Dalton Construction Dispute Lawyers

Find the right Construction Dispute attorney in Dalton, GA

Construction Dispute Law in Georgia

When a property owner and a general contractor contract for a construction project to take place on some property in Dalton, Georgia, 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.

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 someone else needs to get engaged to resolve a dispute, this does not automatically mean litigation is necessary. For example, the parties might attempt mediation, in which a neutral third party tries to help guide the parties to an agreement, but cannot render a binding decision himself. They might also agree to arbitration, during which a third party is able to render a binding decision. Arbitration is typically done through a private company, and may cost less than litigation, and is overseen by an arbitrator who is an expert in the relevant field.

Construction Dispute litigation in Dalton, Georgia is typically time-consuming and expensive. But it is sometimes necessary, typically as a last resort.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Dalton, Georgia

Major Delays: If the contractor or a subcontractor is at fault in causing a considerable 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 typically 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 typically 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.

Subcontractor Disputes: When a construction company is contracted to complete a large project, there is typically 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. However, the general contractor (the one that the landowner hired to do the work) is still responsible 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: 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 permits 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 Dalton, Georgia Attorney Help?

If you have a construction dispute, you should first try to resolve it amicably with the other party. If this fails, it is almost always essential to hire a Dalton, Georgia construction disputes attorney, who can advise you on the next steps in the process.

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Life in Dalton

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, Dalton, Georgia is a self-proclaimed great place to live, work, and play. Home to roughly 33,000 residents Dalton has major Southern charm.

Known as the carpet capital of the world, Dalton is home to many of the nation's top carpet companies. Home to over 150 carpet factories, more than 90% of the world's carpet is produced in Dalton! Dalton also had many civil war relics and other historical sites, making it a great place for history buffs to visit and Dalton residents to admire and ejoy. In fact, Dalton was recently recognized as having more intact Civil Way artifacts than any other city in the country.

Fast forwarding from the civil war, Dalton is also home to many talented lawyers. Dalton lawyers specialize in a range of legal issues and are available to help serve their clients in any capacity they may find themselves dealing with. If you find yourself in Dalton, and in need of a top-notch attorney, then look no further. Dalton,Georgia is a great place for carpet, history lessons, and great attorneys.

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