Construction Law
4 Benefits of Hiring a Construction Lawyer to Negotiate Your Contracts Part 1
Every construction project needs an ironclad contract to ensure that all parties are held accountable. As a contractor, you want to verify that you will be paid for your hard work and preserve the right to seek legal recourse against an owner who doesn’t intend to compensate you. On the other hand, owners want clear documentation of your intended provisions of labor and materials to ensure that they get everything they paid for when their project wraps up.
Clearly, both parties need a professionally drafted contract to reach their goals, but many projects never achieve a successful conclusion because the contract defining the scope of work is either unclear, poorly written, containing disadvantageous clauses, or otherwise fail to uphold the needs of both parties. Fortunately, a Tallahassee construction lawyer from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants can assist you with all contract-related matters including negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts to ensure that contractors can focus on the work to be done and not a potential dispute.
In this two-part series, our Tallahassee construction lawyers will discuss four benefits of hiring a lawyer to negotiate your contracts. Remember, once you sign on the dotted line, your options for dealing with an unfavorable contract are very limited.
1. Maximize Your Value
When you take on a new project, you want to make sure that you’re getting a fair deal for your efforts. As a contractor, you’ll have to make a considerable investment to ensure that the project not only meets the design specs but also wraps up according to the timeline proposed in the contract. Therefore, you can’t afford to let the owner sway your position during negotiations and diminish the value of your return.
If you need assistance negotiating lucrative contracts that help your business grow, consult a Tallahassee construction lawyer. When you have an experienced lawyer on your side to represent you during the negotiation process, you can rest assured that your best interests will be considered and you can assert yourself to build a contract on your own terms. A successful first round of negotiations can greatly increase the value of your contract and arriving with a lawyer in tow can help you demonstrate that you mean business and aren’t going to let yourself get pushed around. After all, your services have just as much value as the money in the owner’s bank account.
2. Clarify Your Needs
Any contract you sign should account for your needs and those of the owner, but verbalizing these details can be challenging. Contracts are legally binding, so you must be able to communicate your terms in a way that isn’t misleading or confusing. Our Tallahassee construction lawyers are familiar with the sensitive nature of contractual negotiations and can effectively communicate your preferences to the owner amicably. Plus, a lawyer can identify any potential pitfalls during every stage of negotiation.
To learn more about the benefits of hiring a construction lawyer to negotiate your contracts, read part two.
If you would like to speak with a Tallahassee construction lawyer, please contact us today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.