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: Mechanic’s Liens

Be Sure to Bring Up Any Mechanic’s Lien Defenses Early and Often

As those of you who regularly read Musings are aware, mechanic’s liens are a big part of my law practice and a big issue here at this construction law blog.  I’ve discussed the picky requirements of the mechanic’s lien statutes in Virginia and how the 90 and 150-day rules are strictly enforced. However, a recent

Early Action on Your Construction Contract is Key

Originally posted 2014-09-23 10:59:49. I bang the drum of early and frequent consultation with one of us construction attorneys on a regular basis here at Musings and in other places of the “blawgosphere.” Why do I do this?  Doesn’t such consultation help to avoid the problems that seem to make those of us in the

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

One More Mechanic’s Lien Number- the Number 30

I’ve spoken here often about the numbers 90 and 150 as they relate to Virginia mechanic’s liens.  These numbers are important for all mechanic’s liens in Virginia, whether commercial or residential (meaning liens for 1 and 2-family homes).  There is another number, 30, that is important for those construction contractors that perform work on single