BERT HOWE
  • Nationwide: (800) 482-1822    
    retail construction building expert Seattle Washington custom homes building expert Seattle Washington low-income housing building expert Seattle Washington institutional building building expert Seattle Washington custom home building expert Seattle Washington concrete tilt-up building expert Seattle Washington Subterranean parking building expert Seattle Washington parking structure building expert Seattle Washington Medical building building expert Seattle Washington high-rise construction building expert Seattle Washington condominiums building expert Seattle Washington structural steel construction building expert Seattle Washington landscaping construction building expert Seattle Washington hospital construction building expert Seattle Washington production housing building expert Seattle Washington office building building expert Seattle Washington townhome construction building expert Seattle Washington mid-rise construction building expert Seattle Washington casino resort building expert Seattle Washington housing building expert Seattle Washington multi family housing building expert Seattle Washington tract home building expert Seattle Washington
    Seattle Washington structural concrete expertSeattle Washington expert witness roofingSeattle Washington construction defect expert witnessSeattle Washington construction safety expertSeattle Washington structural engineering expert witnessesSeattle Washington expert witness commercial buildingsSeattle Washington architectural expert witness
    Arrange No Cost Consultation
    Building Expert Builders Information
    Seattle, Washington

    Washington Builders Right To Repair Current Law Summary:

    Current Law Summary: (SB 5536) The legislature passed a contractor protection bill that reduces contractors' exposure to lawsuits to six years from 12, and gives builders seven "affirmative defenses" to counter defect complaints from homeowners. Claimant must provide notice no later than 45 days before filing action; within 21 days of notice of claim, "construction professional" must serve response; claimant must accept or reject inspection proposal or settlement offer within 30 days; within 14 days following inspection, construction pro must serve written offer to remedy/compromise/settle; claimant can reject all offers; statutes of limitations are tolled until 60 days after period of time during which filing of action is barred under section 3 of the act. This law applies to single-family dwellings and condos.


    Building Expert Contractors Licensing
    Guidelines Seattle Washington

    A license is required for plumbing, and electrical trades. Businesses must register with the Secretary of State.


    Building Expert Contractors Building Industry
    Association Directory
    MBuilders Association of King & Snohomish Counties
    Local # 4955
    335 116th Ave SE
    Bellevue, WA 98004

    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10

    Home Builders Association of Kitsap County
    Local # 4944
    5251 Auto Ctr Way
    Bremerton, WA 98312

    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10

    Home Builders Association of Spokane
    Local # 4966
    5813 E 4th Ave Ste 201
    Spokane, WA 99212

    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10

    Home Builders Association of North Central
    Local # 4957
    PO Box 2065
    Wenatchee, WA 98801

    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10

    MBuilders Association of Pierce County
    Local # 4977
    PO Box 1913 Suite 301
    Tacoma, WA 98401

    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10

    North Peninsula Builders Association
    Local # 4927
    PO Box 748
    Port Angeles, WA 98362
    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10

    Jefferson County Home Builders Association
    Local # 4947
    PO Box 1399
    Port Hadlock, WA 98339

    Seattle Washington Building Expert 10/ 10


    Building Expert News and Information
    For Seattle Washington


    Insurance for Defective Construction Now in Third Edition

    Newmeyer & Dillion Announces New Partner Bahaar Cadambi

    No Subrogation, Contribution Rights for Carrier Defending Construction Defect Claim

    Manhattan Home Prices Jump to a Record as Buyers Compete

    Hawaii Court of Appeals Affirms Broker's Liability for Failure to Renew Coverage

    Wendel Rosen Attorneys Named as Fellows of the Construction Lawyers Society of America

    Insurance Coverage Litigation Section to Present at Hawaii State Bar Convention

    Texas Approves Law Ensuring Fair and Open Competition

    Newport Beach Attorneys John Toohey and Nick Rodriguez Receive Full Defense Verdict

