Oak Lawn Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in Illinois

When a property owner and a general contractor contract for a construction project to take place on some property in Oak Lawn, Illinois, 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 overwhelming majority of instances, however, these problems are resolvable, and do not lead to major disputes. Being rational, business-minded adults, landowners and construction contractors are typically able to resolve disputes amongst themselves. After all, both stand to gain if the project is completed, and the contractor is paid.

And even if disputes can't be resolved so easily, the courts still don't necessarily have to get engaged. For example, a construction contract may require mediation before any further action is taken. Mediation is a process by which a third party tries to guide the parties to the dispute to a settlement. The mediator cannot, however, render any binding decision. Another option is arbitration. This is where the parties go to a private arbitration service, which can render a binding judgment (usually enforceable through contract law, as the parties agree in advance to abide by the arbitrator's decision). Arbitration has advantages over litigation, as the parties can have a say in choosing the arbitrator (allowing them to have their case arbitrated by an expert on construction disputes, for example).

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

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Oak Lawn, Illinois

Delays: If the contractor is culpable in a major delay in a construction project (a delay of weeks or months, for example), a lawsuit could result. If the contract specifically states that completion by a specific date is very important, or the builder has a good reason to know this, a court will often award the owner compensation for any economic harm caused by a delay.

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 typically 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 considerably less than the contract price.

Subcontractors: With big construction projects, contractors typically hire other, smaller contractors to do some of the work for them. This is typically 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: Sometimes, when a contractor wins in a lawsuit against the landowner who hired him or her, and obtains a court order for payment, the contractor will still refuse to pay. Since a money judgment isn't worth much without a way to enforce it, the laws of many states have evolved to permit what's known as a "mechanic's lien." As a last resort, if a landowner refuses to pay the contractor for work done on the property, the contractor can force a sale of the property, and keep the proceeds, up to the amount of money owed.

Can a Oak Lawn, Illinois 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 essential, and an Oak Lawn, Illinois construction disputes attorney can be of great help.

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Life in Oak Lawn

Oak Lawn, IL is a village in Cook County. Its population is approximately 55,000 as of the 2000 Census.

Being in Cook County, Oak Lawn is generally considered to be a suburb of Chicago. Residents of Oak Lawn are particularly proud of their city's park system, which is composed of over 300 acres of open green space, parks, and recreational facilities, such as basketball and tennis courts, as well as baseball and soccer fields.

The downtown area of Oak Lawn, Illinois went nearly a decade without significant new construction. However, in recent years, it has undergone a major redevelopment, with the intent of revitalizing the area, and creating jobs. New condominium developments, office space, as well as many new spaces for retailers and restaurants were all added, significantly revitalizing the area.

This seems to have been effective, as the percentage of people living below the poverty line in Oak Lawn, Illinois is far lower than the national average, which is about 20%. By contrast, only 5% of the population of Oak Lawn lives below the poverty line.

There are many lawyers in and around Oak Law, Illinois who can help you with virtually any legal problem you might have. Oak Lawn, Illinois attorneys are always ready to help.

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Construction Dispute Law in Illinois

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Oak Lawn, Illinois