jQuery.validator.addMethod("phoneUS", function(phone_number, element) {
    phone_number = phone_number.replace(/\s+/g, ""); 
	return this.optional(element) || phone_number.length > 9 &&
		phone_number.match(/^(1-?)?(\([2-9]\d{2}\)|[2-9]\d{2})-?[2-9]\d{2}-?\d{4}$/);
}, "Please specify a valid phone number");

$().ready(function() {
	// validate signup form on keyup and submit
	$("#contact_form").validate({
		rules: {
			name: "required",
			tel: {
				required: true,
				phoneUS: true
			},
			email: {
				required: true,
				email: true
			},
			message: "required"
		},
		messages: {
			name: "",
			email: "",
			tel: "",
			message: ""
		}
	});

});