Construction Attorneys

What do construction attorneys do?

Construction attorneys represent persons who are involved in the construction of buildings and other improvements to real estate. The kinds of clients represented include:

  • property owners and lessors;
  • real estate developers;
  • general contractors;
  • subcontractors;
  • architects;
  • interior designers;
  • remodeling and other construction companies; and
  • persons who have suffered injury or property damage as a result of a construction project.

The range of matters that construction attorneys handle is broad and includes the following:

  • purchasing real estate;
  • financing construction projects;
  • selecting appropriate business structure for construction projects;
  • construction litigation;
  • representing clients in various types of construction, including:
  • erecting a new structure,
  • remodeling, altering, or adding to an existing structure,
  • moving an existing structure to a new location,
  • construction accidents;
  • representing clients before governmental bodies that regulate building permits and inspection, planning, zoning, and land use;
  • negotiating and drafting all contracts related to a construction project and its financing;
  • representing persons who have suffered injury or project damage as a result of a construction project; and
  • resolving claims arising from the construction process.

When would I need a construction attorney?

You need a construction attorney anytime you are involved in the construction or modification of any building or other improvement to land, including remodeling or altering an existing structure.

Why do I need a construction attorney?

Construction projects are frequently the subject of litigation because they involve a complex web of relationships among owners and lessors of property, developers, builders, other professionals, and the government. Those relationships are governed by many laws, regulations, permits, contracts, and restrictions on land use.

Additionally, special laws to protect consumers may give them additional rights in dealing with construction professionals. Construction attorneys add value to a construction project by applying their knowledge and experience to help the project go smoothly with minimal legal risks.

How do I select a construction attorney?

Because of the variety of clients construction attorneys serve and the wide range of matters they handle, we cannot list all the considerations related to selecting the right construction attorney. However, here are a few general guidelines and questions in four areas—knowledge, experience, availability, and your personal level of comfort with that lawyer—that you can use to decide whether to retain a particular attorney.

Knowledge

  • Is the attorney knowledgeable about all of the relevant laws, regulations, permits, contracts, restrictions on land use, and consumer protection laws that apply to your construction project or case?
  • Does your project or case involve any novel legal issues? If so, how will the attorney handle them?
  • How can you, as the client, help the attorney to represent you effectively?

Experience

  • Has the attorney worked on this type of construction project or case before?
  • Does the attorney have experience dealing with any of the other persons involved in the project, such as architects and general contracts, that may help the project go more smoothly?

Availability

  • Does the attorney have adequate time to spend on your project or case?
  • Does the attorney communicate with you regularly and return your phone calls and e-mail messages promptly?

Level of comfort in dealing with them

  • Do you feel comfortable and confident in dealing with the attorney?
  • Does the attorney answer your questions in a way that you can understand the answers?

Is the attorney willing to spend the necessary time with you to make sure you understand all of the following:

  • the legal issues involved in your construction project or case?
  • your legal rights, especially in the event something unexpected happens?
  • how to deal most effectively with any disputes that may arise? and
  • other points that you are concerned about?

How can I find a criminal defense attorney?

Attorneys Catalog provides a list of construction attorneys licensed to practice law in several states: