Construction contracts outline roles, safeguarding your work and reputation. Projects can hit roadblocks for any number of reasons. As a common example, a subcontractor might fall behind or ignore specifications. When that happens, both your timeline and your budget come under pressure. A construction attorney can help you examine the situation, explain your options, and write contracts to minimize disputes.
Know What Counts as a Breach
Not all setbacks are breaches of contract. Sometimes things stall, but the agreement stays intact. But if someone refuses to complete tasks, uses substandard materials, or strays far from the plan, it may be a serious breach. A construction lawyer can explain the difference. They’ll examine the original contract and compare it to what happened on-site. That guidance helps you determine whether you can resolve things informally or need to pursue a legal remedy.
Keep Track of Every Detail
As soon as something feels off, start documenting everything. Save emails, text threads, invoices, change orders, and inspection notes. These items build a timeline of the problem and clearly show where things veered off course. That evidence becomes essential if the issue grows into a dispute.
Try to Fix It Without Court
Litigation takes time and energy best spent on your jobsite. If you think the other party is open to fixing the problem, let them try. Often, the process begins with a written notice. This letter should outline the issue, your expectations, and a reasonable deadline for correction. Even if the matter ends up in court later, showing that you tried to resolve things peacefully works in your favor. It shows you were reasonable and tried to avoid legal action.
What Legal Options Look Like
If the breach is serious and can’t be resolved directly, consulting your construction attorney is the ideal solution. A construction lawyer will explore your best course of action based on the facts. Your options may include:
- Filing a claim for financial damages, especially if delays or errors caused project costs to rise.
- Requesting specific performance, where the court forces the other party to meet their original obligations.
- Terminating the contract, allows you to bring in a new contractor and recover certain costs.
- Seeking injunctive relief, to stop harmful work or behavior from continuing.
- Entering mediation or arbitration, if required.
Each path depends on the contract’s terms and the severity of the breach. Knowing your options helps you avoid wasting time on a strategy that won’t resolve the issue.
Plan for Litigation if Needed
If a lawsuit is the only path forward, your legal team will prepare the necessary filings and handle court proceedings. Meanwhile, you’ll need to keep your jobs moving. Litigation can stretch for months. With a capable legal team, you can protect your ongoing work without unnecessary disruption.
After everything is resolved, take time to review your contracts. Were expectations clearly outlined? Did you include meaningful penalties? Strengthening your agreements now helps prevent future stress. A skilled construction lawyer ensures you’re better protected the next time around