Nadeau Painting Specialist, Ltd. v. Dalcor Property Management, Inc.

**Painting Company Loses Lawsuit Over Unpaid Bills** Nadeau Painting Specialists sued Dalcor Property Management for $21,754.74 in unpaid invoices for painting work done on rental properties. The painting company believed Dalcor owed them money directly for the completed work. The court ruled in favor of Dalcor Property Management. The judge determined that Dalcor was acting as an agent (representative) for the actual property owners when they signed the painting contract, not contracting on their own behalf. Since Dalcor was simply managing the properties for other people who owned them, they weren't personally responsible for paying the painting bills. **What This Means for Workers:** This case highlights an important lesson about who is actually responsible for paying contractors and workers. When dealing with property management companies, workers should understand that these companies often act as middlemen for property owners. Before starting work, contractors and service providers should clarify who will actually be paying the bills - the management company itself or the property owners they represent. Getting clear written agreements about payment responsibility upfront can help avoid situations where workers complete jobs but struggle to collect payment because they targeted the wrong party for payment.