FAQ: Contract Law
The team at Jupiter Legal Advocates has put together this contract law faq list that may help answer questions you have about legal contract issues you may be facing or considering.
If you don’t see your question answered here – please email us at info@jla.legal so we can help you.
Contract Law FAQ
Can I be forced to pay a bill for services done without a contract?
I received a bill today from a landscape company I had only gotten a quote for but not agreed to the work, they did the work when I was out of town 2 weeks after I got the quote.
I had asked them to call me as the price looked fine, but they never called.
They know I’m closing on my house next week and they already told me they will file a lien if I didn’t pay by the end of today, but I just got the bill today!
I did tell them we had no agreement and that I won’t pay, they say my email saying the price was fine is enough for a contract for them.
Can they do this?
Additional information
Do you think that since I didn’t sign their contract but emailed: “$225 for the front trees are fine, call me as I want this done asap” is enough for them to say they had a contract, or do you think it will be dismissed?
How long would it take to have it dismissed in Broward County? Thanks for your help.
ANSWER
This is an interesting contract law faq.
It is possible for them to file a lien, however, there are a number of things you too can do to remove the lien from your house at or prior to closing.
- You can “bond” the lien off of the house by filing a cash bond with the clerk of the court in the county wherein the property is located. This is simple but expensive.
- You can also challenge the lien and/or require that the lienor make a statement supporting the lien and failing that the lien can be dismissed.
The bad news is that you will most likely need an attorney to do these things.
Also, at the time of the closing, the title company can bond the lien off from your closing proceeds or pay it if you desire.