Trumbull Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in Connecticut

When a property owner and a general contractor contract for a construction project to take place on some property in Trumbull, Connecticut, whether it's a house, some landscaping, or a remodeling project, there is always a chance 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, usually requiring the party that causes a delay or other problem to pay the other party a set fee.

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 usually 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 process through which the parties agree to have their dispute resolved by a third party, which can render a binding decision. Arbitration can be faster and cheaper than litigation, and it has some other advantages, as well.

Because of the large cost in time and money involved, litigation in Trumbull, Connecticut is considered a last resort. However, in rare cases, it does become necessary.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Trumbull, Connecticut

Delays in Construction: Delays are often 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 usually be liable to the landowner for any harm resulting from it.

Refusal to Pay: Disputes can also arise from a client's refusal or inability to hold up his end of the deal. Sometimes, once a project is complete, or nearly so, a landowner will express an unwillingness to pay the contractor for his services. There might be a variety of reasons for this - sudden loss of money, or dissatisfaction with the quality of the work are a few examples. It's rare that a client will refuse to pay a contractor simply because they don't feel like it (and if that is the reason, they'll usually come up with a better one to argue in court). In these cases, a court will sometimes have to decide if the client is obligated to pay the full price. If the work was, indeed, not up to the standards laid out in the contract, the contractor is not entitled to the full price, but is still entitled to the actual value of the work, even if it's significantly less than the contract price.

Subcontractor Disputes: In large projects, contractors often can't handle every aspect of the construction, so they hire other (usually smaller) contractors to do some specialized work for them, such as plumbing, electrical installations, and the like. The general contractor, however, is responsible to the owner for anything that goes wrong. If a subcontractor messes up, and the owner sues the contractor, the contractor will have to pay. However, the contractor can then go after the subcontractor to recover whatever he had to pay.

Mechanic's Liens: A mechanic's lien is a way for a contractor to secure payment if a landowner refuses to pay. In such cases, if the contractor sues and wins, he or she can sometimes impose a mechanic's lien on the property he or she just worked on. This allows the contractor to force a sale of the property to cover the judgment. It is usually used when other attempts to secure payment fail.

Can a Trumbull, Connecticut Attorney Help?

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

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

(where you need legal help)

Can't find a category?

Life in Trumbull

The town of Trumbull is located in Fairfield, Connecticut. It has consistently been ranked by several magazines as one of the top 100 best places to live in the U.S. In 1997, a time capsule was planted at the city's Bicentennial Fountain, to be opened on October 12, 2097, which would mark the city's tri-centennial anniversary.

Part of Trumbull's appeal lies in its many attractions and places to visit. For example, popular tourist sites include the Trumbull Nature Arts Center, the Trumbull Historical Society Museum, and the Town Hall Gazebo. The Town Hall Gazebo hosts several night concerts during the summer season.

Trumbull is also home to the Tashua Recreation Facility, a 268 acre facility that houses basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, a swimming pool and a multi-purpose field. Outdoor enthusiasts also have plenty of opportunities for activities, as Trumbull has dedicated over 1,600 acres for recreation and open space parks.

Lawyers in Trumbull, Connecticut spend much of their time at the Fairfield Judicial District Superior Court, where they litigate a variety of legal claims. Many Trumbull lawyers are members of multiple Bar Associations in addition to the Connecticut Bar Association.

Find a Lawyer

that specializes in your area of need

Real Estate Attorneys

in other Connecticut cities and towns

Clients Rate LegalMatch Attorneys
(click to read reviews)

Nicholas M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Golden, CO

Carl M.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Seattle, WA

David A.

Real Estate, Housing & Property Law

Walnut Creek, CA

Choose Your Legal Category:

Choose Your Legal Category:

LegalMatch Resources

Construction Dispute Law in Connecticut

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Trumbull, Connecticut