Santa Monica Construction Dispute Lawyers

Find the right Construction Dispute attorney in Santa Monica, CA

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 Santa Monica, California, 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 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 a Santa Monica, California 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 Santa Monica, California

Major Delays: If the contractor or a subcontractor is at fault in causing a large 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 usually award the owner any damages that were caused by the delay.

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 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 allows 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 Santa Monica, California Attorney Help?

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

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Santa Monica

Santa Monica, California is an affluent beachfront city in Los Angeles County. It has a population of about 90,000 people.

It is known for its scenic setting on the shores of the Santa Monica Bay, its laid-back culture, and affluent population.

Many notable businesses and organizations have their headquarters in and near Santa Monica, California, providing a major boost to the city's economy. These companies include Universal Music Group, Lions Gate Films, the RAND Corporation, and others. Many other companies also have branch offices in Santa Monica, California including Google, Volkswagen, and Microsoft.

These companies employ and retain a large number of Santa Monica, California lawyers, many of whom have very sophisticated and successful practices.

Accordingly, there's almost certainly a Santa Monica, California attorney who can help you with whatever legal issue you might have. Santa Monica, California lawyers are ready to hear your case.

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