One of the biggest issues that general contractors and construction companies face is that clients change their minds. For instance, maybe you run a business building new homes. A client may originally agree on the plans but constantly come back with different changes to the design of the home or...

As a contractor, you typically consider the cost of materials when charging a client to make a profit from a project. However, the price of the materials you need can increase before the project ends, which can lead to disputes between you and the project owner. So, how can you avoid such dispute...

Addressing the risk of delays into a construction contract is a strategic approach to mitigate potential issues and better ensure project success. Delays in construction can arise from various factors such as adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages or unexpected site...

When it comes to overall project management – such as when a general contractor manages various subcontractors to build a new home – one issue to watch out for is known as scope creep. This is essentially when the overall scope of the project tends to change over time, and it becomes bigger and d...

Cost overruns in construction projects are a common concern for contractors. They occur when the actual expenses of a construction project exceed an initially estimated budget. Budget overruns can be detrimental, causing delays, strained client relationships and financial losses for contractors. ...

New York's construction industry has long had robust union representation – but there's been a notable decline in membership over recent years. Unions have clearly lost a lot of their luster over the years. While construction unions still have a strong presence and are very vocal when it comes to...

Hiring employees can be expensive, and hiring independent contractors on a per-project basis can be a viable alternative. Independent contractors are an excellent way for construction companies to connect with skilled talent without drastically expanding their employee rosters. In recent years, a...

Poor communication can lead to the loss of thousands or millions of dollars in the construction industry. If you fail to communicate effectively with your client, you may deal with rework, safety hazards and so on. Thus, it's crucial to prioritize communication. Here are three tips to help you im...

When people hear the phrase “regulatory compliance,” they often assume it refers to safety and getting the appropriate permissions and licenses. While it certainly does, it does not end there. Regulatory compliance covers several other areas, one of the most important being employees. Here are so...

For contractors, understanding the intricacies of construction contracts is crucial, particularly when it comes to the possibility of breaking such agreements. While every effort should be made to fulfill contractual obligations, circumstances can arise where breaking a contract becomes a concern...

In recent years, supply chain issues have become a particularly pressing concern for the construction industry. Problems obtaining structural steel and lumber have caused countless conflicts and impacted thousands of projects around New York and elsewhere in the United States. Some companies even...

In the construction industry, managing cash flow effectively is undeniably important, as margins are often thin when a project is underway. Ensuring timely payment for work completed is a crucial part of this process.  Unfortunately, delayed payments are a common challenge faced by contractors. N...

Construction disputes can arise between businesses and subcontractors or clients and construction firms. These disputes can delay the completion of a project or impact the profit margins for the company involved. Taking a construction dispute all the way to trial could mean waiting months to reso...

Some construction defects are very clearly mistakes that were made by the construction crew or the result of deficiencies in the quality of the workmanship. For instance, a homeowner may claim that electrical systems were installed improperly so that they don't work, that plumbing systems are lea...

Construction firms often do not have enough in-house employees to manage every aspect of each new project. They may hire subcontractors on a project-by-project basis to meet their needs. Those contractors may help to hang drywall, install tile or re-roof an older house. Working with subcontractor...

When a construction company is sued for an alleged defect, one of the first steps is determining what type of defect it actually is. There are many different examples, and it's important for all parties to know exactly what is being alleged while considering potential liability. Construction defe...

As New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is expected to sign the LLC Transparency Act into law, some construction LLC owners may wonder what this means for the future of their businesses. While the Act is sweeping and potentially affects many industries, it was brought, in part, to address wage thefts in th...

A construction project is one of the most complex endeavors you can undertake. Sometimes, unexpected obstacles and circumstances can have a significant impact on the project's overall financial plan.  While some construction cost overruns are unavoidable, it helps to note that some contributing f...

Owning a construction firm can prove very profitable, but it also leaves you at a near-permanent threat of legal action. There is so much that can go wrong in construction, much of it outside your control. What's more, some people are very bad at communicating their wishes clearly so you can do e...

The construction industry can be fruitful, with new developments and renovations happening all the time. That being said, running a construction firm is by no means easy. You have to speculate to accumulate and your business relies on being paid on time for the tasks you complete. Unfortunately, ...

Numerous factors influence which construction professionals property owners hire for specific projects. For some parties, budget is everything. The lowest bidder will often receive more thorough consideration than professionals and businesses that quote higher prices. However, recommendations fro...

In the dynamic construction world, conflicts and disputes can arise unexpectedly, potentially causing delays, cost overruns and strained relationships. While there are various ways to address these disputes, mediation has emerged as an effective alternative to traditional litigation. Mediation is...

Scope creep refers to the uncontrolled expansion or deviation of a construction project's scope beyond the originally agreed-upon boundaries and deliverables. It occurs when changes, additions or modifications to the project scope are introduced without proper evaluation, documentation or approva...

As a contractor, you understand the importance of doing things according to an agreement. It is part and parcel of providing your clients with quality services. Further,  sticking to what is agreed upon eliminates the chances of disputes. However, a client might ask you to perform a task that was...

As a contractor, always protecting yourself and your business is necessary. Unfortunately, working in this industry means you face unique challenges, including legal issues related to your projects. The best way to avoid legal issues is by avoiding the mistakes that cause them. Here, you can lear...