LEGAL OPTIONS WHEN DEALING WITH CONTRACTOR DISPUTES

It is during a dispute with the contractor that the owner will seek the best possible legal options available to end the conflict fast. Ensuring that the project completes is of great importance to the owner, and resolving the dispute will at least provide a remedy or an end to the argument.

This kind of conflict could lead to either litigation, mediation, arbitration, or a settlement. These legal options generally depend on the attitudes and conflict between the owner and general contractor. If the matter is clear or could be resolved without any legal action, the two parties may ensure the project completes. However, other options become available when there is no peaceful way to settle the issue. If both are amenable to conclude the matter, mediation is possible. If one party wants to finish without a lawsuit, a settlement is the better option.

The Scope Of Work

There are legal complications that do arise when the involved parties cannot complete the construction. The scope of work involved in the process may even be one of the primary reasons for the conflict in the first place. When the dispute continues due to the additions or changes in the scope of work, it is clear that resolving the matter is legally is the only possible option. In this case, it is important to hire a lawyer to review the matter. The legal representative may then inform the owner of the available options and how to use each depending on the relationship with the other party.

Completion Timeline

There are several stipulations in the agreement that could provide a legal option to either push through the project to a legal remedy or resolve the dispute. Many of these consist of the specifics of the project. The completion timeline for the job is important. Depending on how structured the project timeline is within the contract, the owner may have options for how to proceed and solutions that may end the conflict. If the job has a goal marker, the owners and contractors can utilize the time to assess and review the matter together.

Out Of Court Settlement

Everybody wants to avoid litigation. It is a process that will take a significant amount of time and resources. It is possible to settle the matter out of court but between legal representations. However, the owner may need to contact a lawyer to pose a possible settlement or a remedy through the project that may either conclude the job or ensure that the disputes end without any complication. The lawyer may need to communicate with the contractor involved to ensure the matter remains peaceful.

Mediation And Arbitration

These options can be used if the conflict is amenable. There are non-binding compromises through mediation and arbitration that the owner may take part in. But the binding arbitration is enough to end the conflict entirely by holding the parties to the judgment. If the parties can compromise on the outcome, mediation may ensure the fastest and easiest way to deal with the dispute. However, if neither of these is possible, the matter may proceed to litigation.

Litigation

If there is no foreseeable way to end the conflict peacefully, the matter may progress to a lawsuit. The contract between the two parties may explain what type of and how much in damages is necessary for delays or other disputes that arise. You need to get an attorney to either negotiate a settlement or proceed through the civil suit process. The judgment sits with the court, and the decision can be legally enforced.

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