Have you ever visited an old neighborhood or home you haven’t been to in several years only to find it replaced by a road, bridge or shopping mall? If you have, then you've witnessed the effects of eminent domain. Backed by the power of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, this clause states that... read more
Unbeknownst to many homeowners, a city council or state or federal government can deem your piece of land for “public use”. While handling a case of eminent domain might be out of your hands, a clause in the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution, however, limits the government’s right to take homeowner property for public use... read more
In the construction industry, you’ll find yourself in this situation time and time again: signing a contract to work on a project as a contractor or subcontractor. Ideally, these documents are meant to define what the responsibilities are for all parties involved in the project are, obligations to each other, delivery of products or services... read more
Those in the construction business know the excitement that comes with landing a new contract, especially if it’s a great client with an interesting project. It’s easy to sometimes overlook essential clauses and outlines, but a contract will not only protect you, it will also ensure that work gets done. Some clients get very enthusiastic... read more
Construction contracts can be simple or tremendously complex. At Fryer & Hansen, we pride ourselves in having extensive knowledge in construction law, legal disputes and anything that comes with dealing with construction projects. We’ve put together a little how-to when writing your first construction contract. Even the word sounds complicated, but if you do your... read more
One of the most common contracts used in construction and various energy industries is the arbitration clause. Many who specialize in construction law, when faced with a choice between the two, insist on arbitration despite its pitfalls. A bench trial is also a great and viable alternative to arbitration. Let's talk about the two. Call... read more
Ambiguities usually arise for a number of reasons in contracts. These stem from lumping in numerous factors and documents - such as general conditions, principal agreements, specifications and change orders - into a single contract. What leads to these situations? Most of the time, it’s the rush to finalize contracts that causes problems, and if... read more
Professionals working in construction, such as contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, carpenters, plumbers and others, have a right to be paid the total amount owed for their work and in a timely manner. Mechanic’s lien protects these professionals by ensuring that they receive their money. A lien is the right to possess property that belongs to... read more
When a new construction project is underway, there are contracts that all parties involved must abide by if they agree to them; these contracts are a part of construction law. This contract agreement ensures that the project will be completed in a timely manner and according to the specifications listed in within. An official construction... read more
The Texas Water Development Board surveys public water systems and industrial facilities every year to investigate how much they use, where it comes from and what it is used for. In 2014, 62% used groundwater and 38% used surface water. Nearly half of the surface water was used by local government entities; the other half... read more