Today’s guest post is by Chris Meyers and Cheri Gatlin, two of my fellow partners at Burr & Forman, LLP. Chris is a partner and Cheri Gatlin is Chair of the firm’s Construction and Project Development Practice Group. The Group counsels clients throughout the U.S. on safety policies, OSHA and regulatory compliance, contracts, disputes
Project Management
How Important Is That Little Green Card? Pretty Darn Important Says One Court.
We live in a world of e-mails, IMs, texts, Snapchats, Instagrams and the occasional fax. Although information is transmitted instantaneously in today’s environment, proof of receipt of that information (often called “Notice”) remains subject to some very strict rules imposed by contract, case law or statute.
Notice of Claims. In a recent transportation case involving…
“Paid in Full” Wives’ Tale True? When Endorsing A Check, Yes Ma’am!
Long before I was an attorney, I heard this tale that if you endorsed a check that had the words “PAID IN FULL” written on the check, then you were accepting the check as full payment of what was owed. But I had never really thought about that legal principle because, “People don’t really do…
How To Track Increased Construction Costs For Proving Claims
I previously blogged about the importance of using daily reports to prove construction claims.
In addition to daily reports, the following records should be prepared and maintained in the normal course of business to help prove claims and effectively manage the project:
- Correspondence file containing all correspondence relating to a specific claim, including letters
…
Top 14 Most Common Scheduling Mistakes by Contractors
Many delay, disruption, and loss of productivity claims are lost or substantially reduced in value because mistakes, errors and carelessness are reflected in the original schedule and plan of operations. The original schedule is often the first piece of documentation that the owner receives demonstrating the contractor’s professionalism in planning and management.
Contractors should pay…
Eeeek! What To Do When You Find Bones or Human Remains On the Construction Site?
Last month, authorities in Suffolk, Virginia were investigating a construction site where human bones were found. Forensic experts were called in to excavate the site and determine whether they were recent or from an old burial ground. Has this ever happened at one of your sites?
If you find bones or other archaeological artifacts…
LOL! OMG. HUH? Court Finds That Text Message Can Form Binding Contract
In the world of Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, it is no secret that individuals are communicating regularly on their smartphones about their business affairs. Recently, a court addressed the question about whether a text message can constitute a writing sufficient under the Statute of Frauds to create an enforceable contract.
Subcontractor’s Failure to Strictly Comply With Notice Provision Costs $200,000
Whether you are an owner, contractor, subcontractor or supplier, you will want to read the rest of this post since it illustrates precisely what all those attorneys have been telling you for years: “Please, please, please read your contract.” In this instance, one party’s failure to strictly follow the contractual notice provision was a $209,235.36…
Top 7 Factors Affecting Labor Productivity Losses On A Construction Project
Construction labor is always in the news. Last month, I wrote an article for the Nashville Business Journal challenging industry leaders on how to respond to the shortage of skilled labor in the area. Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor issued new overtime regulations, which no doubt will affect your workforce. When you deal…
One Awesome Case Discussing The Difference Between Delay and Disruption Damages!
Rarely do you find a case that succinctly addresses a construction law issue. Today, one of my legal alerts pointed me to one such case dealing with delay damages and disruption damages. This is a must read!
In County of Galveston v. Triple B Services, LLP, decided on May 26, 2016, the Court of…