    Get Creative to Solve Your Construction Company's Staffing Challenges

    Wyoming Supreme Court Picks a Side After Reviewing the Sutton Rule

    California Bid Protests: Responsiveness and Materiality

    CSLB’s Military Application Assistance Program

    Opoplan Introduces Generative AI Tools for Home-Building

    Housing Starts in U.S. Slumped More Than Forecast in March

    Millennium’s Englander Buys $71.3 Million Manhattan Co-Op

    Coverage Denied for Ensuing Loss After Foundation Damage

    Deadlines. . . They’re Important. Project Owner Risks Losing Claim By Failing to Timely Identify “Doe” Defendant

    Judgment Proof: Reducing Litigation Exposure with Litigation Risk Insurance

    Texas Condo Construction Defect Code Amended

    Can an App Renovate a Neighborhood?

    Claim for Vandalism Loss Survives Motion to Dismiss

    The Private Works: Preliminary Notice | Are You Using the Correct Form?

    Incorporation, Indemnity and Statutes of Limitations, Oh My!

    Subcontractors Have Remedies, Even if “Pay-if-Paid” Provisions are Enforced

    Are We Having Fun Yet? Construction In a Post-COVID World (Law Note)

    ENR 2024 Water Report: Managers Look to Potable Water Reuse

    Illinois Legislature Enables Pre-Judgment Interest in Personal Injury Cases

    Construction Defect Journal Marks First Anniversary

    Crews Tested By Rocky Ground, Utility Challenges

    BHA at the 10th Annual Construction Law Institute, Orlando

    Virginia General Assembly Tweaks Pay-if-Paid Ban

    Message from the Chair: Kelsey Funes (Volume I)

    South Carolina “Your Work” Exclusion, “Get To” Costs

    Will Colorado Pass a Construction Defect Reform Bill in 2016?

    Steel-Fiber Concrete Link Beams Perform Well in Tests

    Construction Contract Terms Matter. Be Careful When You Draft Them.

    Insurer's Refusal to Consider Supplemental Claim Found Improper

    Wildfire Insurance Coverage Series, Part 5: Valuation of Loss, Sublimits, and Amount of Potential Recovery

    EPC Contractors Procuring from Foreign Companies need to Reconsider their Contracts

    Additional Insured Not Covered Where Injury Does Not Arise Out Of Insured's Work

    Texas Walks the Line on When the Duty to Preserve Evidence at a Fire Scene Arises

    General Liability Alert: A Mixed Cause of Action with Protected and Non-Protected Activity Not Subject to Anti-SLAPP Motion

    Connecticut Grapples With Failing Concrete Foundations

    Time To “Construct” New Social Media Policies

    BHA has a Nice Swing Benefits the Wounded Warrior Project

    Federal Contractors – Double Check the Terms of Your Contract Before Performing Ordered Changes

    Lockton Expands Construction and Design Team

    Don’t Put Yourself In The Position Of Defending Against An Accord And Satisfaction Defense

    Haight has been named a Metropolitan Los Angeles Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” and Tier 2 for Los Angeles and Orange County by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2022
    Corporate Profile

    SEATTLE WASHINGTON BUILDING EXPERT
    DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

    The Seattle, Washington Building Expert Group at BHA, leverages from the experience gained through more than 7,000 construction related expert witness designations encompassing a wide spectrum of construction related disputes. Leveraging from this considerable body of experience, BHA provides construction related trial support and expert services to Seattle's most recognized construction litigation practitioners, commercial general liability carriers, owners, construction practice groups, as well as a variety of state and local government agencies.

