nolo link
Nolo is a book on small claims court. I highly recommend it. You will also need "expert witness" testimony to prove that your contractor was negligent. Don't try to make your own case on that.
Just go to amazon.com and search for "Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court"
I'm not a lawyer, but the nolo small claims court book I have suggests that your case would fall under the "discovery rule". snippet below. You should be good to go for litigationi if the contractor is indeed negligent.
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How the Discovery Rule Works
With some types...
I'm suing my HOA in small claims pro se. My case is rock solid, and I do not feel I need counsel to assist. That said, I have been reading that small claims judges view it as "disrepectful" to sue HOA and rarely rule in favor of pro se plantiffs in these cases.
My case is not frivolous at...