Sofía Vergara Sued By Contractors Over Alleged Unpaid Work

Sofia Vergara is being sued by contractors who renovated her home in LA, after she allegedly failed to pay them more than $1.7 million.  

A complaint filed on November 27th states Reside Custom Homes (RCH) alleges Sofia has failed to pay two invoices dating back to March and July 2023 for work completed on the house totalling $1,700,492.64. 

It accuses her of breach of contract, promissory fraud and intentional interference with contractual relations, among other claims.

Her attorney, Martin Singer has released a statement which reads, "My client made claims against the contractor, Reside, several months before this specious lawsuit was filed. Sofia Vergara’s claims were for significant overcharging by Reside, substandard and negligent work, and long delays seeking damages in excess of $5 million."

"We are confident that my client will prevail in this dispute."

Records show she bought the home for around $26 million in 2020, while married to ex-husband Joe Manganiello. 

The two announced their separation in July 2023, following seven years of marriage. They had previously re-listed another home for $18 million. 

Per the contractor's filing, Sofia hired RCH in April 2022 to renovate the house and they completed the original scope of work as planned by December 2022.

They claim she then asked for additional work, which included adding plaster that "had to be sourced from a small, rural town in the United Kingdom" to many of the walls, as well as the removal and replacement of the rear stairs, which had to be custom fabricated.

The suit claims “Vergara repeatedly represented and promised … that she would personally ensure that RCH was paid in full for all of its work on the Property” upon completion.

An invoice was sent in March for $896,196.15, which they claim remains unpaid to date. 

A final invoice for the additional work was sent in July for $657,245.23. The contractor also claims this is outstanding. RCH put a mechanic’s lien against the property in August.

According to RCH, she never complained about the quality of work despite regular check-ins on site.

She allegedly moved into the property in March 2023. "Some seven months later and only after RCH recorded a lien against the Property did the Owner and Vergara complain for the first time."

RCH also alleges their employees and subcontractors were mistreated.

"Throughout the duration of RCH’s work on the Property, Vergara would routinely engage in aggressive outbursts and would humiliate, ridicule, harass, and seek to intimidate RCH’s employees, representatives and subcontractors, among others."

"Vergara’s outbursts became so frequent and severe that it became difficult for RCH to keep subcontractors engaged and willing to continue working on the Project." 

They claim they'd frequently have to convince workers "not to quit" because of what was described as "pervasive, abusive, and hostile behaviour."

In October 2023, things escalated. RCH claims "Vergara hired counsel to bully RCH (and others) with meritless allegations of wrongdoing and threats of litigation."

Sofia explains she has had a "very interesting and very long year."

“I went through a divorce this year, the SAG strike that went on for so long."

She admits there have been multiple obstacles for herself and the entertainment industry, however, she believes there's a better future. 

“It’s not like it’s bad. I think all the things are resolving, everything is going to be okay and I’m very excited for next year.”