Chapel Hill Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in North Carolina

Owners of real estate in Chapel Hill, North Carolina frequently contract with other parties ("contractors") for construction on the property they own. Such projects are likely to suffer at least a few minor setbacks, and any project also carries the risk of major setbacks, delays, or unexpected costs.

Typically, contractors and landowners can resolve minor disputes amongst themselves, without having to resort to litigation. Frequently, construction contracts contain built-in remedies for mistakes and delays that can be easily corrected, such as payments to the owner for every day the project is delayed.

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 avenue 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 benefits 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 a Chapel Hill, North Carolina construction dispute is never something that anyone wants to do. Nonetheless, there are sometimes no other avenues.

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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 particularly 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: Contractors can be on the other side of legal disagreements, 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 further 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 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. Nonetheless, if they are sued for the mistakes of a subcontractor, and lose, they can then sue the subcontractor to recover their losses.

Mechanic's Lien: If the contractor wins in a case 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 permits 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 Chapel Hill, North Carolina 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 imperative, and a Chapel Hill, North Carolina construction disputes attorney can be of great help.

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Life in Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill is located in Orange County, North Carolina. Chapel Hill is well-known because it is home to the University of North Carolina. It is also known because it helps comprise the "Research Triangle," which includes Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh.

Interestingly, Chapel Hill is nicknamed "America's Foodiest Small Town" by Bon Appetit Magazine. Some popular restaurants are A Southern Season, Foster's Markeet, Mama's Dip's, Crook's Corner, Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen, Caffee Driade, and The Lantern Restaurant. Many of these places have been recognized by Martha Stewart, Rachael Ray, and the Food Network!

Chapel Hill is also home to many attorneys who help keep the legal force strong. This, in turn, helps residnets and local businesses because all their legal matters will be handled appropriately.

Some famous residents of Chapel Hill include Chris Stamey, Dean Smith, Jack Hogan, John Grisham, Hubert Davis, Ash Bowie, and K.A. Applegate.

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Chapel Hill Construction Dispute Lawyers

Construction Dispute Law in North Carolina

Examples of Construction Disputes That Might Lead to Litigation in Chapel Hill, North Carolina