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

Don’t Waive Too Much In Your Mechanic’s Lien Waiver

In the past few years, the Virginia General Assembly has, with certain caveats, precluded pre-furnishing waiver of mechanic’s lien rights.  While this essentially outlawed the types of mechanic’s lien waiver clauses that pervaded construction contracts in Virginia, the key to the previous sentence is “pre-furnishing.” What the General Assembly left intact were the usual waivers

Trust Your Gut When Deciding Whether to Sign a Construction Contract

Originally posted 2014-03-31 09:00:24. Last week’s Construction Law Musings were about the need to communicate before, during and after a construction project.  This week, I continue my thoughts on some business practices that make my life as a construction attorney and adviser (not to mention your lives as construction professionals) easier and less stressful.  This

Reminder: Pay if Paid Not All Encompassing (but Could it be?)

Originally posted 2011-11-04 09:00:46. On numerous occasions, I have discussed the need to be careful with so-called “pay if paid” clauses in construction contracts.  While such clauses are enforceable in Virginia (when phrased correctly), there are exceptions and limitations (for instance in the Miller Act context). One such exception (that I frankly would have thought

Why Do I Teach? To Learn Something of Course!

A week ago on Thursday and Friday August 29 and 30, 2019, I had the pleasure of co-teaching a two day module on Contract Administration for the Project Manager Development Program created by the Associated General Contractors of America. This was my favorite kind of class, a class for mostly young construction professionals looking to