    Building Expert News & Info
    Seattle, Washington

    New Notary Language For Mechanics Lien Releases and Stop Payment Notice Releases

    January 21, 2015 —
    Thanks to Scott Wolfe, Jr. over at ZLien for bringing this to my attention: Effective January 1, 2015, the notary language required for Certificates of Acknowledgment – used by notaries for mechanics lien releases and stop payment notice releases in California – now require the following new wording to appear at the top of the notary certificate in a box:
    A notary public or other officer completing this certificate verifies only the identity of the individual who signed the document to which this certificate is attached, and not the truthfulness, accuracy, or validity of that document.
    Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Garret Murai, Wendel Rosen Black & Dean LLP
    Mr. Murai may be contacted at gmurai@wendel.com

    How to Prepare for Potential Construction Disputes Resulting From COVID-19

    August 24, 2020 —
    Every industry has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and construction is no exception. While construction work was deemed essential in some places, it has been limited only to pandemic-related projects in others. In the current climate, construction companies face a myriad new challenges, including concerns about health and safety, delays resulting from employee illnesses, supply chain disruptions and increased prices for materials, as well as contract delays or cancellations by concerned contract owners. Contractors must keep their employees safe and institute what could be costly best-practice measures, while facing potential claims from employees if they get sick due to a company’s perceived lack of response to the dangers of the coronavirus. Stakeholders in the construction process need to prepare for potential disputes and understand their rights and responsibilities. This includes understanding applicable clauses in construction contracts and subcontractor agreements as well as business interruption clauses and other provisions in insurance contracts. Stakeholders may need to seek professional counsel to help them understand their rights and responsibilities in potential disputes. Reprinted courtesy of Helga A. Zauner & Sonia Desai, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Ms. Zauner may be contacted at helga.zauner@weaver.com Ms. Desai may be contacted at sonia.desai@weaver.com Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of

    Manhattan Luxury Condos Sit on Market While Foreign Buyers Wait

    January 21, 2015 —
    Manhattan real estate agent Lisa Gustin listed a four-bedroom Tribeca loft for $7.45 million in October, expecting a quick sale. Instead, she cut the price this month by $550,000. “I thought for sure a foreign buyer would come in,” said Gustin, a broker at Brown Harris Stevens who is still marketing the 3,800-square-foot (353-square-meter) apartment at 195 Hudson St. “So many new condos are coming up right now. They’ve been building them for the past few years and now they’re really hurting the resales.” Mr. Gopal may be contacted at pgopal2@bloomberg.net; Ms. Carmiel may be contacted at ocarmiel1@bloomberg.net; Mr. Gittelsohn may be contacted at johngitt@bloomberg.net Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Prashant Gopal, Oshrat Carmiel and John Gittelsohn, Bloomberg

    Appraisal Ordered After Carrier Finds Loss Even if Cause Disputed

    April 04, 2022 —
    The court ordered an appraisal when the parties differed on the amount of loss to the dwelling even when the carrier contended the dispute was over the cause of the loss. Khaleel v Amguard Ins. Co., No. 21 C 992, Memorandum Opinion and Order (N.D. Ill. Feb. 11, 2022). The order is here. Plaintiffs home was damaged by wind and hail. A claim was submitted to Amguard for damage to the roof. Amguard found there was hail damage to the soft metal vents on the roof and estimated repair costs to be $3,815.16. Amguard found no damage to the roof itself. Plaintiffs contended there was additional damage to the roof. Plaintiffs demanded an appraisal. Amguard rejected the appraisal demand, claiming that the damage to the roof was due to wear and tear, and therefore constituted an excluded cause under the Policy. Plaintiff filed suit. After Amguard answered, plaintiffs moved for judgment on the pleadings. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Damon Key Leong Kupchak Hastert
    Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

