Buena Park Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in California

When a property owner and a general contractor contract for a construction project to take place on some property in Buena Park, California, whether it's a house, some landscaping, or a remodeling project, there is always a gamble that something can go wrong. In fact, at least a very minor setback may be more likely than not.

Most often, landowners and construction contractors are able to resolve minor to moderate disagreements between themselves, and litigation is rarely necessary. Nobody likes litigation, so, to this end, most construction contracts have built-in remedies in case something goes wrong, like set price reductions if construction is delayed.

Even if disagreements can't be resolved amongst the parties to the contract, they don't need to take their dispute into the court system. For instance, construction contracts typically call for mediation or arbitration before any disputes are resolved by the courts. Mediation is a process by which a third party serves as a sort of intermediary in settlement negotiations between the parties to the contract. The mediator can help keep negotiations on track, and suggest possible solutions the parties might not have thought of. The mediator can't issue a binding decision, however. Arbitration is a procedure through which the parties agree to have their dispute resolved by a third party, which can render a binding decision. Arbitration can be quicker and cheaper than litigation, and it has some other advantages, as well.

Because of the large cost in time and money involved, litigation in Buena Park, California is regarded a last resort. However, in rare cases, it does become necessary.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Buena Park, California

Delays in Construction: Delays are frequently points of contention between contractors and landowners. Contracts sometimes have clauses which explicitly state that the project needs to be completed by a certain date, or penalties will be imposed on the contractor (reduced payments, for example). However, if the contract doesn't contain such built-in remedies, or one party refuses to abide by them, litigation may be necessary. If a contractor causes a delay that it could have prevented, it will typically be liable to the landowner for any harm resulting from it.

Owner's refusal to pay: if the contractor finishes a project to specifications, and the owner of the property doesn't pay the contractor, the contractor will most likely file a lawsuit to recover the agreed-upon price. In such cases, the owner will typically argue that the contractor's work wasn't of acceptable quality. In these cases, the court must decide who first breached the contract. In these cases, it's the party who did not breach first who wins the lawsuit. If the court finds that the contractor breached the contract through sub-quality work product, the owner will not be responsible for payment (though he may have to pay for materials and labor), and if the court finds that the construction was acceptable, the owner has to pay, because he is the party in breach.

Subcontractors: With big construction projects, contractors typically hire other, smaller contractors to do some of the work for them. This is typically work of a specialized nature, which the general contractor isn't equipped to handle (such as plumbing or electrical wiring). The general contractor is the one who is responsible for the satisfactory completion of the project. If a subcontractor makes a mistake, or causes a delay, the general contractor is ultimately liable to the person who hired them. Nonetheless, if they are sued for the mistakes of a subcontractor, and lose, they can then sue the subcontractor to recover their losses.

Mechanic's Lien: If the contractor wins in a case against the land owner, and the court orders the owner to pay the contractor for services rendered, the contractor needs a way to secure payment, if the owner refuses. In some cases, a mechanic's lien permits the contractor to force the sale of the land, and any improvements to it, in order to secure payment for the services it provided.

Can a Buena Park, California Attorney Help?

Disputes over construction delays or defects can be extremely taxing. Therefore, getting an efficient Buena Park, California real estate attorney might mean the difference between success or failure in your business ventures.

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Life in Buena Park

Buena Park, California has a population of over 80,000 and is located in the northwestern parts of Orange County. The city is nicknamed "the Center of the Southland", due to its central location in the county. Many tourist attractions can be found in Buena Park, most notably the Knot's Berry Farm amusement park.

In Buena Park, many of its famous attractions can be found in the "E-Zone" district. Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City, and several other popular establishments are situated in the district. The E-Zone is also adjacent to Anaheim, home of Disneyland. Thus, the economy of Buena Park has benefited greatly from the operation of the E-Zone district. Other top employers in Buena Park, California include major companies such as ProLogis and Nutrilite.

Other popular places to visit in Buena Park are its local historic park, the Ralph B. Clark Regional Park, and Los Coyotes Country Club. Los Coyotes Country Club is a world-renowned establishment featuring three unique 9-hole course layouts. Los Coyotes also boasts many of the county's most desirable real estate properties.

Lawyers in Buena Park, California file many of their claims at the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, which is located nearby. Buena Park attorneys assist their clients in a number of different legal claims and issues. Many of them are members of multiple bar associations and legal organizations.

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Buena Park Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in California

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Buena Park, California