As the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread and the governmental and private sectors formulate their responses, it has become apparent that the associated economic impacts will be significant and affect all sectors of the economy, including construction. Robinson+Cole’s Construction Group has been monitoring these developments and is already seeing preliminary notices being sent out by … Continue Reading
As the Coronavirus spreads across the globe, its impact continues to disrupt many industries, including construction. Over the last twenty years, the construction industry in the United States has substantially increased its reliance on China as a supplier for all types of construction materials including electrical and lighting equipment, elevators and component parts, plumbing fittings … Continue Reading
For years, general contractors and trade contractors have faced very strict “no damages for delay” clauses on New York State construction projects. The tides are changing. If signed into law, S. R. 06686, Reg. Sess. 2017-2018 (NY 2017) will require public entities to allow contractors, subcontractors and suppliers to recover for costs associated with project … Continue Reading
Construction projects are no stranger to delays and the inevitable resulting disputes. To allocate such risks, parties frequently include no damage for delay causes in their contracts. These provisions commonly provide that in the event of a delay the contractor’s remedy is limited to an extension of time. Given that there are often multiple causes … Continue Reading
My last article examined strategies for construction managers facing an owner bankruptcy. Now, looking through the lens of the owner, let’s examine best practices when it is the contractor who has filed for bankruptcy. Throughout New England and the United States the construction industry continues to thrive with several new projects underway and on the … Continue Reading
I suppose that it is apropos that I have been delayed in writing this final piece in the four-part Limitations of Liability series, relating to subcontract pay if paid and flow through clauses. Being more than one step removed from a project’s funding source, subcontractors are used to being dealt with last, and only after … Continue Reading
As the recession recedes, courts are busy sifting through the remnants of construction projects that were impacted by the hard times we all faced. Shady deals and disreputable conduct often come to light in times like this, and can present opportunities for judges to hold bad actors personally accountable for unscrupulous behavior, under the right … Continue Reading
This is the third post in the four-part series “Limitations of Liability—The Elephant in the Room.” Owners often attempt to limit their liability to contractors through what is commonly known in the construction industry as a “no damages for delays” clause. Much like waivers of consequential damages, a “no damages for delays” clause, which limits … Continue Reading
In a recent decision, Elec. Contractors, Inc. v. Fid. & Deposit Co. of Maryland, No. 3:13-CV-00514 MPS, 2015 WL 1444481 (D. Conn. Mar. 30, 2015), the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut dismissed on summary judgment a subcontractor’s claims for delay damages against the general contractor on a construction project (“Project”) for … Continue Reading
On February 26, 2015, Roy Cooper of Arcadis and I reprised our popular Workshop for the University of Hartford’s Construction Institute, “Managing Legal Exposures.” One of the slides in our presentation quotes a wise jurist on the subject of construction project scheduling: Except in the middle of a battlefield, nowhere must men coordinate the movement … Continue Reading
This is article explores the complex nature of allocating the risks associated with project delays. It was originally published in Schimenti Construction Company’s newsletter and is reprinted with permission. Retail construction is no stranger to the inherent costs associated with project delays. Retailers, like all owners, rely upon construction professionals to estimate the duration of … Continue Reading
