Why You Need a Construction Lawyer To Spot Risks in Your Construction Contract Before You Sign
When entering into a construction contract as a builder hiring a contractor or tradesperson, it is essential to take a careful look at the terms before signing. This agreement outlines who is responsible for what, how much the work will cost, and what happens if things do not go as planned. But without knowing what to look for, it is easy to overlook potential risks that could lead to delays, unexpected expenses, disputes, or even legal action down the road. That is where working with a construction lawyer proves to be a huge asset to your business.
How a Construction Lawyer Helps You Identify Risks In a Construction Contract
A good construction lawyer can help you spot hidden risks that could cause major headaches. For example, they will make sure the scope of work — what is actually being built — is clearly defined. If the scope is not crystal clear, you could face expensive changes, delays, and confusion during the project.
Delays themselves are a major risk in construction. Weather issues, labour shortages, or supply chain problems can throw a wrench into even the best-planned timelines. Your lawyer can help you understand how the contract outlines the specifics around delays and what protections are (or should be) in place if they happen.
Keeping Costs Under Control
Cost overruns are another big concern that can lead to legal disputes. Construction costs can spike for all sorts of reasons, from rising material prices to unexpected changes in the project. A construction lawyer can help you negotiate terms that limit your exposure to surprise expenses, while making sure there is a process for approving additional costs clearly spelled out for everyone involved.
Managing Safety Risks
Construction sites are naturally hazardous, and accidents can lead to serious injuries and big legal liabilities if proper safety measures are not in place. A construction lawyer will make sure your contract addresses safety obligations properly, helping to reduce your legal risk if something goes wrong.
Preventing and Handling Disputes
Disputes are also common in construction projects — whether they are over the quality of work, payment terms, delays, or changes to the job. A lawyer will help set up the contract so that there is a clear process for handling disagreements before they turn into expensive lawsuits.
Other Risks Your Construction Lawyer Will Watch For
From supply chain issues and subcontractor defaults to legal compliance problems construction disputes occur. If they are not properly accounted for in the contract that’s where small problems grow into large ones. A good construction lawyer knows what to look for — whether it is making sure the right insurance policies and bonds are in place or ensuring that all building codes and regulations are followed to the letter.
Construction Lawyers Spot Problems in a Construction Contract Early and Help Build a Strong Risk Management Plan
Risk identification is not just about reading the fine print. Lawyers use a mix of techniques to uncover hidden problems, like going through checklists tailored to construction projects, pulling insights from historical project data, and consulting with other professionals like project managers and engineers.
Once potential risks are identified, your lawyer can work with you to build strategies to minimize them. This might involve tightening up contract language to prevent misunderstandings, setting up a clear process for managing changes, making sure there is a strong communication plan in place, or confirming that there is proper insurance coverage.
Protect Your Construction Project Before It Begins, Work With The Experienced Construction Lawyers At Gionet Fairley Wood LLP.
At the end of the day, construction is complicated, and every project comes with a certain level of risk but with an experienced construction lawyer reviewing your contracts and guiding you through the process, you can move forward with confidence, knowing that you are protected if the unexpected happens.
If you are about to enter into a construction agreement, do not leave anything to chance, talk to the construction lawyers at Gionet Fairley Wood LLP. We have over 20 years of experience handling construction law, from contract negotiations to litigation, in Barrie, Muskoka, Simcoe and Grey Counties. Visit our website to schedule a consultation or call our legal team directly at (705) 468 1088. Get the legal guidance you need. It could save you time, money, and a lot of stress down the road making your investment now worth every penny.
***The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have legal questions, we strongly advise you to contact us.