Legal Question in Construction Law in Utah

Small claims court - construction dispute

We hired a contractor to sheet rock our basement. He charged us $3000 up front and the contract stated $2250 upon completion.

They didn't complete the job all at once because the plumbing hadn't been finished, which they knew upon signing the contract. They asked for $2000 for the work they had finished, which we stupidly paid. Now that the plumbing is done, they won't come back to finish the bathroom or the trim and told us to ''deal with it ourselves'' - we have had to hire another contractor to finish the sheetrock which will be about $800 - $1000 - far above the $250 outstanding.

We hired them initially, even though they were more expensive, because they could get it done quickly. We are going to take them to small claims court, my question is, are they only liable for the additional money that we paid the new sheetrocker, or can they also be liable for the difference between what another sheetrocker would have charged us since they didn't finish the job as quickly as verbally promised (nothing in writing on the contract about time).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated - either on the additional funds or what would help us present our case effectively.


Asked on 3/17/07, 1:38 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Alvin Lundgren Alvin R. Lundgren, L.C.

Re: Small claims court - construction dispute

You are entitled to the difference between what they bid and what you actually had to pay.

Read more
Answered on 3/20/07, 10:56 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Construction Law questions and answers in Utah