Laws that pertain to the construction industry are complex, and if you are facing a construction contract dispute, you will need a reliable and experienced lawyer on your side. Contract disputes can result in delayed projects, litigation, and rising costs. A Minnesota construction contract dispute lawyer for homeowners can help mitigate project delays and costs.
Minnesota Construction Law Services keeps the simple simple
Hire a Contract Dispute Lawyer for Homeowners
If your contractor is failing to meet their responsibilities as stated in your contract, Minnesota Construction Law Services can help. Our team has been handling construction contract disputes since 2012. Our lawyers possess a thorough understanding of construction contract laws, which is essential for minimizing risk, protecting your interests, and resolving conflicts effectively.
When a dispute comes up, an experienced lawyer can carefully review your contract to understand the rights and responsibilities of both parties. It may be possible to avoid going to court if the dispute can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. These alternative dispute resolution techniques are typically less expensive than litigation, and your lawyer can still represent your interests to ensure the settlement terms are fair.
Sometimes litigation is the only realistic option to settle a dispute. In these cases, a contract dispute lawyer is essential to help navigate the process and explain the nuances of construction law. Your lawyer will be able to file the necessary documents and represent you in court.
What to Include in a Construction Contract
In 2024, there were 941,000 construction establishments in the US, including 18,400 in Minnesota. If you are among the Minnesotans undertaking a new residential construction project, there are some prudent steps you should consider when preparing to work with a contractor before work commences.
In the City of Ramsey, a building permit can be filed with the Building Division located at 7550 Sunwood Drive NW, Ramsey, MN 55303. This office can also assist with estimating the cost of required permits, scheduling inspections, and submitting plans for review.
Unfortunately, homeowners will sometimes sign the winning bid and assume it can serve as a contract. If a dispute arises, you may realize that the bid does not offer enough detail to provide you with adequate protection. Even if a contractor provides a boilerplate legal template, it also may not provide adequate detail.
A contract can be revised at any time before it is signed. If you and the contractor have discussed elements of the project verbally, they should be included in the contract.
The contract should be as detailed as possible and written in plain language to help avoid misunderstandings. If an item is not included in the contract, it can be considered an extra and add additional cost to the project.
Minnesota law requires that contracts and change orders be in writing to be enforceable and should cover the following:
- A clear and detailed description of all services that will be provided. The contract should also include the names and roles of any subcontractors.
- A clear and detailed description of all materials that will be used, such as specific model numbers, grades, colors, styles, and brand names, along with the material suppliers.
- A clear and detailed total price or a description of how the total will be calculated.
- Detail an anticipated start and completion date.
- Establish responsibility for securing required building permits and inspections.
- Defined a change order clause that states all changes to the contract must be agreed upon by both parties in writing.
- Establish a payment schedule for work completed.
- Define how the worksite will be cleaned up at project completion.
- Establish a holdback clause that requires all inspections to be passed and all work to be complete before the final payment is released.
The Minnesota Home Solicitation Sales Act allows a homeowner to reconsider their decision within three days of signing the contract. If you do not cancel the contract within the three days, you may be forced to uphold the contract.
FAQs
Various construction contract disputes can affect homeowners in Minnesota, ranging from poor workmanship, quality issues, scope of work disputes, completion delays, and billing overage issues, to unlicensed contractors and permitting issues. If a contractor does not deliver the services outlined in your contract in the specified timeframe or abandons the project, they may be in breach of the contract. Other possible construction dispute cases include negligence and misrepresentation.
Lawyers can play a fundamental role in helping to resolve disputes with contractors stemming from issues such as delays, defects, and cost overruns. An experienced construction dispute attorney will have a deep knowledge of construction contract dispute laws in Minnesota.
A lawyer can help navigate the complexities of construction contract dispute laws, such as providing guidance on contractual rights, potential liabilities, and obligations. Another service a lawyer can offer is risk mitigation strategies, so future disputes can be avoided.
State construction and contract laws outline certain rights for Minnesota homeowners, including warranties against defects for home improvements and new-home construction. The statutory warranty states that the home should be free of defects resulting from defective materials and faulty workmanship that do not comply with building standards for one year.
The home is protected against non-compliance in faulty electrical, heating, cooling, and plumbing systems for two years and against major defects resulting from non-compliance for 10 years.
A homeowner in Minnesota should contact a construction contract dispute lawyer if their contractor is not fulfilling the obligations as outlined in the contract. Common contractor responsibilities include delivering workmanship that is of the quality expected, supervising subcontractors, paying invoices related to materials and subcontractor costs, ensuring appropriate permits are in place before work commences, and cleaning the project site.
If the contractor fails to meet their responsibilities, a homeowner may need legal assistance to reach a remedy.
Minnesota Construction Contract Dispute Lawyer for Homeowners
Construction disputes are not uncommon in Minnesota. Working with an experienced attorney early in the process can help protect your interests, mitigate risk, and resolve issues swiftly and fairly. Minnesota Construction Law Services can provide personalized legal guidance. Contact the office to schedule a consultation to discuss your construction contract dispute. Let our team’s knowledge and experience put your mind at ease.
