COWIE LAW GROUP, P.C. - CONTRACTOR PAYMENT DISPUTES WASHINGTON DC

Contractor Payment Disputes

Washington DC

The construction law attorneys at Cowie Law Group, P.C. handle contractor payment disputes in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. Building contractors and material suppliers who find themselves in a dispute over payment for work performed or materials supplied to a construction project should immediately consult with an attorney to ensure that they take the necessary actions to preserve all of their statutory and contractual rights. Early consultation with a construction attorney can often result in a quick resolution of contractor payment disputes under the laws of Washington ,D.C. and Maryland.

Payment for construction work flows down the chain of command from project owners to general contractors to sub contractors and material suppliers, and in some cases sub-subcontractors and sub-material suppliers, etc. There are various reasons given for lack of payment and they include lack of payment from owner. defective construction, untimely work, unauthorised work, failure to provide proper change orders and simple lack of funds. Sorting out contractor payment disputes in Washington, D.C. and Maryland can be complex and detail orientated, involving delay claims, back charges, change orders and a multitudes of accounting and financial and billing records.. The construction law attorneys at Cowie Law Group have the experience and know how to handle all levels of complexity in a precise and efficient manner when it comes to contractor payment disputes in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.

Resolving Contractor Payment Disputes

Contractor payment disputes can vary depending on whether a contractor is in the chain of command and whether a project is a private contract or public works projects on behalf of a federal, state, county or city government or agency. A substantial portion of the construction work in Washington DC and Maryland is undertaken by the federal, state and local Governments. Contractor payment disputes involving public sector construction projects are governed by laws that are often similar but differ from private sector construction projects and involve government contract law.

In both private and public sector construction projects, there are a variety statutes and insurance surety contracts that may provide a legal mechanism for obtaining payment and resolving contractor payment disputes provided timely action is taken regarding payment. These include:

Washington DC Mechanic’s Lien Statute
Private Payment Bonds (surety bond that guarantees all subcontractors and material suppliers on a construction project will be paid)
Private Performance Bonds (surety bond that guarantees the general contractor’s performance of it contractual obligation with the owner)
Bond Claims under the Washington DC Little Miller Act
Bond Claims under the Federal Miller Act

Additionally, there are contractual right that arise out of construction contracts, subcontracts and material suppliers contracts and other non-statutory contractual rights. When payment, delay and performance issues effect a construction project, timely action is essential to the successful enforcement of the statutory, contractual and other legal rights of owners, construction managers, contractors, subcontractors, construction consultants, architects, engineers, design professionals and material suppliers. When payment is not timely made or other disputes arise, early consultation with a construction lawyer can mean the difference between quick resolution and long drawn out litigation as well as the loss of important legal remedies under the laws of Washington DC (District of Columbia) construction law. Time is of the essence when building contractors and material suppliers find themselves in a contractor payment dispute over payment for work performed or materials supplied to a construction project. Early consultation with a construction attorney is essential to protect you rights

Contact the construction law firm of Cowie Law Group, P.C. to speak with a Washington DC construction lawyer about construction contractor payment disputes in Maryland and the District of Columbia.