Legally binding dispute resolution for homeowners and trade professionals - saving time, money, and relationships through impartial conflict resolution out of court.
Rightably specializes in mediating and arbitrating disputes between homeowners, property managers, and service providers. We offer a neutral, cost-effective alternative to lengthy court battles.
We help homeowners resolve disputes with contractors and service providers quickly and fairly, without the expense of litigation.
We help tradespeople and contractors protect their business interests and resolve client disputes efficiently.
We provide specialized solutions for property managers handling multiple properties and dealing with both tenants and service providers.
Our streamlined process is designed to resolve disputes quickly, impartially, and cost-effectively. Here's what to expect:
Submit your dispute details via email or phone. Include all relevant information, documents, and your desired resolution.
The other party is notified and has 5 business days to respond to the claims, providing their perspective and any relevant documentation.
A mediator works with both parties to find a mutually agreeable solution, without imposing a decision. Many disputes are resolved at this stage.
If mediation is unsuccessful, both parties submit additional evidence, documentation, photos, contracts, and communications relevant to the dispute.
A formal hearing is scheduled where both parties present their case. This can be conducted virtually or in-person depending on the circumstances.
The arbitrator renders a binding decision within 5 business days of the hearing. This decision is legally enforceable and resolves the dispute.
Explore how our arbitration process helps resolve common disputes between homeowners and service providers.
A homeowner hired a plumber to replace old pipes and install a new water heater. After the work was completed, the homeowner discovered persistent leaks and water pressure issues. Multiple callbacks to the plumber resulted in temporary fixes, but the problems continued. The plumber insisted the issues were unrelated to their work and refused to make further repairs without additional payment.
The homeowner claimed the plumber's work was defective and not performed to industry standards. They wanted the plumbing issues fixed without additional cost. The plumber maintained they had completed the agreed-upon work correctly and that the new issues were caused by pre-existing conditions in the home's plumbing system not included in the original scope.
Through our arbitration process, an independent master plumber inspected the work and provided expert testimony. The arbitrator determined that 70% of the issues stemmed from the plumber's installation work, while 30% were due to pre-existing conditions not addressed in the original contract. The plumber was ordered to repair the issues related to their workmanship at no cost, while the homeowner was responsible for paying for the additional repairs needed to address the pre-existing conditions.
A homeowner contracted a renovation company for a kitchen remodel with a clearly defined scope of work and a completion date of 8 weeks. After 14 weeks, the project remained incomplete with significant issues including improperly installed cabinets, misaligned countertops, and unfinished electrical work. The homeowner had already paid 80% of the contract price.
The homeowner wanted to terminate the contract, receive a partial refund, and hire a different contractor to complete the work. The renovation company claimed that the delays were caused by the homeowner's multiple change requests and that they were entitled to full payment plus additional fees for the changes.
Our arbitration process included a review of all contract documents, change orders, communications, and an inspection of the work by an independent contractor. The arbitrator found that while there were some change requests, they did not justify the extensive delays and quality issues. The decision awarded the homeowner a 30% refund of amounts paid and allowed for contract termination. The renovation company was ordered to provide all permits, plans, and warranties for the work completed to date to facilitate the transition to a new contractor.
A homeowner hired an electrician to upgrade their home's electrical panel and add new circuits for a home office. After the work was completed and paid for, the homeowner began experiencing intermittent power outages in certain areas of the home. Local building inspection later revealed that parts of the work did not meet code requirements.
The homeowner sought a refund and compensation for the cost of hiring another electrician to correct the issues. The electrician claimed they had pulled the proper permits and the work had passed initial inspection, suggesting the issues must have developed after their work was completed.
Through arbitration, inspection records were reviewed and an independent master electrician evaluated the work. The evidence showed that while permits were obtained, several connections had been improperly made and posed safety hazards. The arbitrator ordered the electrician to correct all code violations within 14 days and cover the cost of re-inspection. Additionally, the electrician was required to provide a 2-year warranty on the corrected work in writing. No monetary refund was awarded as the electrician agreed to rectify the issues.
A homeowner contracted a landscaping company to install a drainage system, lay sod, and plant trees and shrubs according to an agreed-upon design. After completion, the homeowner experienced flooding in previously dry areas of the yard, and many of the plants died within weeks despite proper watering.
The homeowner refused to make the final payment of 25% and requested that the landscaper fix the drainage issues and replace the dead plants. The landscaper claimed the drainage problems were due to unusually heavy rainfall and that the plants died due to improper care by the homeowner.
During arbitration, soil and plant samples were analyzed, and the drainage system design was reviewed by an independent expert. Weather records were also examined. The evidence showed the drainage system was improperly designed for the soil type, and the plants that died were inappropriate for the soil conditions. The arbitrator ruled that the landscaper must redesign and install a proper drainage system at no additional cost and replace the dead plants with species suitable for the soil conditions. The homeowner was required to pay 15% of the withheld amount, with the remaining 10% to be paid upon successful completion of the remedial work.
