Hiring Someone: Difference between revisions
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{{Law-Related ESL Badge | {{Law-Related ESL Badge | ||
|lessonname= Consumer Law Lesson Module}}{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Consumer Law Essentials TOC}} | |lessonname= Consumer Law Lesson Module}}{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[People's Law School]]|date= March 2017}}{{Consumer Law Essentials TOC}} | ||
If you hire someone to perform a service, there are some additional legal issues to consider beyond those when you [[Making a Purchase|make a purchase]]. | |||
If you hire someone to perform a service, there are some additional legal issues to consider. | |||
== Your legal rights == | == Your legal rights == | ||
Suppose you hire someone to do improvements on your home. You have entered into a '''contract''', a legally recognized agreement. | Suppose you hire someone to do improvements on your home. You have entered into a '''contract''', a legally recognized agreement. | ||
Similar to when you make a purchase, both you and the party you hire have legal rights and obligations: | Similar to when you make a purchase, both you and the <span class="noglossary">party</span> you hire have legal rights and obligations: | ||
* The other party is not allowed to mislead you to convince you to hire them. For example, a plumber isn’t allowed to say that your shower needs replacing when it only needs a new washer. | * The other <span class="noglossary">party</span> is not allowed to mislead you to convince you to hire them. For example, a plumber isn’t allowed to say that your shower needs replacing when it only needs a new washer. | ||
* The other party is not allowed to act unfairly towards you or knowingly take advantage of you. For example, a contractor who knows that you just bought your first home and are financially stretched can’t press you to do a luxury kitchen renovation that they know you can’t afford. | * The other <span class="noglossary">party</span> is not allowed to act unfairly towards you or knowingly take advantage of you. For example, a contractor who knows that you just bought your first home and are financially stretched can’t press you to do a luxury kitchen renovation that they know you can’t afford. | ||
* With some service contracts, you can change your mind during a | * With some service contracts, you can change your mind during a "'''cooling-off period'''". For example, if you hired a house painter after they came to your door to seek your business, you have 10 days after you receive a copy of the contract to cancel it. | ||
In addition, the law says that when you contract with someone to perform a service, the person you hire must: | In addition, the law says that when you contract with someone to perform a service, the person you hire must: | ||
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==Getting a written contract== | ==Getting a written contract== | ||
When you hire someone to perform a service, it is best to have a written contract that is clear about what you have agreed. | When you hire someone to perform a service, it is best to have a [[Making a Contract|written contract]] that is clear about what you have agreed. | ||
[[File:Consumer_Law_-_Contents2.png|thumb|275px|right| link=| <span style="font-size:50%;">Image via www.istockphoto.com</span>]] | |||
The contract should include this information: | The contract should include this information: | ||
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* detailed breakdown of the cost (including labour, any materials used, and taxes and fees) | * detailed breakdown of the cost (including labour, any materials used, and taxes and fees) | ||
* how and when payment will be made | * how and when payment will be made | ||
* what will happen if you and the other party cannot agree | * what will happen if you and the other <span class="noglossary">party</span> cannot agree | ||
The wording dealing with what will happen if you and the other party cannot agree does not need to be complicated. You could say something like: | The wording dealing with what will happen if you and the other <span class="noglossary">party</span> cannot agree does not need to be complicated. You could say something like: | ||
::''"If we have a disagreement under this contract, we will first try to resolve it with the help of a '''mediator'''. We will each pay half of the mediator’s fees."'' | |||
{{Consumer Law Essentials Navbox}} | {{Consumer Law Essentials Navbox}} | ||
