Contractor disputes are the most common problems many contractors encounter. Whether it is misunderstandings, problems with the contract, or legal noncompliance, these disputes often lead to litigation that takes more time away from the construction projects and agreements. But, there is always a way to resolve these disputes without further complications, and it is with the help of lawyers who specialize in handling them.
At David R. Mullany, Esq., you can get lawyers who specialize in handling contractor disputes regardless of their complexity and the involved parties. Our experience and local knowledge of the city and state’s construction law allow us to help businesses navigate and resolve these contractor disputes efficiently.
Call David R. Mullany, Esq. at (978) 549-8900 today for your Free Consultation with a Boston Contractor Disputes attorney!
Common Types of Contractor Disputes
Contractor disputes come in different forms, and these are the most common ones that occur:
Breach of Contract
The most common reason for contractor disputes is a breach of contract. Other causes include project delays, poorly made or defective construction, and non-payment or late payments for the services rendered.
Scope of Work Disputes
The scope of work for projects can create disputes between contractors and their clientele in many ways. Examples of scope of work disputes include the lack of clarity regarding the work to be delivered and any unapproved amendments to the project.
Payment Issues
Payment disputes can occur for various reasons, from clients withholding their payments due to alleged delays or defects in the work to contractors giving a wrong invoice that is not agreed upon in their contract. Disagreements over additional requests can also cause disputes between contractors and property owners.
Delays and Time Overruns
Aside from breach of contract, delays and overruns are also considered common cause of contractor disputes. There are many reasons why this can happen, from contractors failing to meet the deadline without a valid explanation to natural disasters to disagreement as to who should take responsibility for the delay.
Defective Work and Warranty Claims
If there are areas of the property where the quality of the work is subpar or if certain areas need to be replaced or repaired after the construction, the contractor can be held liable for this subpar work. Unapproved warranty claims can also spark disputes between the contractor and the property owner.
Health and Safety Violations
Allegations of health and safety violations can also trigger contractor disputes, especially if they cause injuries or cause extensive property damage. Failure to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations can also be grounds for contractor disputes.
Termination of Contract
If one party decides to end the contract without justification or before the intended completion date, it is a cause for disputes. Contract termination can only be done if the contract has termination clauses that indicate acceptable grounds for termination. The contract must also outline how disputes can be resolved when the contract is terminated early.
If you are not sure if the claims to call for contractor disputes are legitimate, our lawyers on Boston contractor disputes can review them and see what can be done to counter them. We can also explain to you how these causes can be avoided.
Legal Options for Resolving Contractor Disputes
No matter what caused the dispute between you and your clients, you have various options for resolving it.
- Mutual Negotiation is the simplest way to resolve any dispute, but it requires both parties to agree to talk and resolve the problem.
- Mediation: A third party or a mediator will guide both parties to peacefully resolve their dispute. However, the result is not legally binding unless both parties agree to it.
- Third-Party Arbitration: Like mediation, a third party will review the case to determine which party is correct. The arbitrator is chosen by the parties, and their decision is legally binding.
- Third-Party Expert Determination: An expert will be considered a third party who can guide the discussions. However, their decision will not be legally binding.
- Court adjudication: In court adjudication, the court decides who should be held responsible for the dispute. The court's decision is legally binding, but both parties must agree to use adjudication to resolve their dispute.
- Small claims court: This option is highly recommended for contested contract amounts. The court's decision will be legally binding in these cases.
- Lawsuits: If both parties want a legally binding decision regarding their dispute, they can file a lawsuit against each other. The court will hear both sides of the case before deciding which party is to be held responsible for the dispute.
- Liens: Liens are attached to a property, preventing property owners from selling the property unless they pay off the unpaid invoices they owe to the contractor or any other party.
If you want to learn more about these options and advice regarding the best option to resolve your Boston contractor disputes, David R. Mullany, Esq. has got you covered. They will study your situation and provide you with a detailed explanation regarding the best legal options you can choose to resolve your disputes.
Why Choose David R. Mullany, Esq.?
Each contractor dispute is different, which is why it is important to get a legal team to handle them and assist you in finding the right outcomes. With our Boston contractor disputes lawyers on the case, we provide businesses with legal experience and knowledge they can rely on to resolve these disputes.
Here’s how we can assist you with your contractor disputes and other legal troubles:
- Comprehensive and Personalized Legal Support: When you contact us, our legal team will adjust its legal services and advice to match your situation. This will also allow us to identify other legal support we can provide as we try to resolve your dispute.
- Strategic Contract Review and Dispute Resolution: Our legal support team will review every detail of your contractor dispute, from the contracts used in your agreements or projects, to determine the best litigation strategy to resolve your case.
- Local Litigation Advice: Thanks to our local knowledge, we can provide you with legal advice that will not disrupt your business.
- Preventive Strategy: You can also trust our team to advise you on practices you can apply to avoid similar problems in the future.
Our Boston, MA construction law firm can also assist you in dealing with other construction legal troubles you may face. With us as your legal team, you can focus on growing your business and meeting your deadlines.
Settle Your Boston Contractor Disputes Today
Any legal dispute, regardless of how simple or complex, should never be left unresolved due to its impact on the business. As a contractor or subcontractor, this problem can make it more difficult to complete projects or gain clients' trust.
If you experience any form of dispute during your current or previous projects, don’t hesitate to contact us at our hotline. Avail of our free consultation, and we will ensure you have the tools you need to handle these disputes fairly.
Call David R. Mullany, Esq. at (978) 549-8900 today for your Free Consultation with a Boston Contractor Disputes attorney!