The construction industry has many moving parts and parties involved, who can each hold a substantial amount of liability. So, is it necessary to hire a construction lawyer?
Having an attorney by your side is beneficial for any party and stage of a construction project. A construction lawyer can assist in a variety of legal matters and will be your subject matter expert on the many laws and regulations that affect this multi-faceted industry.
Several industry professionals can benefit from representation, including:
- Owners
- Designers
- Architects
- Material suppliers
- Contractors
- Subcontractors
When Should You Hire a Florida Construction Lawyer?
If you work in construction, legal matters are bound to arise. When is the right time to hire a Florida construction attorney?
Whether it is proactively drafting contracts and proposals, or submitting a claim for compensation, seeking the advice of a construction lawyer when you are actively working in the industry can be beneficial.
Hiring a construction attorney early on can help you avoid or mitigate the risk for litigation, arbitration, and other potential legal conflicts that may occur down the road.
3 Services a Construction Lawyer Can Provide
While there are several services a construction lawyer can provide, the following are three of the more commonly sought-after services from construction attorneys.
#1 Contract Development
Verbiage is everything when it comes to drafting and negotiating contracts. A construction attorney in Florida can help you draft a legally sound contract detailing expectations, pricing and payment, conditions, notice requirements, contract revisions, and more.
#2 Payment Protection
There are an array of costs a contractor has to cover, including labor, equipment, and materials, so ensuring payments are paid in full and on time is essential. A construction attorney can help make sure that all costs incurred are covered in your contracts and paid out, which may potentially mean taking civil action in some cases.
#3 Enforcement of Liens
Whether you are a contractor seeking to get paid, or an owner whose contractor has put a lien on your property, there are certain specific steps that need to be followed to make sure that your rights are protected. A Florida construction lawyer can help you navigate the process to protect your interests – whether it means getting paid or protecting your own property.
Do You Need a Construction Attorney?
Whether you are fully immersed in or sometimes dabble in the construction industry, knowing which attorney you can depend on to help you with potential legal matters is important.
Though each situation may vary, a construction lawyer can provide you with the most appropriate legal advice and next steps. Contact Apfelbaum Law today to consult with one of our Florida construction lawyers and learn how we can help you with an array of legal matters.
