Building Your Legal Foundation: Construction Law
Jupiter Legal Advocates represents both the construction trades (contractors, sub-contractors, material suppliers and designers) and property owners.
The firm handles construction law matters, including the enforcement and defense of construction liens, contract and performance disputes, and damage claims and defense arising from defective work, defective materials, and payment issues.
Resolving Construction Disputes Effectively
Construction projects involve complex contracts between multiple parties. When a dispute arises, the first step construction trades or property owners take is to review and enforce the terms of the contract.
We help clients in South Florida resolve disputes such as:
- Project delays
- Product defects
- Payment issues
- Change orders
Our goal is to resolve disputes efficiently through negotiation, mediation, or litigation (if necessary).
Frequently Asked Questions – Construction Lawyers
To provide you with a better understanding of Florida construction laws and the duties of construction lawyers, here are answers to some frequently asked questions. If you need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How do you know if your project is bonded?
Some construction projects call for payment bonds or performance bonds that benefit contractors and subcontractors.
A payment bond is typically favorable to subcontractors and suppliers. It requires surety to pay outstanding amounts owed to the subcontractor if the general contractor fails to fulfill its payment obligations.
A performance bond is typically favorable to the owner or general contractor. It provides a remedy in case a subcontractor or contractor fails to perform scheduled work or completes it poorly.
Once you obtain a copy of the bond, it’s critical to identify and comply with all notice and timing requirements. For a private project, the bond often dictates the timeframe you must file a claim or by when a specific action on the bond must be taken.
Do other provisions dictate the contractor’s rights?
Most construction contracts contain notice provisions. Notice provisions have timing and form requirements that are strictly enforced. An attorney can help guide you through such requirements.
Construction contracts may contain indemnification and insurance provisions as well. These must be analyzed to determine if any additional remedies are warranted.
Who are the potential parties to litigation?
Another step in evaluating a construction client’s potential claims and determining the best course of action is identifying the party or parties from whom the client may recover. In some jurisdictions, an aggrieved contractor or subcontractor may have the right to pursue claims against not only the contracted parties but also other entities involved in the matter.
What type of experts might be necessary?
Expert opinion is sometimes required early in the evaluation process. Some of the assistance they can provide includes:
- Evaluating the strength of the claims
- Assisting with the preparation of discovery requests
- Determining damages
- Evaluating the duty of care within the community
- Educating practitioners and clients on relevant issues and industry standards
If you require the services of a construction lawyer, give us a call at 561-748-8000 or send us an email inquiry.