Coral Springs Construction Dispute Lawyers

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Construction Dispute Law in Florida

When a property owner and a general contractor contract for a construction project to take place on some property in Coral Springs, Florida, whether it's a house, some landscaping, or a remodeling project, there is always a risk 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 disagreements 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, normally 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 normally 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.

Litigating a construction dispute in Coral Springs, Florida is definitely not something that anybody likes doing. Nonetheless, it is sometimes necessary, as a last resort.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Coral Springs, Florida

Major Delays: If the contractor or a subcontractor is at fault in causing a massive delay to a project (several months, for example), this may lead to a lawsuit. If the contract stated that time was of the essence for some reason (maybe the project was a new store that the owner hoped to open before the holiday shopping season, for example), a court can normally award the owner any damages that were caused by the delay.

Owner's refusal to pay: Contractors can also be the victims in construction disagreements. 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." Rather, 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 situations, 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: When a construction company is contracted to complete a large project, there is normally a great deal of specialized work to be done which they aren't equipped to handle. As a result, they hire other contractors, who, in this arrangement, are subcontractors, to do some of the work. Nonetheless, the general contractor (the one that the landowner hired to do the work) is still accountable for the completion of the project - if a subcontractor causes a problem, the general contractor is on the hook for it. This sometimes leads to landowners suing general contractors for the mistakes of subcontractors. If the general contractor loses, and has to pay the client, the general contractor can then sue the subcontractor for whatever amount of money it had to pay.

Mechanic's Liens: If the contractor sues a land owner and wins, he will likely obtain a monetary judgment. If the owner declines to pay, the contractor needs some way to recover. This is where the mechanic's lien comes into play. It authorizes 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 Coral Springs, Florida Attorney Help?

Construction disputes can be time-consuming and costly. Hiring a seasoned Coral Springs, Florida 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 Coral Springs

Coral Springs, Florida, is part of Broward County and has a population of about 126,000 people. Coral Springs has received many accolades for its family-friendly atmosphere, low crime rates, and overall quality of living.

The city of Coral Springs, Florida is known for having a distinct, unique appeal amongst other Florida cities. Part of the city's charm may be attributed to strict zoning and housing codes that enhance its aesthetic appeal. Also, Coral Springs was master-planned and developed primarily by Coral Ridge Properties, which is also where the city gets its name from. Much of the city's economic success can be attributed to excellent planning.

Coral Springs also maintains several parks, museums, and recreation centers. A popular attraction is the Coral Springs Center for the Arts, which also contains a theater capable of seating over 1,400 people. Art classes and community programs are held at Coral Springs Museum of Art. The city also hosts the "Our Town" festival, which attracts over 200,000 visitors yearly. Participants in the festival enjoy a mix of activities such as carnival rides, a parade, and a beauty pageant.

Lawyers in Coral Springs, Florida are available for consultation and representation in court. Attorneys in Coral Springs, Florida contribute their services to the progress and well-being of the city and its residents.

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