Need Litigation Attorney re Architect and Contractor

Our Architect and our Contractor completed the metal deck portion of our renovation in Park Slope using plans that were stamped all over ““NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION Schematic drawings for pricing only. Architectural & Structural Engineering reviews required”. The work, as you might expect, did not go well, including sagging metal beams, a blocked vent, leaks into our walls because they didn’t factor in the depth of the stone deck and seemingly only realized the need for a snow step after the fact. The foundations have been left open for over a year with repairs only partially done. Despite efforts and pleadings with them to fix this over a four year period the deficiencies have not been dealt with. Two years ago we had an independent consultants report done that catalogued the shortcomings.

We are giving this one last go but have now reached the point where we may soon proceed to file complaints with the DOB, professional bodies etc. and also start legal and/or arbitration proceedings (not necessarily in that order).

Have any of you worked with a very effective (litigatio n or construction law) attorney who has no tolerance for bad behavior and is not at all willing to be delayed or fobbed off?

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

lopopolo647

in General Discussion 5 years and 7 months ago

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slopefarm | 5 years and 7 months ago

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I don’t have any attorney recs. But in the mean time, have you gotten estimates from other contractors for what it would cost to repair and complete the job? That, minus any amounts remaining on your existing contract, are likely to be what you can get in litigation. My hunch is you are asking for more headaches if you are able to pressure the bad guys to do the work — they have every incentive to cut corners and do it on the cheap. If you can afford to complete the work with someone new, get it done, at least enjoy your home, and turn this into solely a money issue.