Legal Column: Patch to Match

One of the biggest headaches for remodelers comes from having to match existing materials and finishes. We’ve all encountered jobs with a stucco finish, a roof shingle color, or a molding profile that can be closely matched but not matched exactly. If an owner expects a perfect job, however, no amount of effort on the part of the contractor will satisfy that demand. I handle this problem in a special section of my contract, called “Miscellaneous Conditions.” The section first explains that an exact match is not guaranteed: Matching Existing Finishes: Contractor will use best efforts to match existing finishes and materials. However, an exact match is not guaranteed by Contractor due to such factors as discoloration from aging, a