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: Contracts

Reasonableness of Liquidated Damages Determined at Time of Contract (or, You Can’t Look Back Again)

Originally posted 2020-08-31 11:51:41. I’ve discussed the continuing litigation between White Oak Power Constructors v. Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Americas, Inc. previously here at Construction Law Musings because the case was another reminder that your construction contract terms matter and will be interpreted strictly here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The prior opinion in this

A Reminder to Get Your Contractor’s License in Virginia

A question I get often, particularly from construction contractors outside of Virginia is whether they need to get a Virginia contractor’s license.  The answer is almost invariably “yes.”  The next question is why?  The answer is almost always “Because state law says so.”  With some minor exceptions for material suppliers and the like, Virginia law

Virginia General Assembly Tweaks Pay-if-Paid Ban

Last year, the Virginia General Assembly passed into law a ban on the so-called pay-if-paid clauses, effective January 1, 2023.  I shared my thoughts and concerns with the legislation as drafted at the time of its passage.  During this most recent legislative session, and among some other construction-related bills, the General Assembly sought to clarify

Construction Contract Terms Matter. Be Careful When You Draft Them.

Originally posted 2022-01-28 12:15:02. In a prior post, I discussed the case of Fluor Fed. Sols., LLC v. Bae Sys. Ordinance Sys in the context of the interplay between fraud, contract, and statutes of limitation.  Some cases just keep on giving.  This time the case illustrates the need for careful drafting of those pesky, and

Pleading Matters when Enforcing a Construction Contract

Originally posted 2013-03-25 09:00:55. On more than one occasion here at Construction Law Musings, I discussed the necessity of a good construction contract.  Of course, even the best contracts require proper pleading in court if you want to enforce them. The Western District of Virginia federal court recently reminded us that a properly plead complaint