Legal Question in Legal Ethics in California

Hiring a handyman

I was recently taking bids for a handyman for my home.. I talked to one i was interested in and the next day he let me know he wanted 1/2 payment now and the other 1/2 when jobs completed....I decited not to use him ..He said it was a verbal aggrement and i could be held accountable in a court of law ..He wants to sue me for changing my mind to not use his services...Is this correct and or legal? So do i have the right to change my mind not to hire him due to him haveing a payment plan i dont agree with that i found out about the day after our verbal aggrement?


Asked on 2/11/06, 12:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

Carl Starrett Law Offices of Carl H. Starrett II

Re: Hiring a handyman

In order to have a legally binding contract, you need agreement on the major details of the contract and I would classify terms of payment as a major contract term. Although a small claims judge might disagree, I do not believe you had binding contract.

You didn't specify what type of work this "handyman" was going to do. Depending on the type of work and the amount of the contract, it might require a contractor's license. Any contract worth more htan $500 for handyman type work usually needs a license. If he doesn't have a license, the contract is void as a matter of law anyway.

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Answered on 2/11/06, 10:43 am


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