Construction crews work on all different types of projects. They might be involved in city planning of infrastructures. They might also be involved in the improvement of city roads and bridges. However, even more common are the use of construction workers in the real estate and building industry. Construction workers might be involved in the new build of real estate properties or they might be working directly with a homeowner on improving and expanding a residential property. Either way, it is important to be protected with sufficient insurance coverage and attorneys dedicated to construction law.
Insurance of workers
Many construction tasks require a lot of risks. Workers are constantly scaling large buildings, using heavy power tools, and using harsh chemical products. It is important to evaluate your current insurance carrier and exactly what is provided. Even a building designer or residential homeowner that chooses a construction company should evaluate the amount of insurance coverage. Anything that is not covered will pass onto the homeowner or the project designer. Working with attorneys can help you evaluate your current insurance plan and see if additional coverage is needed.
Coverage of building and supplies
A lot of money goes into the build. A new build requires labor hours, supplies, and tools. It is also a good idea to have these items covered under an insurance plan. If something happens to them or if the customer decides not to pay, this could result in a large financial hit to the construction business. In fact, it could even bankrupt a smaller construction business. Hiring attorneys after the fact for commercial litigation can also get very expensive. It is best to always be proactive and to have attorneys on retainer.
Evaluate the details of the contract
Many construction workers are surprised to learn that they can be liable if a problem with the property occurs, even well after they have completed the job. For this reason, it is important to have attorneys evaluate the litigation contract. There should be a statute of limitations and an even shorter liability term should be decided. Most states do have a standard statute of limitations for filing a claim, but this is often a few years, which is plenty of time to file a building complaint. For example per Texas law, a breach of contract claim must be filed within four years, unless the contract specifies two years.
To navigate the future of construction work
Construction practices are constantly changing. As technology becomes more present in the world, it is being applied to new purposes, including construction work. According to Colin Guinn of 3D Robotics, drones will help engineers and architects tackle various construction tasks more accurately. It is important to remember, however, that as new practices are introduced, new concerns are brought up. When it comes to technology, a few of the most common concerns include confidentiality, reliability, and cost. If technology is a part of your construction work planning, it is important to have attorneys familiar with these areas.
Additional legal construction concerns
Additionally, it is also a good idea to have attorneys familiar with employment law and nonconventional construction laws. Hiring a lawyer that is familiar with the construction industry is a great first step. They will navigate each of the construction concerns as they arise and then handle the appeals process, if necessary. There are many legal concerns that can arise during a standard construction transaction in the real estate industry.
According to the American Arbitration Association, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the preferred conflict management process in the construction industry. The median time frame from filing to award for 2015 construction arbitration cases was just 232 days or less than eight months. Legal representation in the real estate and construction industries is very necessary to avoid expensive litigation and charges.
