What is a Change Order Directive?

Contract Agreement

The change order provision in a contract is one of the most important parts, allowing the parties to increase or decrease the scope of work. Every contract has its own unique terms as to what is required to have a change order completed correctly, who can sign, what will be included in the change order, […]

Navigating Residential Home Improvement Contracts in Alabama: What You Need to Know

Contract Agreement

Embarking on a home improvement project can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re renovating your kitchen, adding a new room, or upgrading your HVAC system, entering into a contract is a crucial step to protect both yourself and the contractor. Understanding Alabama’s specific requirements for residential home improvement contracts ensures that your project proceeds […]

4 Tips to Avoid Litigation as a Commercial Subcontractor

A woman in a blue hard hat, holding blueprints and talking on a phone, stands in the foreground. A man in a white hard hat, holding a tool, is blurred in the background. The logo of "The Cromeens Law Firm, PLLC" is in the top left corner.

If there’s one thing a construction attorney is probably not going to tell you, it’s the best way to avoid litigation. But there comes a point where you’ve seen as many people come through your door as I have that you say to yourself, “There has to be a better way.”  There’s no surefire way […]

If You Work in The Construction Industry, You Need a Construction Attorney

In the vast and intricate world of construction, navigating legal matters can often feel like trying to assemble something from IKEA without the instructions. From complex contracts to zoning regulations, the construction industry is rife with potential legal pitfalls that can derail projects and drain resources. While a general attorney may possess a wealth of […]

Don’t Ignore the Pain Points in Your Business, that is  Where Innovation Happens 

master subcontract agreement

The definition of innovation is the improvement of an existing method or process.  Businesses innovate when they fix things that are not working. Unfortunately, this means if you want continued innovation in your business, it only comes from pain, realizing where the pain is, and really digging in and fixing the issues. Most businesses have […]

Don’t Wait, Innovate!

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That’s the saying, right? When it comes to innovation, we tend to take a needs approach. I know I do. We’ll leavesomething until we absolutely need to fix it. I get it. It’s easier just to keep getting on, but weneed to look at needs in a broader […]

Indemnification in Construction Contracts

I think a lot of contractors are afraid of indemnification provisions because they do not know what they mean and how they are supposed to work. The general idea behind indemnification in construction contracts is that you are responsible for any damage you cause and any injuries to your subcontractors or employees. This basic idea makes sense […]

Beware of Bogus Construction Back Charges

Recently, I have had several cases where my clients were being assessed large back charges on commercial projects. Only to find out, after a little digging, the evidence relating to the back charge claims was bogus. What is a Back Charge in Construction? A back charge involves withholding or deducting money from a contractor or subcontractor’s […]

What Happens If I am Terminated?

Termination happens when you are fired from a project; this is not to be confused with a default; you are in default under the terms of a contract when you fail to do something required by it. For example, if your contract requires turning in daily reports and fail to do so, you are in default […]

Can I Stop Working If I Have Not Been Paid as a Contractor in Texas?

“Can I stop working if I have not been paid?” This is a question my clients ask very frequently, and my very “lawyerly” response is, it depends. Most people think it’s a given if they have not been paid, they can stop working. However, you may be in breach of the contract if you stop […]