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    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


    War-Torn Ukraine Looks to Europe’s Green Plans for Reconstruction Ideas

    Hartford Stadium Controversy Still Unresolved

    Resulting Loss Provision Does Not Salvage Coverage

    Whose Employee is it Anyway?: Federal Court Finds No Coverage for Injured Subcontractor's Claim Based on Modified Employer's Liability Exclusion

    If You Purchase a House at an HOA Lien Foreclosure, Are You Entitled to Excess Sale Proceeds?

    A UK Bridge That Is a Lesson on How to Build Infrastructure

    Insurer Sued for Altering Policies after Claim

    Haight’s 2020 San Diego Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

    Checking the Status of your Contractor License During Contract Work is a Necessity: The Expanded “Substantial Compliance” under B&P 7031 is Here

    Nevada Court Adopts Efficient Proximate Cause Doctrine

    2022 California Construction Law Update

    Licensing Mistakes That Can Continue to Haunt You

    Drones Used Despite Uncertain Legal Consequences

    The 2019 ISO Forms: Additions, Revisions, and Pitfalls

    Repairs Could Destroy Evidence in Construction Defect Suit

    Touchdown! – The Construction Industry’s Winning Audible to the COVID Blitz

    James R. Lynch Appointed to the Washington State Capital Project Review Committee

    California Contractors: Amended Section 7141.5 Provides Important License Renewal Safety Net

    Type I Differing Site Conditions Claim is Not Easy to Prove

    Appellate Court Endorses Discretionary Test for Vicarious Disqualification of Law Firms Due To New Attorney’s Conflict

    California Supreme Court Upholds Insurance Commissioner’s Authority to Regulate Replacement Cost Estimates

    Caltrans Hiring of Inexperienced Chinese Builder for Bay Bridge Expansion Questioned

    Contract Change #1- Insurance in the A201 (law note)

    Employee or Independent Contractor? New Administrator’s Interpretation Issued by Department of Labor Provides Guidance

    Can’t Get a Written Change Order? Document, Document, Document

    Yet Another Reminder that Tort and Contract Don’t Mix

    Defense Owed to Directors and Officers Despite Insured vs. Insured Exclusion

    Eleventh Circuit Reverses Attorneys’ Fee Award to Performance Bond Sureties in Dispute with Contractor arising from Claim against Subcontractor Performance Bond

    Late Notice Kills Insured's Claim for Damage Due to Hurricane

    The Latest News on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

    Defects, Delays and Change Orders

    Colorado Supreme Court Rules that Developers Retain Perpetual Control over Construction Defect Covenants

    Construction Litigation Roundup: “Hold the Pickles, Hold the Lettuce?”

    Colorado Homes Approved Despite being Too Close Together

    The National Labor Relations Board Joint Employer Standard is Vacated by the Eastern District of Texas

    Trump Abandons Plan for Council on Infrastructure

    Ten-Year Statute Of Repose To Sue For Latent Construction Defects

    Texas Legislative Update

    New Jersey Senate Advances Bad Faith Legislation

    Labor Code § 2708 Presumption of Employer Negligence is Not Applicable Against Homeowners Who Hired Unlicensed Painting Company

    Restoring the USS Alabama: Surety Lessons From an 80-Year-Old Battleship

    Public-Employee Union Fees, Water Wars Are Key in High Court Rulings

    Construction Upturn in Silicon Valley

    Virginia Families Hope to Sue over Chinese Drywall

    Additional Insured Prevails on Summary Judgment For Duty to Defend, Indemnify

    Who's Who Legal Recognizes Two White and Williams Lawyers as Thought/Global Leaders in Insurance and Reinsurance

    Mortgage Bonds Stare Down End of Fed Easing as Gains Persist

    No Indemnity Coverage Where Insured Suffers No Loss

    The DOL Claims Most Independent Contractors Are Employees

    Traub Lieberman Attorneys Recognized as 2021 New York – Metro Super Lawyers®
    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

    Construction Law Firm Welin, O'Shaughnessy + Scheaf Merging with McDonald Hopkins LLC

