Closing Out A Florida Construction Project

Once a Florida construction project has reached substantial completion, it’s time to move on to the closeout process. This process can be complex and vary depending on the nature of your construction project. It usually includes a review of contract documents, change orders, final inspection, preparation of punch list, exchange of lien releases, written warranties and making a final payment.

During the project closeout, Florida construction law attorneys can help owners navigate this often burdensome, stressful and time-consuming process. They’ll review contracts and change orders to ensure that all parties have fulfilled their responsibilities according to Florida construction laws. Florida construction law attorneys can also provide legal advice in regards to lien releases and warranties, and may even represent owners in court if any legal disputes arise.

At the completion of your Florida construction project, having a Florida construction law attorney by your side can ensure that everything is done properly and to avoid any potential issues that could result in litigation down the road.

During the closeout phase of a Florida construction project, it is essential that all contractual obligations have been fulfilled. As such, it is essential to conduct a thorough review of the applicable contract, specifications, plans, change orders, and other documents related to the construction in order to ensure that all parties have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities.

The terms and conditions in Florida construction contracts may vary significantly depending on the size and scope of the project. The specific contract may address the closeout process, as well as include timeframes and deadlines for the completion of certain elements. It’s crucial to review these documents closely so that all contractual obligations are met in a timely manner.

To ensure that these contractual obligations are fulfilled, it is recommended to enlist the help of a Florida construction law attorney to review and interpret the documents in order to provide guidance regarding any potential risks or liabilities for all parties involved. A Florida construction law attorney can also help ensure that all parties are complying with their legal obligations and will be able to provide assistance in negotiating any potential disputes that may arise.

By engaging a Florida construction law attorney to review the documents related to the project closeout, you can have peace of mind knowing that all contractual obligations are being met.

By creating this checklist, contractors and managers can easily check the status of each action item. Having an up-to-date punch list will also help you determine if any loose ends need to be addressed. Alongside a comprehensive punch list, additional documents may be necessary such as:

Understanding the whereabouts and condition of your documents before a project is finished can significantly reduce completion time, as well as prevent additional delays incurred by having to develop new documents. Depending on the size and scope of the project, an owner may want to hire an engineer, licensed contractor, or home inspector to assist with assembling and reviewing this list. A punch list typically includes items such as:

Once all of the punch list items have been completed, the parties involved should walk through the project and make sure all of the necessary tasks have been completed to a satisfactory level. If you’re uncertain about how to proceed, it’s always best to consult with a Florida construction law attorney before making any final decisions.

Is there a clause in the contract that you wish to exercise, such as a termination clause? Taking action like ending a contract or escalating an amount of money might be permitted by a contract, but proceeding without due caution could turn into a liability situation. Getting legal advice before you exercise contractual options will help you avoid some pitfalls. A construction lawyer’s guidance is invaluable before the agreement is signed or before any action is taken.

The Florida Construction Lien Law protects some contractors, subcontractors, and material suppliers who don’t get paid for their work. They can file a lien against the property owner’s house even if they have been paid in full. So it’s important for property owners to ask for a lien release before they pay the final amount at the end of their construction project.

At Herman & Wells, Florida’s construction law attorneys, we can help you close out your project in a timely and efficient manner. For a flat fee, our experienced team of lawyers will help provide the necessary lien releases and give advice regarding any issues related to closing out your construction project.

Our services include researching liens that have been filed against your property, and drafting and filing liens and releases on your behalf. We understand the complexity of Florida’s Construction lien laws, so we are able to provide our clients with the best possible guidance regarding their construction project closeout process.