Lawyer for Contract With Contractor?

Is it recommened?  Seems we will be comitting to spending what to me are big bucks, and we should take steps to protect ourselves, even if we trust the person. Better safe and all that.   Anyone recommend a specific attorney for  this?   Thank you in advance.

nona525

in Construction 12 years and 11 months ago

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Erstwhile | 12 years and 7 months ago

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If you are spending any kind of serious money, you would be foolish not to have your construction contract reviewed by competent counsel. With all due respect, your architect does not have the experience or training to know how courts have construed important provisions, including those in the standard-form AIA. Also, depending on the version of the AIA, certain clauses may not even be enforceable. Another reason is simply to have someone explain to you the meaning of the provisions themselves and add language needed to protect your interests. The advantage of using an AIA is reliability, but that is no reason for not engaging counsel at the outset.

BeatingUpwind | 12 years and 11 months ago

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We’re at the tail end of an $800K rehab. I want to second edkopel’s recommendation that you use an AIA contract. It’s been refined over and over for exactly the situation you’re in. And don’t cut corners when you go through and fill it out. It’s long for a reason… slopefarm’s comment that the most important thing is to have a really good understanding and be on the same page with your contractor is also important. But after an earlier renovation where we thought we were on the same page but we wound up with a lien and a lawsuit… You honestly never know what your contractor is thinking when you start a project. A good contract makes sure you really are on the same page.

agdipierro

in Construction 12 years and 11 months ago

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I recommend starting with a standard Owner -Contractor Agreement  furnished by the American Institute of Architect (AIA) or Association of General Contractors (AGC). Any modifications to the standard agreements should be identified. An architect hired hourly could help you sort this out

slopefarm | 12 years and 11 months ago

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I will say this from the homeowner side, having been through this, that it is more important that you and the contractor understand each other about the scope and details of work and that the contract reflect it, than that you vet the contract for legalese and fine-print kinds of issues. I’d be more worried about forgetting to include something you want done or not spelling it out correctly. In this context, an architect is going to be more helpful than a lawyer to make sure what you want is in the contract and to minimize the potential for misunderstandings, if you are not confident in this area. Also, pay attention to payment schedules and don’t let payments ahead of the job.

Tek Guy 61 | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Bravo Aaron.

bkmatthew | 12 years and 11 months ago

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Yes you should get your own lawyer. Your lawyer will explain the consequences of the standard contract to you, and will also advise whether to change any of the standard terms and review any of the contractor’s proposed riders. If you are paying five or six figures for contracting work, pay your lawyer to protect this investment. Having your lawyer review the contract will also put the General Contractor on notice that they’re not dealing with the average sap.

greenmountain | 12 years and 11 months ago

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You already have a lawyer.  In fact you have a team of lawyers.  Also, I have already paid them on your behalf.  As a Licensed Home Improvement Contractor, I pay for your lawyers to protect you form me.  Why do you want to pay again? Your law firm is called the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs.  I pay them with my license fees.  I am not bonded, but in addition to license fees, I pay in to a DCA fund so when you have a problem, you have a lawyer.  But the DCA does more than step in when there are problems. They provide you with the most consumer protective contract in the world.  And, since all residential contractors in the city are required to be licensed, all of our contracts are approved by your law firm.  If we use a contact which is not approved, it is not binding on us.  So, the contractor friendly AIA contract is not approved and not binding on NYC contractors (licensed or not).  “Time and materials” is not approved and not binding on contractors.  Whatever your privately hired lawyer comes up with to additionally protect you, it is either not approved or more likely, already in the approved contract. You say this is going to cost you “big bucks.”  Do you want your contractor to spend money on a lawyer to represent them when dealing with your lawyer?  You know there is a DCA for you, but there is no agency paid for by our clients to protect us from them.  We have to pay our lawyers. To save money many consumers choose to hire unlicensed contractors.  The law which requires me to be licensed does not require home owners to hire licensed contractors.  Many unlicensed contractors save money by avoiding workers compensation insurance and taxes, the very things our community has established to protect all of us. It might be cheaper to hire a contractor, who pays workers in cash and pays for materials in cash and never pays taxes, and you could hire a lawyer, and they could assure you that if somebody gets hurt or the contractor gets in trouble, none of their trouble would get back to you.  Or, you could hire a licensed contractor. But, I think you should know when you ask: “Is it recommended (to hire a lawyer)?” you are also asking: “should I go it alone?”  We already know there are more unlicensed contractors than licensed ones.  Most consumers and ‘Stoners have concluded:  they would rather not participate in the system designed to protect them.  We are in an anti-regulation time.  But, the city council could move the licensing of Home Improvement Contractors from the DCA to the Department of Buildings.  This was discussed recently in a public hearing.  If or when they do, the DOB might deal with the problem the way they do with plumbers, electricians, architects and engineers.  They might stop recommending and start requiring you to hire a licensed contractor.