Philadelphia Metropolitan Area Real Estate Law Blog

From the planning phase to contract disputes to employment issues, costly obstacles can arise at any point in the construction process. No matter what your role is in the project, it is crucial that you have sound legal counsel to help keep costs down, protect against liability and resolve disputes.

On one level, the beautiful thing about construction is the heavy lifting — the re-shaping and placement of materials and the careful planning of a new or refurbished structure. Another beautiful aspect of the business is the potential for profit. Making money is exciting, and a successful construction project can be extremely fulfilling. On yet another level — the not-so-positive level — there are the risks, the potential liabilities at every turn. So who protects you, as a businessperson in construction, from liabilities?

Construction contracts, as our readers know, can sometimes involve disputed questions. When parties to a contract cannot agree on what was actually agreed to, it may become necessary to litigate the matter.

According to the Philadelphia Business Journal, construction activity in the Philadelphia region increased in March, with nonresidential construction increasing by 96 percent from last March. In terms of dollars, $197.7 million in contracts were reported last year, compared to $387.1 this year. Residential building reportedly increased by 57 percent to $281.2 million, compared to last March’s $179 million. Substantial increases were seen in construction projects involving commercial, manufacturing, educational and religious properties, going from $163.9 million to $323.1 million.

OnWednesday, Bucks County commissioners voted to postpone action on a contract dispute with Philadelphia-based construction management firm Ernest Bock & Sons Inc. stemming from a project to construct a new courthouse in Doylestown.