BERT HOWE
  • Nationwide: (800) 482-1822    
    industrial building building expert Seattle Washington parking structure building expert Seattle Washington tract home building expert Seattle Washington high-rise construction building expert Seattle Washington multi family housing building expert Seattle Washington townhome construction building expert Seattle Washington institutional building building expert Seattle Washington concrete tilt-up building expert Seattle Washington Subterranean parking building expert Seattle Washington Medical building building expert Seattle Washington housing building expert Seattle Washington retail construction building expert Seattle Washington mid-rise construction building expert Seattle Washington production housing building expert Seattle Washington custom home building expert Seattle Washington office building building expert Seattle Washington custom homes building expert Seattle Washington landscaping construction building expert Seattle Washington hospital construction building expert Seattle Washington casino resort building expert Seattle Washington low-income housing building expert Seattle Washington condominium building expert Seattle Washington
    Seattle Washington construction project management expert witnessSeattle Washington construction claims expert witnessSeattle Washington expert witnesses fenestrationSeattle Washington construction safety expertSeattle Washington multi family design expert witnessSeattle Washington construction forensic expert witnessSeattle Washington reconstruction 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


    Best Lawyers Honors Hundreds of Lewis Brisbois Attorneys, Names Four Partners ‘Lawyers of the Year’

    Construction Defects and Second Buyers in Pennsylvania

    There's No Such Thing as a Free House

    Preserving Lien Rights on Private Projects in Washington: Three Common Mistakes to Avoid

    Alabama Limits Duty to Defend for Construction Defects

    Is Privity of Contract with the Owner a Requirement of a Valid Mechanic’s Lien? Not for GC’s

    How to Get Your Bedroom Into the Met Museum

    Property Damage to Insured's Own Work is Not Covered

    Insurer Must Cover Construction Defects Claims under Actual Injury Rule

    Can a Non-Signatory Invoke an Arbitration Provision?

    Claims for Bad Faith and Punitive Damages Survive Insurer's Motion for Summary Judgment

    Transition Study a Condo Board’s First Defense against Construction Defects

    New Nafta Could Settle Canada-U.S. Lumber War, Resolute CEO Says

    The Unpost, Post: Dynamex and the Construction Indianapolis

    Newmeyer & Dillion Announces New Partner Bahaar Cadambi

    Steps to Curb Construction Defect Actions for Homebuilders

    Application of Efficient Proximate Cause Doctrine Supports Coverage

    Couple Gets $79,000 on $10 Million Construction Defect Claim

    Insured's Experts Excluded, But Insurer's Motion for Summary Judgment Denied

    Predicting the Future of Texas’s Grid Is a Texas-Sized Challenge

    Las Vegas Sphere Lawsuits Roll On in Nevada Courtrooms

    Exclusions Bar Coverage for Damage Caused by Chinese Drywall

    Quick Note: Attorney’s Fees and the Significant Issues Test

    While Construction Permits Slowly Rise, Construction Starts and Completions in California Are Stagnant

    Don’t Fall in Trap of Buying the Cheapest Insurance Policy as it May be Bad for Your Business Risks and Needs

    Contractor Disputes Report Amid Amazon Warehouse Collapse Lawsuit

    Homebuilding Held Back by Lack of Skilled Workers

    Why Construction Firms Should Think Differently on the Issue of Sustainability

    It’s All a Matter of [Statutory] Construction: Supreme Court Narrowly Interprets the Good Faith Dispute Exception to Prompt Payment Requirements in United Riggers & Erectors, Inc. v. Coast Iron & Steel Co.

    A Brief Primer on Perfecting Your Mechanics Lien When the Property Owner Files Bankruptcy

    Definitions Matter in Illinois: Tenant Held Liable Only for Damage to Apartment Unit

    California Fears El Nino's Dark Side Will Bring More Trouble

    Hovnanian Increases Construction Defect Reserves for 2012

    NY Appellate Court Holds Common Interest Privilege Applies to Parties to a Merger

    Do You Have the Receipt? Pennsylvania Court Finds Insufficient Evidence That Defendant Sold the Product

    Building Supplier Sued for Late and Defective Building Materials

    Consultant’s Corner: Why Should Construction Business Owners Care about Cyber Liability Insurance?

    Nailing Social Media: The Key to Generating Leads for Construction Companies

    Construction Employment Rises in Half of the States

    US Appeals Court Slams FERC on Long-Muddled State Environmental Permits

    Effects of Amendment to Florida's Statute of Repose on the Products Completed Operations Hazard

    How Long is Your Construction Warranty?

