Construction Issues

Representing Contractors and Property Owners

George Murphy Legal Services represents property owners, as well as developers, general contractors, and sub-contractors with construction-related issues – residential and commercial.

The relationship between an individual and the contractor he or she hires is contractual in nature. Thus, at the outset it is important to make sure the contract adequately protects the individual or business and is designed to accomplish that party’s goals. There are many different ways this contract can be structured. It is advisable to ask an attorney to review the contract before signing anything.

If, during or after construction, a problem arises, we can help find a solution. That may involve simply advising the client what rights and options exist, to contacting and negotiating directly with the other party in an effort to solve a problem, to initiating legal action if all else fails.

Experienced in many aspects of construction law, including:

• Construction Claims
• Construction Related Disputes
• Contract Bidding and Negotiation
• Contract Preparation
• Payment Issues
• Quality of Workmanship, and Materials Issues
• Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution

While we are prepared to litigate construction disputes in both state and federal courts, we often seek to resolve disputes before litigation commences, or to use alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration during the course of litigation. Many construction contracts require mediation and/or arbitration of disputes. Our objective is to resolve construction disputes efficiently and cost effectively while endeavoring to preserve and maintain existing business relationships.

Experienced Insurance Law Attorneys

George Murphy has extensive insurance law expertise, which is of significant value to clients seeking coverage in the context of a construction-related lawsuit. The insurance issues are often complex in that setting and involve not only an examination of our client’s own policies, but a determination of whether our client qualifies as an “additional insured” under a policy obtained by someone else involved in the particular project.

We are experienced and skilled in the art of negotiations and often recommend participation in mediation. However, when that process does not succeed, we are fully prepared to aggressively litigate the case to conclusion.

Early evaluation provides our clients clear advice to chart the best course for to the particular situation. Our attorneys advise clients at the front-end concerning pre-construction issues such as contracts, insurance and associated real estate matters.