Germantown Construction Disputes Attorneys

Lawyers for Construction Project Delays, Disputes About Work, and Other Issues in Germantown, Maryland

While construction projects can make substantial improvements to real estate property, they require cooperation among property owners, contractors, subcontractors, and other parties. When disagreements arise during projects, they could cause a project to come to a halt, or they could affect the payments that will be made or other financial issues. Taking the right steps to resolve disputes correctly can help prevent concerns that could affect an overall project or lead to problems for the parties involved.

At Fox & Moghul, our lawyers have extensive experience in real estate law, construction law, contracts, and litigation, and we can help our clients understand what steps they can take to resolve disputes effectively. Whether working to reach agreements that will allow a project to proceed or pursuing remedies that will address financial losses or other damages, we take steps to protect our clients' interests at all times.

Understanding how a specific dispute may affect the broader project rather than just the narrow issue in question can help our attorneys advise clients on the most effective ways to respond to issues that may arise. With our understanding of the laws that apply in these cases and our success representing clients in negotiations and litigation, we can make sure these issues will be resolved correctly. Our team has received awards that recognize our ability to meet our clients' needs effectively, and we also educate others in the legal field on the issues that may arise in these cases.

How Scope of Work and Change Request Disputes Can Affect Project Timelines

When a property owner and contractor disagree about whether particular work falls within the original scope of a project, the work being performed may stall while the parties attempt to reach an understanding. This can lead to significant delays during a project as well as disputes over how additional work will be authorized and the payments required for this work.

Change requests are meant to prevent a project from coming to a standstill by giving the parties a process for authorizing and pricing additional work. When disputes arise over whether a change was requested using the right procedures, whether additional work was approved, or how much this work should cost, the parties will often want to resolve these issues quickly.

To avoid extending the timeline of a project, our attorneys can help clients resolve disputes quickly. We can assist with direct negotiations while making sure the terms of a contract are followed. When necessary, we can address damages that our clients have suffered because the proper procedures were not followed, including work that was performed without authorization or payments that have not been made for work performed under change orders.

Substandard Work That May Need to Be Corrected Through Additional Repairs

When a property owner discovers that the work performed by a contractor did not meet the expected level of quality, they may need to take steps to address and correct the issue. Substandard work may be discovered when a building fails an inspection, or systems that had been installed may not function properly. An owner may see visible defects in the finished project, and they may be unable to use their property as they had originally planned until the problem can be corrected.

When a space cannot be leased to a commercial tenant because a mechanical system has not been properly installed, or when a residential property cannot pass a final inspection because of a code violation, a property owner may experience financial losses. Correcting these problems will require additional work, which will add additional time and costs to a project. Our lawyers can help owners document these issues and take action to pursue the appropriate remedies.

Other Reasons for Construction Delays

Construction projects can fall behind schedule for a number of other reasons, including severe weather, shortages of materials, delays in obtaining permits, financing issues, or late revisions to architectural or engineering plans. Determining who may be held responsible for a delay will often require a review of the provisions of a contract that address excusable delays. Our attorneys can help clients evaluate delays, determine what caused a project to fall behind, and pursue or defend against claims involving damages related to delays.

Remedies Available in Construction Disputes

Several options may be available for resolving the issues involved in a construction dispute. The appropriate remedy will often depend on the nature of the problem and what the affected party actually needs.

Requiring Completion of the Work

In some circumstances, a property owner may ask a court to order a contractor to complete the work as specified in the construction contract. This is known as specific performance. Our lawyers can evaluate whether specific performance may be a realistic option based on the circumstances of a particular project.

Compensation for Delays or Poor Workmanship

Monetary damages may apply in construction disputes. A property owner may recover compensation for the costs of completing or correcting work, the decrease in value of a property because of defects, or losses caused by delays. Our attorneys can help owners document their losses and obtain the compensation they deserve.

Contractor Remedies for Withheld Payment

Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who have not received payments as required under a contract may have remedies available, including pursuing a breach of contract claim against a property owner or other party who was required to pay them. In some cases, mechanic's liens may be used, which will attach claims against a property. Our lawyers can work with contractors or others who have not been paid correctly to obtain the amounts they are rightfully owed.

Contact Our Germantown, MD Construction Disputes Lawyers

Disputes over work performed during a construction project, payments, or other issues can affect a project's timeline and budget. Taking the right steps to resolve these disputes can help ensure that a person will be able to protect their interests and avoid problems in the future. At Fox & Moghul, we can provide the representation needed in these situations, and we will help our clients resolve disputes effectively. Contact our Germantown, Maryland construction project dispute attorneys at 301-409-5316 to schedule a consultation.