No matter how well-planned your construction project might be, there is always a chance that something will go wrong. While you may not be able to control whether delays, project overruns, and other issues come up in your project, you can control how you respond to them.
Understanding Common Challenges in Construction Projects
Some of the more common issues that can develop over the life of any project include:
Material Delays
Weather, political unrest, and equipment failures can all delay the shipping of materials needed to continue work on your project. Sometimes, work can grind to a halt as your crews wait for essential supplies to arrive.
Worker Shortages
Perhaps the materials are on site, but your available work crews are few and spread out over several sites. This has the same effect as a material shortage: further progress on your construction project is delayed until crews are able to return to your job site.
Payment and Contract Disputes
If one subcontractor or material supplier believes they are not being paid on time or treated fairly under the terms of a contract, you can expect them to stop working until the matter is addressed.
This situation becomes even more complicated if there is disagreement over whether the payment has been earned or whether work was completed properly or not.
Navigating Project Challenges With the Help of a Construction Attorney
Employing an experienced construction attorney during your project’s planning phase can stave off some of these issues. However, your construction attorney is beneficial even after a dispute has arisen. While you continue to move your project forward, your lawyer can:
- Clarify the issue with the appropriate parties
- Gather information and develop potential solutions
- Discuss the potential solutions and their impact with you
- Negotiate settlements or resolutions to the issues
- Bring the matter to court, if necessary
A seasoned attorney will know the best strategies to employ to keep your construction project moving forward with minimal interruption to your plans and activities.
Legal Strategies for Resolving Specific Project Concerns
The methods your construction attorney uses to resolve the issues that arise in your project will vary depending on the specific roadblock. For example:
Contract and Payment Disputes
Your attorney will first examine the contract’s plain language to determine whether one party is clearly in the right. If not, they may try to reach a settlement with the other party that satisfies both parties’ concerns and gets the project moving again.
Material Shortages
If specific materials are called for by a contract or specifications but are unavailable, modifications to the contract may be necessary. It is crucial that the entire contract be reviewed when even one part is modified so that it reads harmoniously and old provisions do not contradict the modified ones.
Worker Disputes and Shortages
If there are wage or labor disagreements between yourself and your work crews, engaging in settlement talks is often the preferred way to resolve them. In these situations, you need a strong negotiator who knows when to stand their ground and when to give ground to achieve the overall goal of ending the shortage.
The Earlier Disputes and Issues Are Addressed, the Better
Cooperative and collaborative solutions will often be better when issues are resolved promptly, especially if the parties’ relationship must continue for the sake of the project. However, it is equally important to ensure your rights are always protected.
No matter where you are in your construction project, it is always a good time to bring an experienced construction attorney on board. Contact Alves Radcliffe today and request a consultation. We will review your project and let you know how we can assist your plans throughout their life.
Add a Comment