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    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


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    SEATTLE WASHINGTON BUILDING EXPERT
    DIRECTORY AND CAPABILITIES

    Leveraging from more than 7,000 construction defect and claims related expert witness designations, the Seattle, Washington Building Expert Group provides a wide range of trial support and consulting services to Seattle's most acknowledged construction practice groups, CGL carriers, builders, owners, and public agencies. Drawing from a diverse pool of construction and design professionals, BHA is able to simultaneously analyze complex claims from the perspective of design, engineering, cost, or standard of care.

    Building Expert News & Info
    Seattle, Washington

    A Sample Itinerary to get the Most out of West Coast Casualty’s Construction Defect Seminar

    May 03, 2018 —
    With so many worthwhile events stretched across three days, as well as wanting to get out and explore the many attractions in Orange County, California, Construction Defect Journal has come up with a sample itinerary that balances work with recreation. Day One: Wednesday, May 16th 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast at Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel) Meet up with colleagues at Disney’s Steakhouse 55 where you will find a more peaceful and upscale venue, perfect for networking or just catching up with friends. 10:00 a.m. - Madara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel With a free morning, this is the perfect time to take advantage of one of the Disneyland Resort’s pools or schedule a massage at the Madara Spa located within the Grand Californian Hotel. 11:30 a.m. – Grab and Go Lunch at The Coffee House (Disneyland Hotel) Refuel with a salad or sandwich from one of Disneyland Resort’s quick service restaurants. 12:00 p.m. – Seminar Registration and Schwag Hunting Start heading over to the seminar to register and be one of the first to check out the amazing exhibitors and grab the free items they have to offer. You don’t want to miss BHA’s golf challenge, where if you sink a putt you win a $25 Amazon gift card for yourself and BHA will match the $25 to the worthwhile WCC charities! 1:00 p.m. – Seminar Begins! The afternoon starts with a not-to-be-missed panel, “Struggles and Successes of the Past 25 Years.” Next, you’ll learn about “Unwrapped and Unraveled - An insightful (or inciteful?) play at the changing nature of the relationships between the parties in a wrap program who thought the wrap was supposed to take care of everything.” 3:00 p.m. – Afternoon Break Get a cup of coffee or water, and head out into the exhibit hall. Don’t forget to go to BHA’s booth to enter to win Dodger tickets. 3:30 p.m. – Seminar Panels Continue The seminar returns with two more amazing panels: “East Coast Meets West Coast –Hot Construction Defect Issues and Coverage Cases from the Other Coast” and “How to Conduct Your Claim Investigation and Early Claims Handling To Avoid Bad Faith Traps.” 6:00 p.m. – Attend an After Party After taking a few minutes to unwind and freshen up, go and network as well as have some at one of the reception’s thrown by attending firms. No after party? Head over to the Uva Bar at Downtown Disney for a cocktail and some people watching. 8:00 p.m. - Late Dinner at Catal Restaurant (Downtown Disney) Enjoy a relaxing and sumptuous meal at Catal in Downtown Disney, one of the famed Patina Group’s restaurants. Day Two: Thursday, May 17th 7:30 a.m. – Breakfast in the Exhibit Hall Take advantage of West Coast Casualty’s free breakfast, and peruse more exhibits. Check out BHA’s data process collection process and discover meaningful cost improvements that translate to reduced billing while providing superior accuracy and credibility. 8:30 a.m. – Seminar Panels The seminar returns with more panels you won’t want to miss: “Recent Important Appellate Decisions in California, Nevada, and Arizona” and “Litigating In The Western States - A Judge’s Perspective.” 10:30 a.m. – Morning Break Grab a cup of coffee or water and chat with your colleagues about the panels you just heard. 10:45 a.m. – Seminar Panel Another important panel to finish the morning, “Subrogation is not the type of intervention I need. How a subrogated insurer affects construction defect matters.” 11:45 a.m. – Award Presentation Find out this year’s winners of the Ollie, Legend of the Era and Silver Stars. 12:15 p.m. – WCC Luncheon Network and chat with your colleagues at one of the meals provided by the seminar. 1:30 p.m. – Seminar Panel Now that you’ve recharged, you’re ready for another incredible WCC panel: “What Comes Around (Sometimes) Goes Around: Dealing with Recalcitrant Carriers.” 2:30 p.m. – Afternoon Break Stretch your legs in the exhibit hall and get yourself more schwag. Learn about BHA’s expanding market presence and full range of services in Texas, Florida, and across the Southeast United States. 3:00 p.m. – Seminar Panels Continue Don’t miss the last two panels of the day: “Effective Use of Experts” and “Claims Managers Speak - A Retrospective & Prospective Discussion.” 5:30 p.m. – Cocktail Reception With your glass of Cabernet, network with colleagues and then try your hand again at BHA’s golf challenge to win an Amazon gift card and earn money for WCC charities. 6:30 p.m. – Hit the Pool or Jacuzzi Take those tired feet and soak them in one of the Disneyland Resort’s many pools and jacuzzi’s. Or schedule a spa treatment at Madara in the Grand Californian Hotel. 7:00 p.m. – After Party or Ball Game Now that you’ve given yourself some time to rejuvenate, you’re ready to meet up with friends and colleagues at one of the after parties and receptions. Or if you’re a sports fan and want a break from work, go cheer on the Angel’s as they play Tampa Bay. 8:30 p.m. – Uva Bar Unless you chose to go to the game, enjoy a late supper and cocktail under the beautiful southern California sky at the Uva Bar in Downtown Disney. Day Three: Friday, May 18th 7:30 a.m. – Breakfast at the Seminar Take advantage of another free meal, and take the time to check out more exhibits as the last day of the seminar begins. Don’t forget to enter BHA’s raffle for Dodger tickets! 8:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions I Choose between one of three breakout sessions: “Known Knowns and Known: Unknowns, the Ins and Outs of Extrapolation,” “Risk Transfer Alphabet Soup - A twelve year lookback on legislative tinkering with anti-indemnity statutes - where are we now?” or “Florida – Opening Pandora's Box and How to Close It.” 9:30 a.m. – Breakout Sessions II Three additional breakout sessions to choose from: “An Update on California’s Right to Repair Act, featuring McMillin Albany et al. v. Superior Court,” “Finding Evidence for your Coverage Case,” or “Northwest Insurance Coverage and Extra-Contractual Issues.” 10:30 a.m. – Morning Break Refuel with coffee or water before the next group of exciting breakout sessions begins. 11:00 a.m. – Breakout Sessions III You’ll want to go to one of these three breakout sessions: “Subcontractor Wars: The Last AI,” “Mediating the Luxury Single Family Home Construction Defect Case,” or “Creative Solutions to the Florida Problem: Making No Contribution and No State Law Work for You.” 12:00 p.m. – Breakout Sessions IV and the End of the Seminar The seminar closes with the last trio of breakout sessions: “Everyone is a Small Player,” “Real World Solutions to the Real Problems Presented By Wrap Up Programs,” or “When Mother Nature Attacks, Are you Covered?” 1:30 p.m. – Lunch at Corn Dog Castle in California Adventure Park OR Hollinghead’s Delicatessen in Orange If you’re a Disney lover, you’ll want to take advantage of the day by going to one of the Disney Resort Parks, of course. Get one of Disney’s amazing corn dogs at Corn Dog Castle in California Adventure Park.

