Contractors cannot file mechanic’s liens on public construction projects, such as work on military bases, courthouses, or government owned buildings. Instead, the Federal Miller Act, 40 U.S.C. § 3131-3134, fills in this gap by protecting certain levels of subcontractors and material suppliers from general contractors who fail to pay them […]
Managing Problem Construction Projects in Turbulent Times: Tools for Success is a multi-part education series designed for business owners and leaders in the construction industry. Part 2, titled “Liens and Protecting Your Right to Get Paid,” covered Florida lien law and other mechanisms that subcontractors and suppliers can employ to […]
Managing Problem Construction Projects in Turbulent Times: Tools for Success is a multi-part education series designed for business owners and leaders in the construction industry. Part 1, titled “Notice and Documenting of Claims,” covered notice and documenting of claims; specifically, how to properly document and provide timely notice of claims […]
When can a construction CGL insurer finally breathe easy? The answer can be found in Fla. Stat. § 95.11(3)(c), Florida’s statute of limitations and repose for construction defects. The statute of limitations prohibits construction defect claims 4 years after the claim accrues. For not-readily-observable defects (“latent defects”), the claim does not […]
Part 1 of this series provided an overview of Florida’s Consumer Collections Practices Act (FCCPA) and explained why it is imperative for all business owners to be aware of, and understand, the FCCPA. This article explores Section 559.77’s bona fide error defense and how businesses can be prepared to defend […]
All businesses in the state of Florida need to be familiar with Florida’s Consumer Collection Practices Act (“FCCPA”). The FCCPA is found at Sections 559.55-559.785 of the Florida Statutes. The FCCPA is intended to protect consumers and is intentionally unfair to creditors. See §559.552, Fla. Stat. (2019); Kelly v. Duggan, […]
Delays are sometimes unavoidable on construction projects. When delays occur, they can often result in increased costs to contractors and subcontractors, and may bring exposure to owner claims for liquidated damages for delay. Certain types of delays, such as those caused by circumstances beyond the contractor’s control, may be deemed […]
Many Florida construction companies have spent the past month in varying states of partial operation due to the Governor’s stay-at-home order related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although restraints are now starting to be lifted, that does not mean things will be right back to business as usual. In re-opening their […]
Construction projects are fragile and issues often arise when the project in practice doesn’t match the project in planning. Resolving these issues has become more standardized with the enactment of Florida Statutes Chapter 558, but the chapter may create as much litigation for insurance companies as it hopes to alleviate. […]
Whether you are an owner, contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, payment problems on a construction project can have dire consequences. To better protect against those payment problems, and depending on the type of construction project, Florida law gives certain persons the right to look to a payment bond when they have […]