Expert: Dick Dennis - 9/2/2006

Question
Hello, and thanks in advance.  I own a small audio visual company in Seattle.  I wired a new townhome for a builder I do consistant work for.  As this townhome was being built the contractor pre-sold the unit to a man and woman.  The new owners wanted an audio and video system in their home, so the builder referred them to me, since I was in the process of wiring it already.  I worked up an estimate that roughly came to $6200 and it included several pairs of speakers and flat screens.  They agreed to my proposal, though I don't know if I have a signed estimate from them...I'm looking though paper work to find it.  Prior to them moving in and the installation being done, they asked me to install the inceiling speakers so they could be painted like the walls.  Soon after installing the speakers, they fired the contractor accusing him of poor workmanship.  Apparently, they had already paid the builder in full for my $6200 invoice and it was suppossed to be part of their aggreement with him and included in the home loan.  Now they've reached a settlement with the builder, which allows the builder to walk away from the job and they are finishing the house themselves.  The builder is saying that his hands are washed clean of the job and he's not paying me anything since he made a settlement with the home owners.  The home owners are saying that the settlment was to repair damages made to the home and didn't cover my work.  My estimate and verbal contract was with the homeowners, not the builder, yet they feel they shouldn't have to pay me since they already paid the builder months before.  I don't care about the entire invoice, I just want to get paid for the work I've done and the products I've installed to this point, which is about $1600.  

Can you please tell me who is liable to pay me for the $1600 worth of products and services already installed in their home?  Also, what course of action do I have to get paid without mounting large attorney fees?

Thanks for any and help!

Answer
You really don't care, Glen. Just take the matter to small claims court and name the owner and builder as co-defendants, I would say for the full $6,200!

Let the judge decide.

Or, you can consult with a real estate attorney and have a mechanic's lien put against the property. I guarantee you will get paid fast.

I do wish you well.

Dick Dennis            dixiedee13@aol.com