Construction companies live and die based on their contracts. These contracts are most often between the construction firm and the client, but they also exist with contractors, suppliers, and other entities as well. All contracts must be written in a way that is easy to understand and are legally enforceable in the state of Florida. […]
When working in the construction industry, disputes with clients are almost inevitable. While most jobs will go smoothly, it is important to know what to do when you run into a conflict that simply can’t be resolved through normal communication. In most cases, the two options will be to either go through an arbitration process […]
If you have been notified of a construction defect either by the purchaser, or more likely, by the courts, it is important to know your rights. Most construction defect lawsuits are based on the contract that was in place by the owner of the home or other structure and the developer. Contractors and subcontractors (including […]
When working on large projects, banks and other financing companies aren’t going to send you the full loan amount up front. Instead, they will provide the funding as it is needed over the course of the project. This reduces the risk for them but can also help to lower the total amount of interest you […]
The simple answer to this question is no, you can’t file a lien on a public project in Florida. This is because all public property is actually exempt from having liens filed against them. This is because the property is supposed to be “owned” by the Florida government on behalf of all the citizens of […]
Subcontractors are essential to most large construction jobs, but they can also cause some major problems. To help avoid miscommunications and other issues, it is critical to always use subcontractor agreements that are properly written, and include all important information, and signed by all parties involved. The following are five of the most important things […]
When the owner of a property hires a contractor in Florida, they will typically want to have the contractor secure a performance bond in place prior to starting the project. This bond offers protection to the property owner so they can be confident that the job will be done as agreed. The protections to the […]
For most construction companies, it is necessary to have a combination of full-time employees and independent contractors to complete specific jobs. Each of these two types of workers will be able to fulfill different types of roles so that jobs can be completed properly and on time. When using independent contractors and employees, however, it […]
As a construction company or general contractor, virtually all new jobs start out on a positive note for all parties involved. Over the course of the job, however, things can deteriorate and result in some major issues. Even when both parties are attempting to do the right thing, differences of opinion, miscommunication, and other problems […]
When a home or other building is being built or renovated, there will typically be a loan involved to fund the project. Just like with a traditional mortgage, if the parties involved fail to make their payment as agreed, the property can enter foreclosure. When learning about situations in which a construction loan can be […]
When someone wants to hire a contractor to take care of a job for their home or business, one of the first things they will often look for is a contractor’s license. Contractor licensing is important both for the clients (it gives them peace of mind) and for the contractors (it helps them to get […]
For many contractors, remodeling jobs are their “bread and butter.” These jobs can range from redoing a small room to huge renovations and can account for a large percentage of your annual income. While the vast majority of these types of jobs will go off without a hitch, it is important to have a legal […]
When drafting or reviewing a construction contract, it’s important to watch out for a few important things. These contracts are designed to clarify what work needs to be done, how it should be completed, the costs involved, and much more. When drafted correctly, a contract can help to avoid disputes over a job. When written […]
“Subrogation” is the right and power of an insurer to legally go after third parties that caused the insured a loss. This is so the insurance company can recover what they paid to the insured. When writing or reviewing a new contract for a construction project, you may hear about something known as “waivers of […]
A surety bond is a common tool used in construction contracts to help protect the interests of construction companies and others involved in the project(s). When a construction company hires a subcontractor to complete a certain task, they may also require a surety bond to be in place. This way, if the subcontractor does not […]
When you need a construction job completed properly, it is very unlikely that you’re going to want to manage the day to day activities that need to be completed. To get things done right, you’ll need to hire a construction manager to oversee the project. Part of hiring on a construction supervisor or manager is […]
Construction companies and contractors are typically able to accept and complete jobs without any significant problems. Unfortunately, disputes related to these types of jobs are all but inevitable when you’ve been in this business for long enough. In many cases, these types of disputes can be resolved through dialogue, mediation, and other resolution techniques. Sometimes, […]
Whenever taking on a large construction project, it will be necessary to negotiate a draw schedule with the lender. A draw schedule takes the full amount of the construction loan and splits it up into multiple payments that are made as work is completed. This helps to limit the risk that the bank takes on, […]
A claim of lien is a specific type of legal claim against property to secure a debt. The claim can be for any amount of money, or the specific value of services rendered. In most cases, the claims of lien are handled when the debt is taken out and agreed upon by all parties involved. […]
When planning a new construction project, getting the needed financing is one of the most important steps. Most lenders aren’t going to want to simply ‘write a check’ for the full amount of the entire project before it has even begun, however. This is where a document known as a draw schedule comes in. A […]