    Or if you would rather explore the greater Anaheim area, then head over to Hollinghead’s Delicatessen for a homemade sandwich and a glass of beer on tap. 3:00 p.m. – Disney Entertainment OR Museum Exploring If you chose to go to California Adventure, check out the event schedule for the day. Catch the show Frozen – Live at the Hyperion or get a Fastpass for the Radiator Springs Racers and ride Soarin’ Around the World. If you purchased a two-park pass, don’t forget about Space Mountain or Star Tours located in the Disneyland Park. North Orange county has many interesting museums. Head to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana or the Muzeo in Anaheim. 7:00 p.m. – Dinner at the Blue Bayou Restaurant OR the Summit House Restaurant Have a one-of-a-kind eating experience at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland Park. Enjoy a dinner in the midst of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride! If you wish to remain in the California Adventure Park, try an alfresco dinner at Wine Country Trattoria or an indoor, upscale meal at Carthay Circle. After an afternoon perusing museums, enjoy a truly superb meal with attentive service at one of Anaheim’s premier restaurants, Summit House. Feeling like having some fun rather than a sedate meal? Head over to the House of Blues in Anaheim for their Party Like It’s 1999! A Prince Tribute Party. 8:30 p.m. – Paint the Night Parade/Together Forever OR The Blind Rabbit Speakeasy Head over to watch the Paint the Night Parade at the California Adventure Park or the fireworks display, Together Forever — A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular at the Disneyland Park. Be sure to check out the daily event schedule for up to date information. End your evening at Anaheim’s only speakeasy, the Blind Rabbit, located in the Anaheim Meat Packing district. Be sure to check out their “rules” and reserve a table at this popular spot. Read the court decision
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    After Breaching its Duty to Defend, Insurer Must Indemnify

    August 11, 2011 —

    In a brief decision analyzing Oregon law, the Ninth Circuit determined that once an insurer breaches its duty to defend, it must indemnify. See Desrosiers v. Hudson Speciality Ins. Co., 2011 U.S. App. LEXIS 12591 (9th CIr. June 21, 2011).

    The victim secured a judgment against the insured after he was beaten by another patron outside the insured's bar. Hudson Speciality Insurance refused to defend the insured, claiming the injury arose from an assault and battery, which excluded coverage.

