Construction Law Clinic

Contract transferred to the main contractor Problem: Main contractor has approached operatives and asked them to work directly for them I started my business earlier this year, the reason being is that I had an opportunity of a large contract with the promise of a good return. The business specialises in spray-painting composite door frames. […]

Can I sell goods that do not belong to me? Problem: Main contractor refusing to make payment My company had a contract with a main contractor, which I terminated myself because the main contractor did not pay the company on time.  Since termination, the main contractor continues to refuse to make any payment.   Prior

Building company’s entitlement to interim payments Problem: Problem with construction delays and interim payments: My building company was approached by a local business in 2017 and asked us to price for building an extension to an existing warehouse.  Having submitted a price, we were subsequently informed that we were in the running for the construction

How do I get my retention money back from a client? Problem: Construction business having trouble claiming retention money back: We are a small business in the construction industry and have worked for one particular client on various jobs for about 3 years, although we have never had an official written contract in place in

Customer gives work to other cheaper contractor after agreeing quotation Problem: Is client breaching contract when they terminate construction work I am a carpentry contractor.  Earlier this year I emailed my rates over to a new client to build their new house, which was accepted.  I completed the first fix but then had to leave

Customer threatening to take me to court for garden building damages Problem: Building dispute over damage to a garden feature In July last year, a client asked me to build a garden wall.  I employed sub-contractors to do the work, which was completed without any problems and the customer was happy. During the time that

Construction client doesn’t pay invoice and then folds – have I been scammed? Problem: After not being paid for electrical work, the company folds I may have been scammed!  I carried out some electrical work for a new client company, put the invoice in and some months later, having not been paid, the client company

Housing association not giving building contractor work Problem: Exceeded housing associations financial year orders We run a small repair and maintenance company and have worked for a large housing association for nearly 30 years. About 95% of our work has been with this one housing association although we have never had an official construction contract

Court summons from recruitment agency for hiring construction professionals Problem: Recruitment agency suing for hiring fixers after a construction project was completed I am the commercial director of a large plastering company, carrying out contracts all over the UK.  Although we directly employ a fairly large labour force, from time-to-time we also have to use

Application issue date changed by developer but not made in writing Problem: ‘No oral variation’ clause in a construction contract problem I have a contractual issue with a developer that my building company is currently employed by.  My company entered into a contract about 12 months ago to construct a small housing estate, comprising 22