In an industry where anything that can go wrong€"and frequently does, construction disputes, claims, arbitration, and litigation are a part and parcel of doing business. If you want to run a successful contracting and construction business in Weston, you are going to need two things: a solid construction contract, and a Weston based construction law attorney.
The Contract
Having a solid, clearly defined contract will save you a lot of time, trouble and money in the event of a dispute situation. Even if you are an experienced contractor, it's a good idea to have a basic construction agreement form developed by an experienced Westin construction law attorney. And if there are any special circumstances or unusual terms and conditions added for a specific job, cover your bases by having your attorney check it over before you finalize the contract. Some contractors let the project bid do double duty as the construction agreement, but bids are really not specific enough in the terms and conditions of the project, nor do they cover methods of dispute, so they leave a lot of room for interpretation- and that means greater conflict in the event of a problem.
A good construction agreement contract should provide both you and your client with solid ground on which to stand in the event of a dispute. Make sure that the agreement is a formal contract, separate from any other bids, project outlines or other documentation, and that it fully identifies and provides current contact information for all parties involved in the project. It should provide a timeline and complete specifications for the materials to be used and work to be done, the pricing and payment schedule, agreement on who will provide any necessary permits, as well as outline any conditions or guaranties offered by the contractor or client. All insurance and bonds pertaining to the project should be listed, naming the policy holders. A termination clause should be included, setting down the terms under which either party can legally terminate the contract, and methods of dispute, such as arbitration, a pre-agreed upon settlement amount, and litigation conditions should be fully stated as well.
The Attorney
Construction law is a highly specialized field, and beyond that, the laws and regulations pertaining to construction disputes, arbitration and litigation can vary by state- or county- so hiring a construction attorney who is experienced in working within your locale is crucial. What does that mean? It means that if your job is in Weston, you need to find yourself a good Weston construction law attorney, and the best way to do that is to go through official channels. Associations such as the Florida State Bar and the National Utility Contractors can provide you with lists of local construction attorneys and law firms, and you can check out their reputation and track records online at the Florida State Bar, Consumer Affairs and Attorney General's Office, and the BBB websites.
The Contract
Having a solid, clearly defined contract will save you a lot of time, trouble and money in the event of a dispute situation. Even if you are an experienced contractor, it's a good idea to have a basic construction agreement form developed by an experienced Westin construction law attorney. And if there are any special circumstances or unusual terms and conditions added for a specific job, cover your bases by having your attorney check it over before you finalize the contract. Some contractors let the project bid do double duty as the construction agreement, but bids are really not specific enough in the terms and conditions of the project, nor do they cover methods of dispute, so they leave a lot of room for interpretation- and that means greater conflict in the event of a problem.
A good construction agreement contract should provide both you and your client with solid ground on which to stand in the event of a dispute. Make sure that the agreement is a formal contract, separate from any other bids, project outlines or other documentation, and that it fully identifies and provides current contact information for all parties involved in the project. It should provide a timeline and complete specifications for the materials to be used and work to be done, the pricing and payment schedule, agreement on who will provide any necessary permits, as well as outline any conditions or guaranties offered by the contractor or client. All insurance and bonds pertaining to the project should be listed, naming the policy holders. A termination clause should be included, setting down the terms under which either party can legally terminate the contract, and methods of dispute, such as arbitration, a pre-agreed upon settlement amount, and litigation conditions should be fully stated as well.
The Attorney
Construction law is a highly specialized field, and beyond that, the laws and regulations pertaining to construction disputes, arbitration and litigation can vary by state- or county- so hiring a construction attorney who is experienced in working within your locale is crucial. What does that mean? It means that if your job is in Weston, you need to find yourself a good Weston construction law attorney, and the best way to do that is to go through official channels. Associations such as the Florida State Bar and the National Utility Contractors can provide you with lists of local construction attorneys and law firms, and you can check out their reputation and track records online at the Florida State Bar, Consumer Affairs and Attorney General's Office, and the BBB websites.
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