Development agreements
Align project scope, milestones, responsibilities and conditions before construction begins.
Construction contractsAW Construction Law / Who We Help
Construction law guidance for property developers.
Development projects depend on clear agreements, coordinated teams and well-documented decisions. From early contracting to disputed completion, legal questions can affect costs, schedules and delivery.
Contracts, project delivery and construction dispute guidance.
Development Perspective
Different parties. Shared milestones. Complex obligations.
Property development often connects owners, general contractors, trade contractors, design professionals and other stakeholders through multiple agreements. Each relationship can affect payment, scheduling, risk allocation and responsibility for completed work.
Whether a development is residential, commercial or mixed-use, disputes can involve construction contract terms, delay claims, change orders or quality concerns. Contractual rights and legal remedies depend on the facts and applicable law.
Common Development Concerns
Issues that can change the direction of a project.
Developer-side decisions often involve several parties and overlapping legal responsibilities. These topics can help identify where a closer review may be useful.
Contractor performance
Review delayed or disputed work, default notices and responsibility between project participants.
Contractor disputesChange-driven cost growth
Address evolving plans, unforeseen conditions, pricing and approvals for additional work.
Change order disputesSchedule exposure
Evaluate extension requests, disruptions, coordination delays and associated cost claims.
Delay claimsQuality and defect concerns
Review design obligations, construction quality, inspections and claimed repair costs.
Construction defectsProject claims and resolution
Compare negotiated outcomes with arbitration, mediation and litigation procedures.
Resolution options
Keep the Project Record
Project decisions are easier to evaluate when the record is complete.
Written project records can provide context for contractor claims, schedule changes, disputed costs and completion questions.
- Signed agreements, design documents and scope exhibits
- Baseline schedules, revisions and milestone correspondence
- Change requests, pricing records and approvals
- Progress reports, inspections, notices and meeting minutes
- Payment applications, lien notices and closeout documentation
Multiple Project Participants
Responsibilities depend on each party's role.
A developer may need to coordinate issues involving the owner, contractor and subcontractors. Evaluating the correct contractual relationship helps clarify who must provide notices, approve changes, maintain records or respond to a claim.
Construction Law Insights
Practical reading for project decision-makers.
Explore legal guides about project schedules, scope, contracts and the available paths when construction problems escalate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Construction-law questions from developers.
What legal issues do property developers commonly face?
Developers may encounter contract negotiation, change orders, payment conflicts, delays, design and construction defects, defaults and disputes among multiple project parties.
How can construction contracts help manage development risk?
Contracts can establish the scope, payment conditions, scheduling duties, change procedures, insurance and indemnity requirements, notices and methods for resolving disputes. Their effect depends on the actual terms and governing law.
What should a developer keep when a project falls behind schedule?
Preserve baseline and updated schedules, meeting minutes, notices, RFIs, change records, correspondence, daily reports and cost documentation. Records may help determine the causes and consequences of delay.
Can a developer face a mechanic’s lien claim?
Depending on the property, jurisdiction and contractual relationships, unpaid participants may assert lien rights. Notices, eligibility, deadlines and enforcement rules vary, so prompt project-specific review matters.
Are arbitration and mediation always required in construction disputes?
No. Whether mediation or arbitration applies depends on the dispute-resolution clause, applicable law and any later agreement by the parties. Other routes may include negotiation or litigation.
Need guidance on a development project dispute?
Discuss project contracts, payment concerns, change orders, delay impacts or disputed construction performance with the office.