Archive:August 20, 2013

1
Attributes of a Good Construction Contract

Attributes of a Good Construction Contract

By Richard Paciaroni, K&L Gates, Pittsburgh

In April, I participated as a panelist for a program titled Failure is an Option, which addressed best practices for developing a construction project.  Being the only lawyer on the panel among seasoned construction professionals, I was prepared to tackle the topic from a lawyer’s perspective.  I was told to expect the following questions: 1) Is there such a thing as a “good” construction contract?; 2) Can a “good” contract increase the likelihood of success?; and 3) What are the attributes of a “good” construction contract?

After nearly 30 years of handling construction claims and disputes, I felt that I was qualified to address these points.  Specifically, my answers to the first two questions were “yes.”  A good analogy that I can offer is that a “good” construction contract is like a well-constructed ship—it will get you safely through rough water.  Conversely, a “bad” construction contract is analogous to a poorly constructed ship—in rough water, it is likely to capsize, resulting in disaster.

To read the full article, click here.

This article was originally published in the Summer, 2013 edition of The Voice—The Official Magazine of the Construction Users Roundtable.

Copyright © 2024, K&L Gates LLP. All Rights Reserved.