    February 05, 2014 —
    According to a press release on PR Newswire, Columbus, Ohio law firm McDonalds Hopkins LLC is merging with firm Welin, O’Shaughnessy + Scheaf. McDonalds Hopkins LLC is “a business advisory and advocacy law firm with a more than 80-year history.” They are looking to expand their “Columbus presence” by the merger with “the boutique firm” that specializes in construction law, complex business litigation and oil and gas litigation. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of

    London Shard Developer Wins Approval for Tower Nearby

    November 05, 2014 —
    Sellar Property Group, developer of the Shard in London, won local government approval to build a 26-story residential tower close to the skyscraper on the south bank of the River Thames. The council for the Southwark borough voted in favor of the 148-apartment project, which also includes a 16-story tower, at a meeting yesterday, Sellar spokesman Baron Phillips said by e-mail. The project, like the Shard, will be developed in a partnership with the state of Qatar. Developers plan to construct more than 25,000 luxury properties in London worth more than 60 billion pounds ($96 billion) over the next decade, EC Harris said in an Oct. 7 report. The homes approved yesterday at the Fielden House site are expected to sell for about 800,000 pounds each, according to a filing by the borough. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of Neil Callanan, Bloomberg
    Mr. Callanan may be contacted at ncallanan@bloomberg.net

    How Will Artificial Intelligence Impact Construction Litigation?

    September 12, 2023 —
    In the first half of 2023, artificial intelligence (“AI”) caught the public’s imagination. Attorneys have not been immune from the fever-pitch of commentary regarding the possible applications. While early adopters have had varying degrees of success, commentators have proposed various potential impacts on construction projects and disputes. This article discusses potential areas where AI can assist in preventing and resolving disputes from the pre-bid stage through project completion and close-out. What is AI? Artificial intelligence entered the popular zeitgeist accompanied by both optimistic and pessimistic predictions about the future. Internet searches on AI exploded in December 2022, reflecting a rapid and widespread public interest in the topic. The term “AI” itself is often loosely used to refer to a machine or computer software with the ability to conduct machine learning.[1] Whereas “automation” is the simple process of computing inputs, artificial intelligence refers to the ability to learn without additional programming from a human being. Now, increased computing power is finally helping some of the potential applications of this technology come into focus. Nonetheless, artificial intelligence is still maturing and is subject to “hallucinations” where the technology essentially generates erroneous nonsense. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of Patrick McKnight, Fox Rothschild LLP
    Mr. McKnight may be contacted at pmcknight@foxrothschild.com

    Newmeyer Dillion Partner Louis "Dutch" Schotemeyer Named One of Orange County's 500 Most Influential by Orange County Business Journal

    January 25, 2021 —
    Prominent business and real estate law firm Newmeyer Dillion is pleased to announce that partner Louis "Dutch" Schotemeyer has been selected to the Orange County Business Journal's fifth annual "OC 500 Directory of Influence" list. The 2020 list recognizes the 500 most influential leaders who have made a positive mark on Orange County's business community over the last year. Located in the Newport Beach office, Schotemeyer's practice areas include, Real Estate Litigation, Construction Operations and Litigation, Business Litigation and Labor & Employment. Additionally he provides risk management and legal advice to companies without dedicated in-house legal counsel. A seasoned litigator, he leverages his litigation experience to advise clients, including C-Level executives, regarding potentially litigious situations that touch their business operations and his practice areas. "Dutch's deep knowledge and experience as in-house counsel has informed his business-first approach to complex legal disputes and made him an invaluable resource to the Orange County business community," said Firm Managing Partner Paul Tetzloff. "We are pleased that Dutch's contributions to the community have been recognized by Orange County Business Journal." Schotemeyer rejoined the firm in September after serving as Vice President and Associate General Counsel for William Lyon Homes, Inc., and Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Taylor Morrison. While at William Lyon Homes, he was named 2019 "General Counsel Rising Star" by the Orange County Business Journal. The full "OC 500 Directory of Influence" list was distributed in a special December supplement. About Newmeyer Dillion For over 35 years, Newmeyer Dillion has delivered creative and outstanding legal solutions and trial results that achieve client objectives in diverse industries. With over 60 attorneys working as a cohesive team to represent clients in all aspects of business, employment, real estate, environmental/land use, privacy & data security and insurance law, Newmeyer Dillion delivers holistic and integrated legal services tailored to propel each client's operations, growth, and profits. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, with offices in Walnut Creek, California and Las Vegas, Nevada, Newmeyer Dillion attorneys are recognized by The Best Lawyers in America©, and Super Lawyers as top tier and some of the best lawyers in California and Nevada, and have been given Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review's AV Preeminent® highest rating. For additional information, call 949.854.7000 or visit www.newmeyerdillion.com. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of