    Sales Pickup Shows Healing U.S. Real Estate Market

    Personal Guarantor Cannot Escape a Personal Guarantee By…

    Insured's Lack of Knowledge of Tenant's Growing Marijuana Means Coverage Afforded for Fire Loss

    In UK, 16th Century Abbey Modernizes Heating System by Going Back to Roman Times

    No Conflict in Successive Representation of a Closely-Held Company and Its Insiders Where Insiders Already Possess Company’s Confidential Information

    GIS and BIM Integration Will Transform Infrastructure Design and Construction

    Resurgent Housing Seen Cushioning U.S. From World Woes: Economy

    Miller Act Claim for Unsigned Change Orders
    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

    Hawaii Court Looks at Changes to Construction Defect Coverage after Changes in Law

    November 06, 2013 —
    A construction defect case lead at the U.S. District Court for Hawaii involved the insurer’s changed views on what was covered based on court decisions that came after the policy was written. John R. Casciano and Jessica L. Urban of Steptoe & Johnson LLP discuss the case on their firm’s website. They note that in Illinois National Insurance Company v. Nordic PCL Construction, Inc., Nordic built a retail building which soon afterwards had water leaks and property damage, due to alleged defects in the roof construction. Nordic had purchased comprehensive general liability and umbrella polices, with coverage that included property damage. Mr. Casciano and Ms. Urban note that “at the time of contracting, the Ninth Circuit had predicted that, ‘if the Hawaii Supreme Court examined the matter, it would rule that, for purposes of insurance coverage, construction defects were “not occurrences.”’” After the policy was written, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals did rule that “construction defect claims do not constitute an ‘occurrence’ under a CGL policy.” On the basis of this, Illinois National determined that they had no duty to defend or indemnify their client. Nordic made a claim of bad faith, but the court determined that “an insurer that denies coverage based on an open question of law does not act in bad faith, an insurer that actually relies on governing law, even if the insurer only belatedly learns of the law, cannot be said to thereby act in bad faith.” However, the court denied a summary judgment of Nordic’s claim of negligent misrepresentation, determining that there was “a question of fact as to whether the Policies covered [or were represented as covering] only damage to third parties caused by subcontractors’ defective work.” Finally, the court found that “a reasonable jury could infer that, at the time the Polices were issued, the insurers meant to cover claims arising out of the defective work” of Nordic’s subcontractors. They conclude that the Nordic decision “recognizes the varying consequences for coverage claims when post-contracting changes to the law may not coincide with the expectations of at least one of the parties at the time of contracting.” Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of

    Payne & Fears Recognized by Best Lawyers in 2025 Best Law Firms®

    December 03, 2024 —
    Payne & Fears LLP has been named to the 2025 Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list. This recognition highlights firms that demonstrate professional excellence, receiving outstanding ratings from both clients and peers. Payne & Fears has been ranked in the following practice areas: Metropolitan Tier 1
    • Orange County
      • Commercial Litigation
      • Employment Law – Management
      • Insurance Law
      • Labor Law – Management
      • Litigation – Labor and Employment
      • Litigation – Real Estate
    Metropolitan Tier 2
    • Las Vegas
      • Commercial Litigation
    Metropolitan Tier 3
    • Orange County
      • Litigation – Intellectual Property
    Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Payne & Fears LLP

    Appellate Court Reinforces When the Attorney-Client Relationship Ends for Purposes of “Continuous Representation” Tolling Provision of Legal Malpractice Statute of Limitations

    October 20, 2016 —
    In Gotek Energy, Inc. v. Socal IP Law Group, LLP (No. B26668, October 12, 2016), the Second District Court of Appeal held that rather than the date on which a client file is transferred to new counsel, the attorney-client relationship ends for statute of limitations purposes when, using an objective standard, there is no “ongoing mutual relationship” nor evidence of “activities in furtherance of the relationship.” (Emphasis in opinion.) Reprinted courtesy of Stephen J. Squillario, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP and David W. Evans, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP Mr. Squillario may be contacted at ssquillario@hbblaw.com Mr. Evans may be contacted at devans@hbblaw.com Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of

    Flood Insurance Claim Filed in State Court Properly Dismissed

    October 28, 2015 —
    The insureds' claim for flood coverage filed in state court was properly dismissed by the trial court. Rodriguez-Roble v. Am. Nat'l Prop. & Cas. Co., 2015 La. App LEXIS 1810 (La. Ct. App. Sept. 23, 2015). The insureds' home was damaged by wind, rain and flood water during Hurricane Isac. The insureds provided to American National what they contended was satisfactory proof of their claim. American National failed to make any offers to resolve the claim. The insureds sued in state court, seeking damages under the policy and penalties for American National's alleged bad faith in failing to settle or pay the claim. American National moved to dismiss, arguing that the state court did not have subject matter jurisdiction. American National further argued that under the National Flood Insurance Program, the federal courts had exclusive jurisdiction over the denial and adjustment of flood insurance claims. The trial court agreed that the flood insurance policy was governed by federal law. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Tred R. Eyerly, Insurance Law Hawaii
    Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com