A homeowner hired a roofing contractor to replace their entire roof with architectural shingles. Three months after installation, during a moderate rainstorm, the homeowner discovered multiple leaks. The roofer made several repair attempts, but the leaks persisted. The homeowner subsequently discovered that the roofer had used a different, less expensive shingle than specified in the contract.
The homeowner demanded a complete roof replacement with the originally specified materials. The roofer claimed that the substituted materials were of equivalent quality and that the leaks were due to pre-existing structural issues not addressed in the contract.
The arbitration process included a detailed inspection by an independent roofing expert, who confirmed both the material substitution and installation defects. Weather records showed the leaks occurred during normal, not extreme, conditions. The arbitrator ordered the roofing contractor to replace the entire roof with the originally specified materials at their own expense and to provide a 10-year workmanship warranty in writing. Additionally, the roofer was required to repair water damage to the attic insulation and sheetrock at no cost to the homeowner. The decision referenced industry standards that require explicit customer approval for material substitutions.
Protect your business and simplify dispute resolution out of court by including the Rightably arbitration clause in your contracts, estimates and proposals.
"Any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the breach, termination, enforcement, interpretation, or validity thereof, including the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, shall be determined by arbitration administered by PreCourt Inc. d/b/a Rightably (www.Rightably.com) in accordance with its Rules & Procedures effective at the time a claim is made. The arbitration shall be conducted by one arbitrator, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Parties consent to electronic service of process. The Parties agree that, in the event of confirmation and enforcement, the delinquent party will be responsible for any attorney, court or other fees associated with such action. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any remedy or relief that a court of competent jurisdiction could order or grant. The parties agree to split all Rightably filing, arbitration, and additional fees evenly."
Copy our standardized arbitration clause and customize it to suit your needs. Our clause is legally vetted and designed to be enforceable in all 50 states.
Add the clause to all your standard business contracts, estimates, and proposals. We recommend placing it in the "Dispute Resolution" section of your document.
We'll review your documents and included arbitration clause for compliance in order to facilitate future case administration. We will proactively resolve any potential issues.
Get answers to common questions about our arbitration services and dispute resolution process.
Arbitration is a form of alternative dispute resolution where a neutral third party (the arbitrator) reviews evidence, hears arguments, and makes a binding decision to resolve a dispute. Unlike court proceedings, arbitration is:
The arbitrator's decision is legally binding and enforceable, similar to a court judgment.
Our arbitration fees are structured to be accessible and fair:
Payment responsibility can be handled in several ways:
Many service contracts include arbitration clauses that specify how fees are handled. We'll review your contract and explain the fee structure before proceeding.
The typical timeline for our home services arbitration process is 30 days from filing to resolution. This timeline can vary based on:
Our process emphasizes efficiency while ensuring both parties have adequate time to present their case. Many cases are resolved even faster through our preliminary mediation phase, sometimes within a few days of filing.
We specialize in resolving disputes related to home services and trades, including:
We handle disputes across all home service sectors including: plumbing, electrical, HVAC, roofing, remodeling, landscaping, flooring, painting, pool installation/maintenance, appliance installation, and general contracting.
Legal representation is not required for our arbitration process, which is designed to be accessible to individuals without legal training. Many participants successfully represent themselves because:
That said, you may choose to have legal representation if:
Whether or not you have legal representation, our arbitrators ensure both parties have a fair opportunity to present their case.
In most cases, the arbitrator's decision (called an "award") is final and legally binding. Unlike court decisions, arbitration awards have very limited grounds for appeal. This finality is one of the key benefits of arbitration, providing quick and definitive resolution.
An arbitration award can only be challenged in court under specific, narrow circumstances:
These grounds are rarely successful and focus on procedural fairness rather than the merits of the decision. Courts generally will not overturn an award simply because they disagree with the arbitrator's conclusions or interpretation of facts.
All our arbitrators are bound by a strict code of ethics and follow rigorous procedures to ensure fair and impartial decisions that will withstand any potential challenge.
Effective evidence is crucial to supporting your position. We recommend gathering:
After filing, you'll receive specific instructions for organizing and submitting your evidence. We recommend organizing chronologically and creating a simple evidence log that explains the relevance of each item. Digital submission via email is preferred for most documents.
While most parties comply with arbitration decisions voluntarily, you have legal recourse if the other party fails to comply:
For contractors and service providers, non-compliance can also result in:
We provide detailed instructions for converting the award to a judgment in your jurisdiction. Most local courts have simplified procedures for this process, and many participants complete it without an attorney.
Ready to resolve your dispute? Have questions about our services? Reach out to our team for assistance.
(740) RIGHT-ME
Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm ET
hello@rightably.com
Response within 24 hours
Virtual consultations available
In-person by appointment