    Insurer Not Bound by Decision in Underlying Case Where No Collateral Estoppel

    February 25, 2014 —
    The Eleventh Circuit determined that the trial court did not err by refusing to give preclusive effect to findings made in the underlying state-court action because there was no collateral estoppel. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co. v. Sharif, 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 2114 (11th Cir. Feb. 4, 2014). Bashir's owned a grocery and was insured by Nationwide. The decedent was accidentally killed by a pistol stored under the cash register. The decedent's personal representative sued Bashir in state court. Nationwide declined to defend because it maintained that the employment exclusion applied to bar coverage. The personal representative argued two alternative claims, the first assuming the decedent was not an employee of Bashir's and the second assuming that he was. The state court granted a motion to dismiss the second claim that the decedent was an employee. In a subsequent trial, judgment was awarded against Bashir and another defendant in the amount of $950,000. 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

    More Musings on Why I Mediate

    November 18, 2024 —
    Whew! I’m back. And yes, I know it’s been a while (it has been a busy year, both personally and professionally). Hopefully, this will be the first of at least a few more consistent posts here at Construction Law Musings. Now, on with the post: Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a surge in mediation, both in my capacity as a mediator and as counsel for construction industry clients. These recent events have reaffirmed what I have always believed to be true, namely that no construction case is impossible to settle and avoid the cost and expense of litigation. I was also reminded of why I became a certified mediator and of the satisfaction that I get from helping individuals and construction companies find a business solution and closure. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of The Law Office of Christopher G. Hill
    Mr. Hill may be contacted at chrisghill@constructionlawva.com

    Federal Court Denies Summary Judgment in Leaky Condo Conversion

    August 04, 2011 —

    In the US District Court for Illinois, Judge William Hibber has rejected the request for summary judgment sought by the developers of a condominium building in the case of Nautilus Ins. Co. v. 1735 W. Diversey, LLC (the insureds). The insureds renovated a building at 1735 W. Diversey, Chicago, converting it into condominiums. After the project was completed and all units sold, and a condominium association form, one of the owners found that unit suffered leaks during rainstorms. The condo board hired a firm, CRI, to investigate the cause of the leakage. CRI found “water infiltration through the exterior brick masonry walls, build-up of efflorescence on the interior surfaces of the masonry, and periodic spalling of portions of the brick masonry.”

    The redevelopment firm had purchased coverage from Nautilus. “Shortly after the Board filed its first complaint, the Insureds tendered the mater to Nautilus and requested that it indemnify and defend them from the Board's underlying claims. Nautilus, however, rejected the Insureds’ tender and denied coverage under both insurance policies.” Nautilus stated that the water leakage did not constitute an occurrence under the policies. The court cited these policies in which an occurrence is defined as “an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions.” The Illinois courts have determined that construction defects are not accidents.

    The court concluded that the insured did not bring forth claims within the coverage of the policies and denied the motion for summary judgment.

    Read the court’s decision…

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    Reprinted courtesy of

    Construction Contractors Must Understand Retainage In 2021

    May 24, 2021 —
    Retainage has become a vital part of the contracting and construction process. If defined precisely, retainage is a practice of withholding a particular percentage of the payment until the project is delivered. However, the practice can turn to be a challenge for small contractors, as it is laid over a lack of trust in the potential and abilities of a contractor, which might cause financial downtime at the later stages of the project when contractors need to pay bills. Since 2020 proved to be a tough year for the entire construction industry, project owners, general contractors and construction firms new to the industry must understand what exactly retainage is. It is equally important for small contractors and subcontractors to understand the right way to manage the retainage. Reprinted courtesy of Ed Williams, Construction Executive, a publication of Associated Builders and Contractors. All rights reserved. Read the court decision
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    Reprinted courtesy of