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    Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Insurance Law Hawaii. Mr. Eyerly can be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

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    Florida Former Public Works Director Fined for Ethics Violation

    April 09, 2014 —
    Hiram Siaba, formerly Miami Lake, Florida’s public works director, has been fined for allegedly violating “an ethics ordinance that prevents public employees from doing business with former employers for a two-year period,” according to the Miami Herald. A few months prior to taking the job with the city, Siaba had worked part-time for Ballarena Construction. Siaba awarded Ballarena Construction “more than 10 projects that fell below the $25,000 threshold for awarding contracts without going to the Town Council for approval.” Ballarena had also been awarded a million-dollar youth center project, which “came to a halt last year” when town officials alleged that structural defects were discovered during an inspection. Miami Lakes is currently negotiating with Ballarena’s surety company to attempt to finish the project. Read the court decision
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    Construction Defect Litigation at San Diego’s Alicante Condominiums?

    March 25, 2011 —

    According to recent posts in the Alicante HOA website, construction experts and legal counsel have been retained. The HOA board has been informed that testing of a variety of the building’s components are underway or will begin in the near future.

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    Building Down in November, Even While Home Sales Rise

    January 17, 2013 —
    The Chicago Sun-Times reports that construction saw a small decline in November, the first since the spring. Happily, though this was the first dip in eight months, construction spending dropped only 0.3 percent, compared to October. The Sun-Times noted that the level of construction is well below what is considered healthy for the economy, while still being above the low of February 2011. While fewer homes (and other buildings) were built, sales of new homes were up 4.4 percent in November. Home purchases were at their highest rate in more than two years. Read the court decision
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    Court Requires Adherence to “Good Faith and Fair Dealing” in Construction Defect Coverage

    September 30, 2011 —

    The California Court of Appeals has ruled in the case of Allied Framers, Inc. v. Golden Bear Insurance Company. Allied had been sued in a construction defect case and its primary insurer had become insolvent. Coverage for Allied’s defense was paid for by the California Insurance Guarantee Association through June 8, 2006. When warned that CIGA’s involvement was ending, Allied notified Golden Bear, which declined to provide coverage.

    In the matters that followed, Golden Bear claimed that Allied had not exhausted its $1 million in primary insurance. Allied then showed that $1 million had already been paid out in the case. A few months thereafter, Golden Bear offered a $500,000 settlement on behalf of Allied which was rejected. Thereafter, Golden Bear hired new counsel to defend Allied. Golden Bear received, but allegedly did not pay, invoices Allied sent from their former counsel. Golden Bear finally settled the construction defect case for $2 million.

    Allied’s original counsel sued Allied for payment. Golden Bear declined coverage. Allied then claimed that Golden Bear liable on several counts, arising from its failure to settle the construction defect action earlier than it did and its failure to pay Allied’s counsel. Golden Bear demurred, arguing that Allied had now exhausted is coverage with the $2 million settlement. The lower court sustained Golden Bear’s demurrer, dismissing Allied’s complaints.

    The appeal court reviewed Allied’s seven complaints and sustained most of them. However, the court did reverse the trial court’s order in regard to Allied’s complaint that Golden Bear breached an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The appeals court was not convinced that Golden Bear properly evaluated the settlement demand in the underlying construction defect case. The court found three other ways in which Golden Bear’s actions might show bad faith, in refusing to pay defense fees “after promising [Allied] such costs would be paid in full,” “failing to advise Allied about ‘actual or potential negative consequences of agreeing to the proposed settlement,’” and that their choice of counsel “failed to protect [Allied’s] interests in the negotiation.”

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    Concurrent Causation Doctrine Applies Where Natural and Man-made Perils Combine to Create Loss

    January 19, 2017 —
    The Florida Supreme Court resolved a conflict between the District Courts in applying the Concurrent Causation Doctrine where there were multiple causes creating the loss. Sebo v. Am. Home Assur. Co., 2016 Fla. LEXIS 2596 (Fla. Dec. 1, 2016). After purchasing his home, John Sebo procured an "all risks" homeowners policy provided by American Home Assurance Company (AHAC). Shortly after Sebo purchased the property, water began to intrude the home during rainstorms. Major water leaks occurred. It became clear that the home suffered from major design and construction defects. In October 2005, Hurricane Wilma further damaged the home. AHAC denied coverage for most of the claimed losses. It provided $50,000 for mold. The residence could not be repaired and was eventually demolished. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Insurance Law Hawaii
    Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

    Toll Brothers to Acquire Shapell for $1.6 Billion

    November 08, 2013 —
    Toll Brothers is purchasing the home-building business of Shapell Industries for $1.6 billion. This will increase Toll Brother’s presence in California, where it has been building homes since 1994. After the acquisition, Toll Brothers will have about 9,200 lots in California, while it currently has about 4,000. Toll Brothers is not purchasing the commercial development arm of Shapell. Read the court decision
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