written proposals

[ravi35]

We entered into a written proposal with a painting company to have our house painted. It is now been 6 weeks and they now want to paint the house. We have since changed our minds and do not want our house painted. The proposal does not state that we are legally binding to this nor did it give us a timeframe as to when the work would be done or that the proposal could be cancelled in a certain amount of time. Are we obligated to this proposal?

 

[Prairielaw]

No easy answers here. Ultimately it is going to come down to how hard the painting contractor wants to push it. It's possible that if the painter lost other opportunities to paint that they can not get back now, the painter could hold you liable for the losses. I would be talking to the painter on this one.

Law on, Kevin

------------------
Kevin O'Keefe
Founder & Fearless Community Leader
Prairielaw.com
"More people helping people with the law than anywhere."

 

[HomeGuru]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ravi35:
We entered into a written proposal with a painting company to have our house painted. It is now been 6 weeks and they now want to paint the house. We have since changed our minds and do not want our house painted. The proposal does not state that we are legally binding to this nor did it give us a timeframe as to when the work would be done or that the proposal could be cancelled in a certain amount of time. Are we obligated to this proposal? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The proposal may not be enforceable as a construction contract if it does not contain certain requirments pursuant to your State law. Such requirments may include total cost of the job, job specifications ie. prep work included, color of paint, how many coats etc., start date, completion date, when payments are due etc. Check with your State Contractors License Board and Consumer Protection Office on the specifics. Most states have home improvement or remodeling consumer statutes.