Oak Park 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 Park, Illinois, 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 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 usually 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 involved. 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 (generally 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 Park, Illinois 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 Oak Park, 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 certain 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 usually 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 significantly less than the contract price.

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: 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 allow 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 Park, Illinois Attorney Help?

Construction disputes and disagreements can be very difficult to deal with alone. The assistance of an Oak Park, Illinois real estate attorney can make the process of dealing with these disputes much quicker and easier.

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Life in Oak Park

Oak Park, Illinois is a suburb of Chicago, located in Cook County. Its population, as of a 2003 Census estimate, is about 50,000 people.

Via the Chicago Loop, residents and visitors to Oak Park, Illinois, have very easy access to downtown Chicago, and all the amenities and economic opportunities that only one of the nation's largest cities can provide.

The history of Oak Park can be traced back to the 1830s, when a settler purchased about 170 acres of land outside Chicago. By 1850, the area was home to a railroad station, around which future growth would be based. Following the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population of what would become Oak Park began to boom, due to many residents relocating after losing their homes or businesses. Oak Park, Illinois was officially established as town in 1902.

Modernly, Oak Park is known for its many historic buildings, healthy economy, and excellent school system.

Because Oak Park, Illinois is such an attractive place to live for many people, it should be no surprise that plenty of lawyers have set up shop there. Oak Park, Illinois lawyers can handle just about any legal issue a resident of the area is likely to have. If you need any legal assistance, an Oak Park, Illinois lawyer is the first person you should call.

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Construction Dispute Law in Illinois

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