In Davis v$.$ Baugh Industrial Contractors, the traditional common law rule prevented a party who accepted a completed construction project from later suing the contractor for flaws in construction that caused injury to others. In reviewing such a case, the Washington state high court held that the rule was no longer sensible in modern times because:

contractors are no longer considered trustworthy people compared to in earlier years

contractors no longer work directly with landowners

contractors no longer sign liability release forms

construction has become complex so landowners cqunot be expected to recognize substandard performance

contractors will do substandard work if they are not held accountable even after a project is completed