    EEOC Builds on Best Practice Guidance Regarding Harassment Within the Construction Industry

    August 12, 2024 —
    In June 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance tailored to the construction industry concerning harassment in the workplace or at the jobsite. The guidance is important for construction industry leaders and employers to understand how to prevent and remedy harassment in the workplace — more than a third of all EEOC discrimination charges filed between 2019 and 2023 asserted harassment. The guidance represents the EEOC’s latest effort in executing its Strategic Enforcement Plan for Fiscal Years 2024 to 2028, which, in part, focuses on combatting systemic harassment and eliminating barriers in recruitment and hiring, particularly for underrepresented groups in certain industries, including women in construction, through the EEOC’s enforcement efforts. In this article, we highlight key principles and practices from this guidance Leadership and Accountability The guidance reiterates that consistent and demonstrated leadership is critical to creating and maintaining a workplace culture where harassment is unacceptable and strictly prohibited. Worksite leaders, including project owners, crew supervisors, and union stewards, are each expected to regularly communicate that harassment is intolerable through several suggested efforts. Reprinted courtesy of Abby M. Warren, Robinson+Cole and Christohper A. Costain, Robinson+Cole Ms. Warren may be contacted at awarren@rc.com Mr. Costain may be contacted at ccostain@rc.com Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of

    Court Again Defines Extent of Contractor’s Insurance Coverage

    November 26, 2014 —
    The ever changing landscape of insurance coverage for contractors continues to be clarified in Texas. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals applied Texas law in Crownover v. Mid-Continent Casualty Company, concluding that contractors do have insurance coverage to cover claims that a project was not constructed in a good and workmanlike manner. In this case, the Crownovers hired a contractor to build a house. The contract contained a warranty-to-repair clause. Shortly after construction was completed, cracks began to appear in the walls and foundation, and there were problems with the heating and air conditioning system. The Crownovers demanded that the contractor repair the problems and the contractor refused. The Crownovers brought an arbitration proceeding against the contractor and prevailed, obtaining a judgment that the contractor must pay for repairs to the foundation and HVAC system. The contractor then filed for bankruptcy and the bankruptcy court allowed the Crownovers to pursue their claim against the contractor’s insurer. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Craig Martin, Lamson, Dugan and Murray, LLP
    Mr. Martin may be contacted at cmartin@ldmlaw.com

    Will Superusers Future-Proof the AEC Industry?

    May 13, 2019 —
    Design professionals who leverage tools and technology and, at the same time, have people skills, are essential to the future of the industry. They are Superusers, the protagonists of the latest book by Randy Deutsch. Randy Deutsch is an architect, educator, workshop leader, writer, and international keynote speaker. I had a chance to interview him about his book, Superusers: Design Technology Specialists and the Future of Practice. First, I was curious to know why he chose this topic for his fourth book. He explains: “Right now, it made a lot of sense to focus on the individual, not focus on collaboration and building teams, and really define what each individual team member should be.” Who Are Superusers? IT, technology, and tool specialists are typically experts in a relatively narrow field. Designers, especially architects, must have a wider perspective. Superusers are design technologists; liaisons between business needs and technology solutions. They demonstrate certain skillsets and mindsets. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of Aarni Heiskanen, AEC Business
    Mr. Heiskanen may be contacted at aec-business@aepartners.fi

    Preparing the Next Generation of Skilled Construction Workers: AGC Workforce Development Plan

    November 08, 2017 —
    In August, Associated General Contractors (AGC) and Autodesk released the results of their 2017 Construction Workforce Shortage Survey. Of the more than 1,600 survey respondents, 70 percent said they are having difficulty filling hourly craft positions. Craft worker shortages are the most severe in the West, where 75 percent of contractors are having a hard time filling those positions, followed by the Midwest where 72 percent are having a hard time finding craft workers, 70 percent in the South and 63 percent in the Northeast. Tight labor market conditions are prompting firms to change the way they operate, recruit and compensate workers. Most firms report they are making a special effort to recruit and retain veterans (79 percent); women (70 percent), and African Americans (64 percent). Meanwhile, half of construction firms report increasing base pay rates for craft workers because of the difficulty in filling positions. Twenty percent have improved employee benefits for craft workers and 24 percent report they are providing incentives and bonuses to attract workers. Read the court decision
    Read the full story...
    Reprinted courtesy of David R. Cook, Autry, Hanrahan, Hall & Cook, LLP
    Mr. Cook may be contacted at cook@ahclaw.com