Construction projects can entail dozens of legalities of which project leaders must remain mindful. The best way to understand and apply them involves hiring an experienced construction attorney for projects. These eight reasons highlight why legal oversight plays a crucial role during construction.
1. Applying the Law to Eligible Parties
A construction attorney will know to whom the laws apply during construction projects. Construction law applies to individuals like:
- Property owners
- General contractors
- Vendors and suppliers
- Subcontractors
- Construction managers
It also applies to designers and architects working on the project.
2. Contract Negotiation
Your construction lawyer will also negotiate contracts for you and your company. Contraction negotiation includes defining terms like the length of the contract, to whom it applies and applicable exit clauses.
It also includes outlining the costs for the project, how the client will remit payment and what contract parties can expect and assume liability for if the project becomes delayed.
3. Liability Protection
As a construction company owner, you undertake a variety of liabilities for each project. Your legal team can represent you during liabilities, such as worker injuries, on-the-job accidents or malicious actions from vendors or suppliers. Your attorney can also ensure you buy insurance to cover liabilities for disasters like fires, floods or storms that damage the project or result in the loss of materials and equipment.
4. Compensation for Defects
Legal oversight is crucial in determining who receives compensation for defective work or equipment during the project. An attorney who specializes in construction law can help negotiate payments for construction defects and sue applicable parties, such as subcontractors, who failed to provide quality work.
5. Environmental Compliance
Government agencies like the EPA and OSHA may closely monitor the work carried out on your project. You must comply with environmental standards to avoid expensive fines. Your legal team can identify what those standards are and advise you on how to carry out your work without risking a fine or having the project shut down.
6. Code Compliance
You must also ensure your project complies with code laws. These codes come from the city, county and state in which you work. You must abide by them and ensure the finished results comply with them to avoid fines.
Your legal oversight attorney can research what those codes are and advise you accordingly. You avoid putting work into something that will not pass an inspection.
7. Workplace Safety
Legal oversight also ensures everyone working on the project remains safe. You can provide your crew with the necessary safety gear, apparel and equipment. You mitigate the risk of your crew cutting corners because they do not have what they need to finish their work.
8. Labor Relations
Your legal team can also protect the relationships you have with the people working or subcontracting for you. You can pay them fair wages, provide them with reasonable time off and ensure they receive sufficient benefits in exchange for their efforts.
Legal oversight plays a key role in construction projects. An attorney who specializes in construction law can provide you with this service.
