Dundalk Construction Dispute Lawyers

Find the right Construction Dispute attorney in Dundalk, MD

Construction Dispute Law in Maryland

When the owner of some real estate and a contractor enter an agreement for a construction project in Dundalk, Maryland, be it a house, landscaping project, or huge office building, there's always a chance that problems will come up, no matter how careful everyone is. A few minor setbacks are almost inevitable, in fact.

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 a third party gets involved, it does not always need to be a court. Private mediators can help the parties reach a settlement, or a private arbitrator who is an expert on construction litigation can render a binding decision, if mediation and negotiation fail and the parties can't resolve their dispute.

Construction Dispute litigation in Dundalk, Maryland is normally time-consuming and expensive. But it is sometimes necessary, normally as a last resort.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Dundalk, Maryland

Delays: Some minor delays in a construction project are all but guaranteed to occur. Normally, 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. Additionally, 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 normally 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: In large projects, contractors often can't handle every aspect of the construction, so they hire other (normally smaller) contractors to do some specialized work for them, such as plumbing, electrical installations, and the like. The general contractor, however, is responsible to the owner for anything that goes wrong. If a subcontractor messes up, and the owner sues the contractor, the contractor will have to pay. However, the contractor can then go after the subcontractor to recover whatever he had to pay.

Mechanic's Lien: If the contractor wins in a lawsuit against the land owner, and the court orders the owner to pay the contractor for services rendered, the contractor needs a way to secure payment, if the owner refuses. In some cases, a mechanic's lien authorizes the contractor to force the sale of the land, and any improvements to it, in order to secure payment for the services it provided.

Can a Dundalk, Maryland Attorney Help?

Construction disputes can be time-consuming and costly. Hiring a brilliant Dundalk, Maryland real estate attorney can make it much easier to deal with such disputes, and help you avoid litigation, or prevail if litigation becomes necessary.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Dundalk

Dundalk, Maryland is a community situated in Baltimore County. It has a population of over 62,000 people. It is a major suburb of Baltimore, and one of the largest unincorporated communities in Maryland.

It is named after the town of Dundalk, Ireland. The name was given to the community by Henry McShane, who established the McShane Bell Foundry in the city, and hailed from Dundalk, Ireland. The McShane Foundry manufactured large church bells, and was one of the first major industrial concerns in the area.

Dundalk, Maryland's general look benefits from the presence of many beautiful historic buildings. Its climate, like the rest of its region, is humid and sub-tropical, which means it has hot and humid summers, but pleasant springs and falls, along with relatively mild winters. Its low elevation and location next to the Chesapeake Bay give it a much milder climate than many nearby areas.

For those who work in or near Baltimore, Dundalk is a good place to live, allowing residents to enjoy the "small town" feel of the local community, while giving them easy access to a major city, and all of the benefits that entails, such as jobs and amenities.

There are many Dundalk, Maryland lawyers who can help you with whatever legal problem you might have. If you are facing any type of legal issue, large or small, a Dundalk, Maryland lawyer can help.

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