Thoughts on construction law from Christopher G. Hill, Virginia construction lawyer, LEED AP, mediator, and member of the Virginia Legal Elite in Construction Law

Category Archives: Business of Construction

A Teaming Agreement is Still a Contract (or, Be Careful with Agreements to Agree)

I have discussed teaming agreements in this past here at Construction Law Musings.  These agreements are most typically where one of two entities meets a contracting requirement but may not have the capacity to fulfill a contract on its own so brings in another entity to assist.  However, these agreements are contracts and are treated

Form Contracts are Great, but. . .

Originally posted 2011-06-24 09:26:58. Recently I was discussing the ConsensusDOCs with a colleague and friend and had a revelation. These forms are used often (though somewhat less than their AIA counterparts and less than they should be used). Quick disclaimer: I have been a part of a couple of drafting committees for ConsensusDOCs and am

General Indemnity Agreement Can Come Back to Bite You

I talk about payment bonds often here at Construction Law Musings.  I talk a bit less about performance bonds and even less about the General Indemnity Agreements (GIA) that are signed by companies and their principals as part of the agreement between a construction company and its bonding company for the provision of these bonds. 

Construction Contract Provisions that Should Pique Your Interest

Construction contracts are a big part of my legal practice and the drumbeat here at Construction Law Musings.  Why?  Because not only does your construction contract set the expectations and “rules of the game” for a construction project, it will be read strictly and literally by the Virginia courts should there be a dispute.  For

Why Your Construction Company Needs a “Staff Attorney”

Construction projects can get complex.  Not only do the contracts governing those projects seem to get more complex, but the law governing those contracts and the construction world seem to change on a regular (though not always logical) basis.  Its enough to make a construction professional want to simply sign a contract and plug ahead