In Wyoming, homeowners are protected by what’s known as a “warranty of good workmanship.” This legal principle ensures that when a contractor performs work on a home, the work must meet a reasonable standard of quality. Essentially, it means that the work should be done with the skill and care that a reasonably competent contractor would provide under similar circumstances.
The warranty of good workmanship is crucial for home owners, particularly when undertaking significant renovations or additions to their property. This warranty applies to various types of construction work, from building a new home to smaller projects like adding a deck. If the work doesn’t meet this standard, the homeowner has the right to demand that the contractor corrects the issues without additional costs.
How does this impact Realtors? Here is a story to demonstrate:
A Cautionary Tale: The Case of the Deck Disaster
Let’s take a look at a recent real estate scenario in Wyoming that highlights the importance of this warranty.
“Sarah”, a homeowner in Sheridan, was eager to put her home on the market. The housing market was hot, and she was confident that her property would sell quickly. However, there was one nagging concern: the deck.
About a year prior, Sarah had hired a local contractor to build a new deck. Unfortunately, after the project was complete, she began to notice some alarming issues. The stairs were wobbly, the railings were uneven, and the interlocking composite decking boards had all been screwed down rather than locked into place as they were designed.
As a novice to deck building, Sarah did not realize that these problems were much of an issue, until one day, another contractor came over to do additional work on the house before listing it for sale. The new contractor saw the condition of the deck and warned Sarah not to use the deck as he noticed structural flaws in the entire deck, deeming it unsafe to use.
As Sarah prepared to list her home, her real estate agent pointed out that the deck’s poor construction could significantly impact the home’s value and as a material defect, the deck issues needed to be disclosed to potential buyers. Prospective buyers might be turned off by the defects, or worse, they might demand a lower price or ask for costly repairs to be completed before closing the deal.
Sarah decided to consult a construction expert, who confirmed her fears: the deck had not been built to a reasonable standard of workmanship. The expert pointed out that the issues could lead to further deterioration, resulting in safety hazards.
Thankfully, Wyoming’s warranty of good workmanship was on Sarah’s side. She contacted Sagebrush Law Firm, who insisted that the contractor repair the deck to meet proper standards. After some negotiation, the contractor agreed to redo the work at no additional cost, understanding that failing to do so could lead to legal consequences.
Once the deck was rebuilt correctly, Sarah’s home was back on the market, and the new deck became a selling point rather than a liability. The home sold quickly, and Sarah was relieved to have avoided a potential financial hit due to poor workmanship.
The Bottom Line
Wyoming’s warranty of good workmanship is a valuable protection for homeowners. Whether your client is renovating their home to increase its value or simply making necessary improvements, it’s essential to ensure that the work meets a reasonable standard of quality. If you encounter a client with issues regarding a contractor’s workmanship, don’t hesitate to give us a call — doing so could save you and your clients significant time, money, and stress.