is resolved. Otherwise, if you wrongfully withhold any amount more than the 150% reasonably in dispute, you could be liable for a 2% per month penalty (plus court costs and attorneys' fees) on the improperly withheld balance. See, Civil Code section 3260.

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Answered on 4/29/13, 6:25 pm
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

My copy (2013) of the Civil Code doesn't show any section 3260.

I'd suggest getting a simple written agreement that if you pay the bill 100%, that they'll pay for the damages. The original contract isn't changed in any respect by the harm done to your property. Your claim for the damage done is independent of the contract.

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Answered on 4/29/13, 7:04 pm

Wow, not often I see two wrong answers from my colleagues. Mr. Campbell is not only wrong in his code citiation (the prompt payment statutes have been revised and moved to the sections in the 8800 series of the Civil Code), but also because they do not apply to floor refinishing, because it is not considered a work of improvement (no contractors license required). Mr. Whipple is wrong that you are not entitled to set off negligence damages against contract payments owed. You must, however, only withhold enough to pay for the damage if the company does not. If that is less than half the contract price you cannot withhold half the contract price. If it is more, then you can actually withhold more. Personally, I would not allow a floor refinisher to repair a hole in my wall. I would hire a licensed drywall, plaster and painting company to do the work right and deduct the cost from the contract payment to the flooring company.

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Answered on 4/29/13, 9:55 pm


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