    Managing Once-in-a-Generation Construction Problems – Part II

    April 03, 2023 —
    Part I of this series discussed the benefits of construction participants using alternative project delivery methods and properly addressing change order issues, rising costs and payment structure issues to manage construction during these uncertain times. Part II below explores the possibility that higher prices and steady consumer demand could lead to an increase in unscrupulous contractor practices—and how owners can mitigate that risk, managing the challenges posed by the unforeseen labor shortage and turnover in the industry and evolving your construction team for short-term and long-term success. Higher Prices and Steady Demand With the demand for construction projects relatively stable, contractors remaining in high demand and a surge in prices for construction materials and components, owners are under great pressure to accept less favorable construction terms. This has presented unscrupulous contractors with perceived leverage over owners and new opportunities to engage in questionable business practices and fraud. Although some contractors may seek to stretch the boundaries of a construction contract, other contractors are more deliberate. Falsifying payment applications and invoices to inflate labor or materials costs, billing for work not yet performed or materials not yet delivered to the project site and manipulating change orders are examples of illicit and fraudulent practices by contractors. Reprinted courtesy of Jeffrey S. Wertman, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of

    Catch 22: “If You’re Moving Dirt, You Need to Control Your Dust” (But Don’t Use Potable Water!)

    February 18, 2015 —
    Returning from an Oregon vacation this past Summer along I-5, I found frequent reminders of the extraordinary drought conditions prevailing across California. A grey smoky gloom blanketed the California-Oregon border from Ashland to Weed from at least five wildfires. The prediction of rains in the north state was more curse than blessing as lightning threatened to touch off tender-dry fuel in the forests and start more fires. Farmers tilling fields produced massive dust clouds. And under the I-5 bridge along the Sacramento River arm of Lake Shasta, the lake had receded to the original streambed. On NOAA’s Palmer Drought Severity Index, nearly all of California is listed as in a condition of extreme or severe drought, and the Governor has issued a Proclamation of Continued State of Emergency requiring water conservation measures affecting all California residents. Indeed, early August news reports indicate that hopes of relief from an El Nĩno year are waning. The State Water Resources Control Board’s Emergency Regulation No. 2014 issued July 15 mandates action to reduce water use and require larger water suppliers to activate their Water Shortage Contingency Plan. The emergency regulation will remain in effect until April 25, 2015 unless extended due to ongoing drought conditions. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Stephen McKae, Wendel Rosen Black & Dean LLP
    Mr. McKae may be contacted at smckae@wendel.com

    Personal Thoughts on Construction Mediation

    September 20, 2021 —
    Construction Mediation WorksAs I left a mediation last week at 8:30 at night, I realized something that I knew all along. Mediation works. Why does mediation work? For several reasons that I can think of. The first, and likely most important is that lawyers are expensive. In most construction cases, we charge by the hour and those hours build up, especially close to a trial date. A mediated settlement can avoid this sharp uptick in attorney fees that always occurs in the last month before trial. Therefore the earlier the better. The second is the flexibility to make a business decision. Commercial contractors and subcontractors are in a business, and they should be making business decisions. While one such decision can be to go to litigation; litigation is not always the best solution from a financial, or stress perspective. Construction professionals, with the assistance of construction attorneys, can come up with a creative way to deal with a problem and solve it. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of The Law Office of Christopher G. Hill
    Mr. Hill may be contacted at chrisghill@constructionlawva.com

    FIFA May Reduce World Cup Stadiums in Russia on Economic Concern

    July 16, 2014 —
    FIFA may reduce the number of stadiums used to host the 2018 World Cup in Russia on concern that their economic viability after the monthlong event ends. FIFA President Sepp Blatter said a day after Germany’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the final that a delegation from soccer’s governing body will meet Russian tournament organizers in September to discuss plans for the next edition. Blatter gave a mark of 9.25 out of 10 to an “exceptional” Brazil World Cup, which cost $11 billion to stage. The tournament is a difficult challenge for organizers, Blatter said, illustrated by construction delays at almost all of the 12 arenas used for the 64 games in Brazil. “The World Cup has taken such a dimension that the organization is hard work for the organizing country and also for FIFA,” Blatter told reporters at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium, where Germany claimed a fourth title and became the first European country to win the tournament in South America. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Tariq Panja, Bloomberg
    Mr. Panja may be contacted at tpanja@bloomberg.net