Construction Contracts in California

Trusted Construction Lawyer in Los Angeles

Drafting a construction contract can be complex and quite confusing, which is why it is recommended to have an attorney by your side to protect your rights. The Los Angeles construction attorneys at our firm have helped clients when it comes to drafting, reviewing and negotiating construction contracts. You can even come to our firm if you are in the middle of a contract dispute and need representation.

One of the main purposes of the contract is to avoid disputes and issues throughout the construction project. The types of projects that you may have to form a contract for include not only new work but additions to residences or buildings, alterations or even maintenance and repair. Contractors use construction contracts to make sure that they are protected but this often places the other parties in the contract at risk.

Key Elements of a Construction Contract

A contract can dictate many factors in the project, including:

• Time frames
• Payment schedules
• Materials used
• Participating parties

While some disputes are unavoidable, having an experienced lawyer assist in carefully drafting the contract can help protect your rights. If you experience a breach of contract, you may be able to sue the other party for damages. Contracts are enforceable under law in California, the contract is a promise to fulfill your obligations or a promise to pay an amount of money. It is encouraged to make all contracts in writing as a precaution if any issues arise. If you only make an oral contract, the obligations and terms can easily be misinterpreted.

Understanding Breach of Contract

A contract can be breached in any of the following ways:

• One party does not perform the tasks or duties promised, or they perform them but not in the way promised in the contract
• One party acts in a way that prohibits the other party from completing their obligations in the contract. An example of this would be one party does not complete the foundation so other parties involved are not able to fulfill their duties.
• One party refuses to complete their duties in the contract

If you have suffered from any type of breach of contract, contact a skilled construction law attorney from the Law Office of Steven R. Lovett for assistance. We may be able to help you recover damages in your case.

Calculating Compensation for Breach of Contract

The ways in which damages are computed include a cost- to- complete or a diminution- in- value. The court will make the decision of which method to pursue. The determination will depend on the case and the details involved:

• Cost-to-complete: The party who loses the case will have to pay damages in order to finish a project or replace a part of the project, depending on the contract. This method is generally chosen when one party performed with poor workmanship or did not finish a project.
• Diminution-of-value: The party who loses will have to pay the difference between the actual finished project and the project in the contract. This method is generally chosen when one party performed a significant amount of their duties in the contract, but it was not completed or as outlined in the contract.

Contact a Los Angeles Construction Lawyer for Assistance

If you have suffered from a breach of contract, construction defect or are facing any type of contract dispute, we may be able to help. To protect yourself from future disputes, team up with a Los Angeles construction lawyer to draft and review your contracts ahead of time.

Call the Law Office of Steven R. Lovett today for your free telephonic consultation and see how we may be able to assist you!