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: Construction Law

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

When is Mediation Appropriate for Your Construction Case?

Originally posted 2015-04-21 10:03:28. Here at Construction Law Musings, I have often discussed mediation as a good alternative to the expense and headaches of litigation.  What I have discussed less often are the circumstances in which it is most appropriate to consider or even push for mediation. The obvious and clearest time that mediation must

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

Lead-Based Paint Renovation, Repair and Painting Program Law-Important Legal Issues

Originally posted 2013-04-15 09:00:30. For this week’s Guest Post Friday here at Construction Law Musings, we welcome Andrea Goldman for the second time.  Andrea (@andreagoldman) is the principal in the Law Office of Andrea Goldman, 305 Walnut Street, Newton, Massachusetts 02460.  She is a litigator, mediator and arbitrator.  Andrea focuses on construction, contractor/homeowner and business

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