Why Understanding Liens is Important Construction liens are a critical aspect of the construction industry, providing security for those who contribute labor, materials, or services to a project. Understanding construction...more
RCW 39.04.360, effective June 6, 2024, sets forth protections and assurances of payment for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers that perform undisputed changed or additional work on both public and private construction...more
Most construction contracts include provisions detailing how and when a contractor must provide notice of claims, or events that may lead to future claims, for additional compensation and/or time. These contract provisions...more
On May 9, 2023, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 5528, which limits the percentage of retainage withheld from contractors on private construction projects in Washington....more
Lien claims can pose serious challenges—and immense frustration—for any owner or developer of a private construction project, particularly for those wishing to refinance or sell the property. An owner with a finance...more
Owners and contractors should consider the recent Washington Supreme Court decision Conway Construction Co. v. City of Puyallup, which emphasizes the importance of carefully drafting, and following, a construction contract’s...more
In its March 11, 2021 opinion, Division Three of the Washington Court of Appeals considered whether the 90-day period to record a claim of lien is extended by a contractor performing work after substantial completion to...more
On February 11, 2019, Division One of the Washington Court of Appeals issued an opinion in the case of Woodley v. Style Corp. d/b/a Servpro of Shoreline/Woodinville, No. 77352-6-I (Wash. Ct. App. Feb. 11, 2019). The case...more
In Nova Contracting, Inc. v. City of Olympia, No. 94711-2 (Wash. Sept. 29, 2018), the Washington Supreme Court, sitting en banc, ruled in favor of a municipality on the issue of whether the general contractor complied with a...more
During Seattle’s current construction boom, general contractors and subcontractors may be concentrating more on finalizing work on their projects than on worrying about the niceties of their construction contract documents....more
On July 6, 2017, the Washington Supreme Court confirmed that the equitable rule announced in Olympic Steamship—providing for attorney fees where the insurer compels the insured to take legal action—applies to performance bond...more
Construction and Design Additionally, “contractor” was defined in the statute to include those who offer “to sell their property without occupying or using the structures, projects, developments, or improvements for more than...more