workmanlike manner
Definition
This phrase means completing a job with the level of skill and care that a competent, experienced professional in that trade would reasonably be expected to deliver. It sets a quality standard without requiring perfection, but it does require that the work be done properly and without obvious errors or shortcuts. Courts use this standard to judge whether a contractor, vendor, or service provider held up their end of a contract.
Example
If you hire a plumber to install new pipes and they do it so poorly that leaks appear within weeks, a court would likely find they failed to perform their work in a workmanlike manner.
Watch Out
When you sign a contract that requires work to be done in a workmanlike manner, make sure you document your expectations upfront in writing, because what counts as acceptable quality can become a heated dispute if things go wrong.
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This definition is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with a licensed attorney for legal guidance.