Board-Certified In Construction Law By The Florida Bar
Construction projects often involve several parties, and payment delays can create problems for everyone involved. In Florida, subcontractors, sub-subcontractors and suppliers who do not contract directly with the property owner usually must follow Notice to Owner...
A construction lien is meant to ensure fair payment for hard work, but a few malicious actors manipulate this legal tool to place fabricated financial claims. Luckily, the state takes this seriously and imposes harsh penalties on those who do. What makes a lien...
Contractors and suppliers on Florida public projects may need to use a payment bond when they are not paid for labor or materials. Unlike private jobs, public projects do not use mechanics liens in the same way, so the bond is often the main path to recovery. What...
Few situations put a contractor in a more difficult position than continuing to mobilize crews and purchase materials when payments have stopped. The instinct to walk off the job until outstanding invoices are settled is understandable, but stopping work in Florida...
Construction projects do not always end when the last worker leaves the job site. Owners, contractors and subcontractors may disagree about when the project reaches a stage where key responsibilities change. In Florida, substantial completion is an important...
When a Florida construction project stalls because of billing or workmanship concerns, the contract may require the parties to resolve their disagreement through arbitration instead of court. Understanding the range of claims covered by that clause can help you...
A small mistake in a change order clause can lead to a costly dispute. Unclear contract terms often create confusion over work, payment, approvals and deadlines. When those issues cannot be resolved, arbitration may follow. Knowing where these clauses fall short and...
You have invested significantly in a construction project, and now you are facing a serious defect. Your instinct may be to pursue legal action immediately, but Florida law requires you to follow a specific process before you can file a lawsuit. Understanding that...
Many construction disputes revolve around patent defects. These are things that come to light relatively quickly, so they can cause an immediate dispute. This could be true even if the job is far from completion. A patent defect is something that a reasonable...
Issues over payments are one of the fastest ways a Florida construction project can slide into conflict. What starts as a simple disagreement over a pay application can quickly turn into liens, bond claims, work slowdowns and strained relationships between owners,...