Thornton Construction Dispute Lawyers

Find the right Construction Dispute attorney in Thornton, CO

Construction Dispute Law in Colorado

When a property owner and a general contractor contract for a construction project to take place on some property in Thornton, Colorado, 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, the owners of land and contractors can end disputes before they get too serious, thus eliminating the need for litigation. Most contracts governing construction projects have built-in remedies for the most common problems, typically requiring the party that causes a delay or other problem to pay the other party a set fee.

And even if disputes can't be resolved so easily, the courts still don't necessarily have to get engaged. For example, a construction contract may require mediation before any further action is taken. Mediation is a process by which a third party tries to guide the parties to the dispute to a settlement. The mediator cannot, however, render any binding decision. Another option is arbitration. This is where the parties go to a private arbitration service, which can render a binding judgment (usually enforceable through contract law, as the parties agree in advance to abide by the arbitrator's decision). Arbitration has advantages over litigation, as the parties can have a say in choosing the arbitrator (allowing them to have their case arbitrated by an expert on construction disputes, for example).

Litigation of a Thornton, Colorado construction dispute is never something that anyone wants to do. Nonetheless, there are sometimes no other options.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Thornton, Colorado

Delays: If the contractor is culpable in a major delay in a construction project (a delay of weeks or months, for example), a lawsuit could result. If the contract specifically states that completion by a specific date is very important, or the builder has a good reason to know this, a court will often award the owner compensation for any economic harm caused by a delay.

Owner's refusal to pay: Contractors can also be the victims in construction disputes. Sometimes, the person who hired them will refuse to pay the agreed-upon fee, or withhold a portion of it. This, without more, certainly constitutes breach of contract. However, in such cases, the owner will rarely go to court and say "I just didn't feel like paying, so I didn't." Alternatively, they will claim that they had a very good reason to withhold all or part of the payment, such as unsatisfactory work by the contractor. In these cases, the court has to determine if the owner has a valid reason for not paying. If it concludes that he or she does not, it will order the owner to pay the agreed-upon price.

Subcontractor Disputes: With very considerable construction projects, general contractors don't always have the resources to do all the work themselves, so they hire other contractors to do some of the work for them. However, it is the general contractor who is ultimately responsible to the owner for the satisfactory completion of the project. So, it is very critical to the general contractor that subcontractors do a good job. If the subcontractor causes a delay or other problem, and the owner sues the general contractor as a result, the general contractor can then go after the subcontractor to recover whatever it lost in the lawsuit.

Mechanic's Liens: If the contractor sues a land owner and wins, he will likely obtain a monetary judgment. If the owner refuses to pay, the contractor needs some way to recover. This is where the mechanic's lien comes into play. It permits a contractor to force the sale of the land or other real property that he just worked on, and use those proceeds to cover costs.

Can a Thornton, Colorado Attorney Help?

Construction disputes can be time-consuming and costly. Hiring a knowledgeable Thornton, Colorado real estate attorney can make it much easier to deal with such disputes, and help you avoid litigation, or prevail if litigation becomes necessary.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Thornton

The city of Thornton, Colorado has a population of about 118,000 and is located in Weld and Adams counties. Thornton's location near the city of Denver and near the Rocky Mountains allows for ample opportunities for business, residence, and recreational activities. Thornton's community is marked by a high degree of volunteerism and participation in local events.

Thornton, Colorado is an unique city in that it actively pursues development of recreation programs and facilities. Overall, Thornton boasts over 80 city parks and more than 1,000 acres of land designated for public parks. The city also maintains numerous athletic fields, swimming pools, tennis courts, and gymnasiums. Indoor and outdoor facilities provide Thornton residents with ample opportunities for leisure activities year-round.

There are many opportunities for business and retail shopping in Thornton, Colorado. Popular places for residents and tourists to visit include Larkridge Mall, Thorncreek Crossing Shopping Center, and Thornton Town Center. These locations offer many choices for restaurants and national retail stores. Thornton is also surrounded by nine major colleges and universities within a 45-mile radius. These include Regis University and University of Denver. Many Thornton residents work at these institutions, and events and festivals are often held on the campuses.

Lawyers in Thornton, Colorado offer legal services in a broad range of fields. Many Thornton lawyers are members of multiple state and county bar associations. The Thornton Municipal Court is where many lawyers process legal claims.

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