Legal Question in Consumer Law in Washington

Electrician Took Money, Never Performed Services

We were recently scammed for electrical work on our new construction home. We paid a $3k downpayment to a licensed electrician who had no prior violations. The electrician deposited our check, came to our house one day and unloaded some materials (~$300 worth) and made markings in the house (~1-2 hrs labor). He never showed up again. He told us via email that he had fallen on hard times and lost his car/home, and could no longer make it to our project. He has since moved from his address and does not return our calls.

If we initiate a suit against him, I am skeptical that we would (1) be able to locate him, and (2) be able to recoup enough $$ from him (assuming he is still unemployed) to outweigh our expenditure from locating, suing and collecting from him. Your advice would be much appreciated.


Asked on 1/27/09, 7:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thuong-Tri Nguyen Thuong-Tri Legal Services, PLLC

contractor should have bond

If the person is properly registered, he would have a bond from which you may be able to collect some money. To check, look up his name or registration number here: http://www.lni.wa.gov/TradesLicensing/Contractors/HireCon/default.asp .

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Answered on 1/27/09, 7:20 pm


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