Legal Question in Business Law in Washington

roofers

Before we moved into our home in May 2007, the previous owners had the roof replaced. We noticed it was leaking above our wood stove in July. We contacted the roofers and after being given the run-around for many months, the came in Nov. to repair their work. They told me ''it won't leak any more, but if it does, call us and we'll fix it''. It leaked. We called, they wouldn't answer our calls. We contacted the state attorney general, they wouldn't answer his calls either. Now our woodstove is rusted and damaged, and the chimney is separating from the roof, allowing smoke into our home. We have a 6 month old baby. What are our legal rights? We have the contract in our possession. Thank you.


Asked on 2/24/08, 3:43 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Susan Beecher Susan L. Beecher, Atty at Law

Re: roofers

What your legal rights are is determined at least in part by what the contract says.

The longer the roof leaks, the more damage you are doing to your home in general. As a legal matter, you have a duty to mitigate the damage.

As a practical matter, these clowns seem disinclined to fix the problem, and if they did come to your home at this point, it is questionable whether they would do any better than they have been. If I were you, I would not want them near my home again. And you have a six month old baby.

What those last two paragraphs are leading up to is the suggestion that you get the roof leak fixed by another, more reputable company, and do whatever repairs are necessary to stop the deterioration. Then get estimates on the rest of the repairs needed to fix the damage done.

Then, find an attorney who has works with construction law to go after the roofer to reimburse you for what you have laid out and what you will need to spend to be made whole.

Not as a legal opinion but as a practical matter, I do not think there is any way you are ever going to get acceptable work from these guys. That you will have to get elsewhere, and chase these guys for money to pay your costs instead.

Good luck!

Read more
Answered on 2/24/08, 5:29 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Business Law questions and answers in Washington