Plantation Construction Dispute Lawyers

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 Plantation, Florida, 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.

In the majority of cases, it's possible for landowners and contractors to resolve disputes amicably. There are many ways to do this, such as a simple verbal agreement to lower the contract price due to a mistake made by the contractor, for example, or an agreement to a slight price increase in the event of unforeseen obstacles beyond the control of either party.

Even if the parties can't easily resolve their disputes, and someone else needs to intervene, that somebody doesn't always need to be a judge or jury. Many construction disputes call for mediation, during which a neutral third party helps the parties to the dispute negotiate a settlement. They might also go through arbitration, during which a third party renders a binding decision.

Litigation of construction disputes in Plantation, Florida can be extremely time-consuming, stressful, and costly. Nevertheless, there are (relatively rare) occasions where it is the only option.

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

Delays: Some minor delays in a construction project are all but guaranteed to occur. Usually, if contracts require a specific completion date, the contractor will give itself longer than the project would take under ideal circumstances, to account for possible delays. Furthermore, construction contracts usually attempt to insure against delays, such as imposing fees on contractors if the project is delayed beyond a certain point. If no such clause is included in a contract, a court will usually award the client damages that could have been reasonably anticipated at the time the contract was entered into.

Refusal to Pay: Contractors can be on the other side of legal disputes, as well. Sometimes, the landowners who hired them refuse to pay. This is usually because the landowner believes that the contractor didn't perform under the terms of the contract, or that the work was unsatisfactory. If this is the case, it may ultimately be up to a court to decide who is right. If the contractor did, in fact, do poor work, the landowner will be excused, at least in part, from his duty to pay. If, on the other hand, the work was satisfactory, the court will order the landowner to pay the contract price immediately, and may award additional damages if the refusal to pay was done in bad faith, or if it caused foreseeable economic harm to the contractor.

Subcontractors: With big construction projects, contractors usually hire other, smaller contractors to do some of the work for them. This is usually 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. However, 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: When a contractor wins a lawsuit against a client for nonpayment of the contract price, and the client still refuses to pay, there is a problem: a monetary judgment means next to nothing if it can't be enforced. To solve this problem, the mechanic's lien has been developed. Essentially, if a landowner refuses to pay a contractor, even in the face of a court order, the court can force a sale of the property that the contractor worked on, along with all the improvements on it, and then give the proceeds to the contractor, to secure payment.

Can a Plantation, Florida Attorney Help?

If you are involved in a dispute over a construction project, you should try to avoid litigation, and settle the matter as amicably as possible. However, litigation is sometimes necessary, and a Plantation, Florida construction disputes attorney can be of great help.

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Life in Plantation

Plantation is a South Florida city that is home to 90,000 Broward County residents. The namesake of Plantation is the owner of the Everglades Plantation Company that proliferated the motto "the grass is greener." Most people would know the Plantation City Hall and Plantation Golf Course from the movies There's Something About Mary and Caddyshack. Plantation is an ethnically diverse city and one of the most popular Fort Lauderdale suburbs. Popular among families, the city has 20 schools and many are private institutions. Just because Plantation is a suburb does not mean it's not a booming city too. Shipping giant DHL's World Headquarters, American Intercontinental University, University of Phoenix, the great Broward Mall and the Fashion Mall are all within Plantation city limits making it much more of a destination for locals and tourists.

Plantation is a standout community that plays host to a handful of lawyers. Plantation lawyers are familiar with local courts and will be able to help you figure out the best options for your legal matter. Plantation is home to a number of NFL players like Chad Ochocinco, Ty Law, Mike McKenzie, Zack Thomas, and rapper Fat Joe. With such and illustrious cast of residents you shouldn't be surprised to find out Plantation is one of the quickest growing cities in Broward County. There has also been an influx of new retail stores and accommodations for travelers who have come to visit the Everglades or Fort Lauderdale. There are also some well-rated restaurants that attract clientele from around the world.

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Plantation Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in Florida

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