MECHANIC’S LIEN WARNING Anyone who provides labor, services, or materials to improve your property but is not paid may record what is called a mechanic’s lien against your property. A mechanic’s lien is a legal claim, similar to a mortgage or home equity loan, recorded with the county recorder’s office.
Even if you pay your contractor, subcontractors, suppliers, and laborers who worked on your property can still file a mechanic’s lien and take legal action to foreclose on the lien. If the court finds the lien valid, you may be required to pay twice or risk having your property sold to satisfy the lien. Liens can also negatively impact your credit. Furthermore, you, the client, shall be fully responsible for all fees associated with the lien, including but not limited to attorney’s fees, court costs, and any additional legal expenses incurred as a result of enforcing or resolving the lien.
TO PRESERVE THE RIGHT TO RECORD A LIEN Each subcontractor and material supplier must provide you with a document called a “20-day preliminary notice.” This notice is not a lien but serves to inform you that the sender has the right to file a lien if they are not paid.
BE CAREFUL. The preliminary notice may be sent up to 20 days after the subcontractor starts work or supplies materials. This can pose a problem if you pay the contractor before receiving all preliminary notices. You will not receive a preliminary notice from your primary contractor or from laborers directly working on your project, as they assume you are aware of their involvement.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM LIENS
- Obtain a list of all subcontractors and material suppliers involved in your project from your contractor.
- Verify when subcontractors begin work and when materials are delivered.
- Wait at least 20 days to receive all preliminary notices before making payments.
- Pay with joint checks: Issue payments as joint checks made payable to both the contractor and the applicable subcontractor or material supplier.
For more ways to prevent liens, visit the California State License Board (CSLB) website at www.cslb.ca.gov or call 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).
REMEMBER: If you take no action, a lien may be placed on your property, requiring you to pay twice or risk foreclosure.
THREE-DAY RIGHT TO CANCEL You, the buyer, have the right to cancel this contract within three (3) business days. You may cancel by sending a written notice via email, mail, fax, or personal delivery to the contractor’s business address by midnight of the third business day after receiving a signed and dated copy of the contract that includes this notice. Your cancellation notice must include your name, address, and the date you received the signed contract.
If you cancel, the contractor must refund any payments made within 10 days of receiving the cancellation notice. You must return any materials or goods received in substantially the same condition as when delivered. If the contractor does not pick up the returned items within 20 days of cancellation, you may keep them without further obligation. If you do not make the goods available or fail to return them as agreed, you remain liable for the contract’s obligations.
The law requires the contractor to provide you with a written notice explaining your right to cancel.
CONTRACTORS BOARD NOTICE The CSLB is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating construction contractors. Contact CSLB for information about a licensed contractor, including any complaints or disciplinary actions.
Use only licensed contractors. If you file a complaint against a licensed contractor, CSLB may investigate, provided the complaint falls within the legal timeframe (usually four years). If you hire an unlicensed contractor, CSLB may not be able to assist you, and your only remedy may be in civil court. You could also be liable for damages related to any injuries suffered by the unlicensed contractor or their employees.
For more information:
- Visit www.cslb.ca.gov
- Call 1-800-321-CSLB (2752)
- Write to CSLB, P.O. Box 26000, Sacramento, CA 95826
SERVICE CALL CHARGE A service charge will be applied toward repair estimates if the estimate is accepted within 30 days.
DIAGNOSIS AND ESTIMATE Due to the complexity of modern appliances, our estimate includes a general diagnosis not intended for “do-it-yourself” (DIY) repairs. A detailed, itemized diagnosis is available for an additional fee.
LEGAL NOTICE FOR CALIFORNIA: Per Section 9844 of the California Business and Professions Code, a written repair estimate shall be provided to the customer. The service dealer may not charge for work performed or parts supplied beyond the estimate without the customer’s prior consent. A reasonable fee may be charged for diagnosing the issue and preparing the estimate.
For information, contact the Bureau of Electronic Appliance Repair, Department of Consumer Affairs, Sacramento, CA 95814.
INDEPENDENT SERVICE PROVIDER We are an independent service provider and carry no obligation to contact your insurance, home warranty company, or any other affiliate. By initiating service with us, you understand and agree that there will be no expectation of us engaging in contact with another affiliate for any reason.
CANCELLATIONS Once an estimate is accepted and parts are ordered, cancellations may result in shipping, handling, and restocking fees. A deposit is required for special-order parts.
WARRANTY
- Unless otherwise stated, parts are warranted for 90 days, and labor is warranted for 90 days under normal household use.
- Refrigerant charges are excluded from the warranty.
- We do not guarantee parts not supplied or installed by us.
ACCEPTANCE OF WORK PERFORMED I acknowledge satisfactory completion of the work designated on this invoice and that the premises have been left in a satisfactory condition. I understand that if my check does not clear, I am liable for the check and a $30 returned check fee. In the event that collection efforts are initiated against me, I shall pay for all associated fees at the posted rates, as well as all attorneys’ fees and collection costs.
I agree that the amount set forth in the space marked “Total Due” is the total flat price I have agreed to pay today. If I am unsatisfied with the work, I agree to contact this company prior to posting to any online forums, websites, social media, or review sites. I agree to give Reliable Appliance Service Inc. the opportunity to address my concerns. Any comment or review posted online must be removed immediately until I have contacted Reliable Appliance Service Inc. and spoken directly with [GM Peter York] to address the issue. If my grievances cannot be resolved to my satisfaction, I agree to post the full story of our conversation and interaction in any online review.
DAMAGE WAIVER Despite taking precautions, damage may occur to floors, walls, cabinets, or appliances while performing service. Damage may also result from pre-existing issues such as faulty, cracked, or disconnected supply lines and hoses. By securing our services, the customer waives liability for such damages.
DISPUTES If you are dissatisfied and cannot resolve the issue through your local dispatch office, please submit a written description of the problem and proposed resolution to: Reliable Appliance Service Inc. 324 Coogan Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 Email: Peter.york@reliableserviceco.com