Construction Law Clinic

Breach of contract – can I claim for loss of earnings? Problem: Customer cancelled and no longer responding After finishing a job for a customer in August 2018, I was subsequently asked for a price to decorate a living room. Via Facebook Messenger, I sent the customer a quote in the second week of September […]

Asked to execute a contract as a deed for construction work Problem: Agreeing sub-contract documentation for a job but asked to execute the contract as a deed? I work for a contractor that specialises in concrete screeding.  We were recently successful with a tender to design and carry out screeding work to a number of […]

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 […]