From plumbing installation to the treatment of liquids, gases, and waste products, the plumbing services industry is highly regulated to ensure compliance with industry standards. Over the next five years, industry contractors are expected to benefit from stronger demand in the commercial building market. If you are looking to hire more plumbing contractors or plumbers, it is important that you consider how you will protect your business in the event of a dispute with your contractor. Having a dispute with a contractor is probably an inevitability for any business owner. However, too many business owners equate the inevitability of a dispute, with the inevitability of a legal battle. To protect your business, you should first take steps to avoid the need for a legal resolution. Not only will such a solution save you time and money, but it could also result in strengthening the business relationship between you and your contractor.
Resolving a Legal Dispute with a Plumbing Contractor
Plumbing contractors are expected to benefit from improved investment in the commercial and industrial building market. With more work for plumbing contractors in high demand, it is inevitable disputes may arise. Many plumbing business owners are too aggressive when it comes to pressing their case with a contractor. As a result, an issue that began as a simple miscommunication can often lead to a personal and bitter dispute that can only be decided in a court of law. Therefore, as the owner of a plumbing business, you should never begin a dispute on the offensive. Instead, you should focus on how the dispute can be resolved so that a working relationship can be maintained between you and your contractor, by reaching a agreement.
The best way to resolve a dispute is by listening to your contractor. Granted, this can be difficult if they have disappointed you or caused embarrassment for your plumbing business. It is only by listening to the point of view of your contractor that you will be able to see both sides of the dispute. Therefore, you must almost place yourself in the position of a mediator, to truly have an understanding as to whether or not the dispute can be resolved between you and your contractor.
Legal Problems with Plumbers and Contractors
If you find that no solution is forthcoming with your plumbing dispute, then it is advisable that you seek the advice of a legal professional, to protect best your plumbing business and its reputation. From this point onwards any resolution to the dispute will be through legal means. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should rush straight to court. Furthermore, the most appropriate legal process for your business will depend on entirely upon your circumstances. Therefore, you should be aware of all the options available to your business as it will ultimately be you who makes the decision to which one will best protect it.
The legal options are available to your plumbing business range from facilitation of an agreement between you and your contractor to an all out adversarial contest with legal representation. Consequently, if you feel that an agreement can still be reached between you and your contractor, you should choose mediation, where an agreement can be facilitated by and independent third party. Finally, if a substantial amount of money is involved and the dispute is a bitter one, then you will want to consider taking that matter to court.
Continue reading this article below the formKey Takeaways
A key success factor of the plumbing industry is having a good reputation. It is important for contractors to have a solid reputation for quality of work done and value for money quoting. A legal dispute can harm not only reputation of the business, but also working relationships with contractors. If you have a legal issue as a plumber, running a plumbing business or employment matters, LegalVision’s dispute resolution lawyers can help. Call us on 1300 544 755 or fill out the form on this page.
We appreciate your feedback – your submission has been successfully received.
