Construction Law Blog

4 Tips to Help You Build a Custom Home

This article was written by guest blogger Suzie Wilson.

When you build a custom home you get to bring your vision to life and create the house of your dreams from the ground up. However, it takes a lot of planning and careful decision-making to build a custom home, and there are several things you’ll need to get started. Finding the right professionals to help you create the house is essential, and from there you’ll need to create a plan in order to stay on task and on budget. Of course, you’ll also need to think about buying land in just the right spot, and that can be quite a job in itself. So, here are four tips to help you get started when you’re ready to build your dream home.

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Press Release: Governor Hochul Announces Completion of South Fork Wind

Long Island Construction Law does not own this content. This content was created by Governor Hochul’s Press Office. To view the full press release, please click here. 

Governor Hochul: “The South Fork Wind Project is nothing short of a triumph of New York ambition. It’s a truly momentous occasion for this clean energy announcement, and I’m proud to state that the rest of the nation is watching. And this will serve as a beacon for the rest of the nation, a statement to everyone of what is possible, and this will be emulated time and time again.”

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The Top Ten Questions to Ask your New Contractor

 

Time and time again, homeowners are so excited about a new construction project, they go into the project blindly, forgetting to ask basic questions which can make or break their relationship with a contractor or architect. Before starting any type of construction project, it’s wise to ask these ten most-forgotten questions to ensure your construction project is timely, organized, and protected.

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New York Construction Delays, All Things Being Equal, They’re Not

Everyone knows that time is money, and in particular this is true with New York construction contracts. It is also well known that delays are often part of the construction reality, along with change orders and extras. Delays impact owners, contractors and subcontractors.

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2017 AIA Modifications, Insurance and Bond Exhibits Recap

On June 24th, 2020, Long Island Construction Attorney, John Caravella, Esq, co-presented Strafford’s AIA virtual webinar. Along with Steven Nudelman and Warren F. Jacoby, Mr. Caravella and his other co-presenters discussed the fine details of AIA Contract Documents: 2017 Modifications, Insurance and Bond Exhibit, Owner – Contractor Documents and Owner – Architect Agreements. Within this article, you will have a better understanding of the changes to an AIA Contract Document and what you, as a construction professional should know.

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NY Supreme Court Strikes Contractor Liability Limitation Provision

Many contractors and subcontractors go about their work feeling protected from claims for damages because their agreements contain certain exclusions. Some of these agreements will even have language stating ‘Not responsible for [X, Y, and Z]’. But the ruling handed down February 14, 2012, by the Supreme Court, Nassau County serves as a reminder that contractual indemnity provisions are more of a privilege than a right, and are not subject to enforcement automatically.

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Why Homeowners are Vulnerable When Hiring an Unlicensed Contractor

Managing a budget is generally a high priority on a homeowner’s list when beginning a home improvement project.  Unfortunately, many homeowners make the mistake of saving money by hiring an unlicensed contractor.  Although it may seem to be the more attractive, less expensive option, hiring an unlicensed contractor to save some money could be very problematic, leading to long-term negative financial effects or legal consequences.  This is due to the fact that there is no guarantee that an unlicensed contractor will have the necessary insurance policies in place to protect your property, themselves, their workers, and any other damages that may arise from their construction work.

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Is It Worth It To Elevate Your Home?


One of the most common causes of home elevation is extreme weathering and flooding. In general, there are two options when deciding to elevate your home. The homeowner can physically lift the home, building a new foundation at the bottom, or leaving the home as is, but just building a “livable space” upper level, alternatively converting the ground level to a complete closure.

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The Top 5 Avenues of Architect Liability in New York

Architects in New York can be found liable for damages in various situations, depending on who claims damage, and the basis of the claim itself. For example, where an owner has a direct contract with the architect, the owner could bring forth a simple claim based on the contract or a claim based on a tort action. Such a tort action, based on negligence, is a claim for malpractice.

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What is a Surety Bond and When is it Used?

A surety bond is defined as a three-party agreement that legally binds together a principal who needs the bond, an obligee who requires the bond and a surety company that sells the bond.[1] The bond guarantees the principal will act in accordance with certain laws. If the principal fails to perform in this manner, the bond will cover resulting damages or losses. When is a bond such as this used?

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