If we have a large pole barn and my husband has hired a “friend of a friend” to build a loft in it, do we need to do anything to protect ourselves from liability, etc.?
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If we have a large pole barn and my husband has hired a “friend of a friend” to build a loft in it, do we need to do anything to protect ourselves from liability, etc.?
How do we protect ourselves from a potential lawsuit from injury, unsatisfactory work, etc..?
Asked on February 10, 2015 under Business Law, Illinois
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 9 years ago | Contributor
Don't hire the "friend of friend" unless he is a licensed and insured contractor--that is far and away the best (possible only) way to protect yourself from all the risks you mention. If he is not licensed, for example, you could find yourself sued any anyone injured by the loft he builds since it is negligent to hire an unlicensed person for such work. You may also have (depending on your town's exact building code and regulations) problems with resale, if the loft is not properly permitted, inspectec, etc. Plus if he does not have insurance, if he does unsatisfactory work, you'd have to sue him to recover compensation--but without insurance, if he does not have the money to pay you, you will not recover anything.
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