Construction Archive

Contractors are prohibited from filing mechanic’s liens on public projects like highways, schools or fire stations, as this would lead to public real estate foreclosure. Instead, they are offered alternative security in a performance bond as a guarantee against the failure of the other party to meet the contract obligations. Why it matters: Understanding the prohibition of mechanic’s liens on public projects and the role of performance bonds is important for contractors to secure their financial interests and ensure fulfillment of contractual obligations.

Arbitration is an alternative dispute-resolution process that uses a neutral third party to make a binding decision. Disputes are inevitable in any business or partnership, but most do not expect future litigation against the other party. However, in the construction industry, the average value of disputes in North America increased by 42% in 2023, according to a report from Arcadis. And 70% of construction projects end up with claims.

In response to global conflicts, the U.S. and its allies have increased economic sanctions and enforcement measures against various countries. Businesses can minimize their exposure to these changes by regularly monitoring sanction updates, understanding applicable laws, integrating sanctions compliance into regulatory processes and strengthening Know-Your-Customer (KYC) policies. Why it matters: The noticeable surge in, attention to and enforcement of international trade requirements and regulations underscore the need for credit managers to stay vigilant and be aware of potential …

The construction industry is directly impacted by weather conditions—heavy rain, snowstorms and dangerous heat temperatures can cause issues such as improper concrete curing and foundation pouring, for example. These can lead to prolonged delays resulting in project timeline disruptions, increased costs and ultimately impact the ability for creditors to get paid. Extreme weather events are only expected to become more common, and the construction industry is faced with finding creative strategies to adapt.

Housing starts rose to a 1-½-year high at 14.8% in November. According to a mid-December report from the U.S. Department of Commerce, permits for future construction of single-family housing in November increased to the highest level since May 2022.

General liability insurance, also known as business liability insurance, is pivotal in the construction world as it helps cover claims of bodily injury or property damage. But that may change in Illinois as the state’s Supreme Court held commercial general liability (CGL) policies can provide coverage in Illinois for damage caused by inadvertent construction defects. 

A mechanic’s lien is a tool to secure payment across all states. However, each state has adopted their own unique set of rules or statutes which must be followed to preserve and protect rights. Nearly 10 years ago, statute laws in Iowa changed, developing a registry for filing preliminary notices on residential projects.

In the intricate world of construction and property development, the mechanic’s lien serves as an essential legal tool, safeguarding the interests of those who contribute labor or materials to a project. The absence of such a tool is a loss of legal protection for contractors, subcontractors and suppliers ultimately leading to larger losses for all involved. Cleveland Brothers Equipment Company is facing that fate in a mechanic’s lien case that has been appealed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and the issue to be decided is whether equipment rental companies will continue to have rights…