Chapter 6: Prior Work/Field Conditions

Chapter 6 of Quit Getting Screwed, by Karalynn Cromeens

Lioncrest Publishing

"Why did they sue me?" Linda from Super Paint Subcontractor asked me. "I'm the painting subcontractor; I had nothing to do with the issues with the drywall!"

Linda's company had been sued by a general contractor on a project they had already finished. The lawsuit claimed that there were substantial issues with the walls but said nothing about the paint being defective. Linda's company had only painted the walls; they did not install them. While I was reviewing the documents to prepare to answer the lawsuit, I found this statement in the subcontract agreement she had signed.

If any part of Subcontractor's Work depends upon the Work of Contractor or another subcontractor, Subcontractor has the duty to inspect the Work of the previous subcontractor and report any defects to Contractor. Subcontractor's failure to report the defect makes them Subcontractor's defects as well,