{"id":902868,"date":"2024-06-20T13:40:45","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T19:40:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/?p=902868"},"modified":"2024-06-20T13:40:48","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T19:40:48","slug":"text-as-a-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myconstructionexpert.com\/blog\/text-as-a-writing\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a Text a Writing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Michael Yelle | Ahlers Cressman & Sleight<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is a text message a writing? Project communication is constantly evolving, and text messages are an increasingly common way teams share pictures, video, and provide project updates. When texting is part of the communication flow on a project, contractors and owners might text approvals for extra work, notices of changed conditions, or other information that could be a basis for a change order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            In a text exchange about a compensable event, the notice, reply, and approval are all saved on the phone. But contracts often contain specific requirements for a contractor or subcontractor to request changes and authorization to proceed may be specifically required in writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For example, the Associated General Contractors of Washington \u2013 2018 Standard Subcontract says the \u201cSubcontractor shall make no claims for extras unless the same shall be agreed upon in writing <\/strong>by Contractor prior to performance of any such extra work.\u201d (emphasis added).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The AGC subcontract doesn\u2019t define \u201cwriting,\u201d so the subcontractor and contractor might wonder if a text message exchange about a potentially compensable event was an \u201cagreement in writing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Washington has enacted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (\u201cUETA\u201d) which states that \u201cA record\u2026 may not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.\u201d RCW 1.80.060(1). A text message likely meets the definition of a record, which is \u201cinformation\u2026stored in an electronic or other medium [that] is retrievable in a perceivable form.\u201d RCW 1.80.010(15).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            But this doesn\u2019t mean the text messages automatically satisfy the \u201cin writing\u201d requirement of the contract.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            The UETA only applies to \u201ctransactions between parties each of<\/strong> which has agreed<\/strong> to conduct transactions by electronic means.\u201d RCW 1.80.040(2) (emphasis added). Whether the parties agree to conduct a transaction by electronic means \u201cis determined from the context and surrounding circumstances, including the parties\u2019 conduct.\u201d RCW 1.80.040(2). In other words, whether the UETA applies is analyzed on a case-by-case basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Washington courts have not determined exactly what indicates a party has agreed to \u201cconduct transactions by electronic means.\u201d Courts in other states, however, have determined that ongoing participation in electronic communications shows an agreement to conduct transactions by electronic means. See Int\u2019l Casings Group, Inc. v. Premium Standard Farms, Inc. <\/em>358 F.Supp.2d 863, 875 (W.D. Mo. 2005).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another example from Mississippi, email correspondence between a buyer and seller regarding a potential equipment sale spanned more than two months \u2013 illustrating an agreement to conduct the sale by electronic means. Parish Transport LLC v. Jordan Carriers Inc.<\/em>, 327 So. 3d 45, 51 (Miss. 2021).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Although a fact specific analysis would be performed in each case, a comment to the model UETA \u2013the basis of Washington\u2019s law \u2013 says something as simple as using a business card with an email address is a reasonable basis to conclude that someone consents to do business electronically. UETA \u00a75, cmt. at 4.B. The intent of the model legislation is to have \u201cthe widest possible application consistent with \u2026removing barriers to electronic commerce.\u201d UETA \u00a75, cmt. Therefore, even a seemingly minor act (like using a business card with an email) can show an agreement to conduct transactions via electronic means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that proposals, RFI\u2019s, submittals, project updates, and other correspondence are typically sent via email, drop box sites, or through project management software (e.g., Kahua, Procore), it is conceivable that project owners, architects, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers will all have consented to electronic communication on a project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the parties agree to transact electronically, a text message \u201cmay not be denied legal effect or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.\u201d\u00a0Progressive Advanced Insurance Company v. Corekin,\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0No.\u00a0CV\u00a0DKC\u00a016 1340, 2017 WL 4122821, at *9 (D. Md. Sept. 18, 2017)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Considering a text a \u201cwriting\u201d is also consistent with the basic principles of the UETA \u2013 the choice of medium \u201cdoes not alter the outcome of disputes between the parties\u2026whether the parties deal in a paper world or electronic world, their relationship should be subject to the same legal principles.\u201d Patricia Brumfield Fry, Introduction to the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act: Principles, Policies and Provisions<\/em>, 37 Idaho L. Rev. 237, 249 (2001).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, proving a text message meets the requirements for a writing might not be the end of the story. The UETA will not help if the dispute is over the content or timing of a text message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            For example, AIA 201 (general conditions) \u00a71.6.2 says Notice of Claims \u201cshall be deemed to have been duly served only if delivered to the designated representative of the party to whom the notice is addressed by certified or registered mail, or by courier providing proof of delivery.<\/strong>\u201d In this case, a text message likely doesn\u2019t meet the express requirements of the contract \u2013 even if it got to the right people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            A contract may also require a party to provide specific information which is unlikely to occur over text. For example, the 2018 AGC Standard Subcontract says the \u201c[s]ubcontractor shall promptly provide within three (3) days after written demand, a statement in writing, including supporting documents, setting forth what amounts\u2026are due or payable by Subcontractor\u2026\u201d In this case, the Subcontractor is required to provide \u201csupporting documents,\u201d which are unlikely to be provided by text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text messages are also often less formal and lack the context that may be provided by transmittals, emails, and meeting minutes. This context may be difficult to recreate during dispute resolution, opening the door for disagreements over the meaning of a text message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comment: In most situations, a text is a writing, However, Washington courts have not provided details for how this operates in practice. To avoid potential pitfalls, contractors should understand and follow the specific requirements in their contracts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

When one of your cases is in need of a construction expert, estimates, insurance appraisal or umpire services in defect or insurance disputes – please call Advise & Consult, Inc. at 888.684.8305, or email experts@adviseandconsult.net<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Michael Yelle | Ahlers Cressman & Sleight Is a text message a writing? Project communication is constantly evolving, and text messages are an increasingly common way teams share pictures, video, and provide project updates. When texting is part of the communication flow on a project, contractors and owners might text approvals for extra work, notices… Continue reading Is a Text a Writing?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[14,9],"tags":[9895,12,224],"class_list":["post-902868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-construction-2","category-construction-contracts","tag-advise-consult","tag-construction","tag-construction-contract","entry"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\nIs a Text a Writing? 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