Construction & Renovation: Contractor Disputes Including Workmanship Quality Concerns, Among Other Issues

Question: What are common disputes between contractors and property owners in Canada, and how can they be avoided?

Answer: Common disputes between contractors and property owners often involve accusations of poor workmanship by the property owner and failure of payment by the contractor. To avoid these issues, ensure a clear and detailed renovation contract is established. By outlining project scope, timelines, and payment schedules, parties can reduce misunderstandings and potential litigation. For further advice or assistance on construction law matters, contact Marketing.Legal for a complimentary initial consultation and regain peace of mind.

Common Disputes Affecting Contractors

Legal cases wherein the issue in dispute involves a property owner and a contractor are very common. In the Small Claims Court, disputes between a property owner and a contractor are an almost everyday occurrence. It is common that the allegations in construction law cases will involve a property owner alleging defective work or incomplete work and the contractor alleging failure of payment due.

Challenges

Construction law cases can be very challenging to litigate due to the extent of laws involves as well as the extent of evidence usually involved and the need for independent witnesses to inspect and provide expert reports as to what constitutes as proper workmanship and thus whether the trade standards or the contractual specifications for the project were met, valuation of the portion of work properly completed, among other things; and accordingly, even the seasoned legal professional may find construction law cases as burdensome to litigate. Disputes involving construction or renovation projects are often additionally troublesome as contractors and property owners alike will frequently begin a lawsuit without first obtaining proper legal advice.

Furthermore, lawsuits involving construction or renovation projects commonly include legal issues that go beyond allegations of poor quality of work and also include legal issues such as quantum meruit disputes over the value of partially completed work, consumer rights concerns, mitigation requirements, and much more.