There are a lot of issues that can lead to litigation in the construction industry. Perhaps the most common amongst them, though, is change orders. It’s not surprising when you think about it. Not everything can be anticipated in a construction contract, regardless of how hard you try. So it’s inevitable that changes will have to be made with additional compensation being paid.
Anticipate causes of change orders
There are many, many reasons why change orders are made. However, by being aware of some of the more common and problematic causes, you can be proactive in addressing them on the front end, which could end up saving you time and money in the long run.
For example, poor design coordination can be problematic. A lot of change orders come from poor coordination amongst the various aspects of a construction project. HVAC professionals may fail to take into account where support beams need to be placed or an engineer was unaware that air units would be mounted on the roof rather than the ground. Other issues that you might be able to anticipate include incomplete designs and defective specifications. Be diligent in the planning phase of your construction project and make sure you have a holistic understanding of the project before moving forward.
Owner changes and nondisclosure
Of course, change orders might become necessary even if you’ve done your due diligence. Many times, property owner fails to disclose information that has serious ramifications for the project at hand, such as lack of staging area or extensive bedrock in an excavation site. Also, an owner may want to change certain aspects of the construction project. Here, you’ll want to be clear with your change orders to ensure that they’re enforceable and that you’re paid fairly.
Find help dealing with your change order problems
Poorly handled change orders can have a tremendous impact on your business. That’s why you need to approach these matters in a knowledgeable fashion. If you think that you could benefit from the assistance of an experienced construction law attorneys.