Construction Law Blog

Is Residential Solar Energy Really Worth It?


As of 2016, there have been over 1.3 million solar panels installed on over 6,560,000 households in the United States. Arizona is the largest state utilizing residential solar energy. If solar energy seems to be so popular, why aren’t we all contributing to the environment? Just like any other construction job, solar panels and their installs have both pros and cons. These pros and cons can stretch from high costs to home damages, to even insurance premium increases. Whether you are a veteran homeowner or a first time home owner, is it really worth it to utilize residential solar energy?

Visit our Solar Dispute page to learn more about our services regarding Solar Energy.

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Potential Liability With Cost-Plus Construction Contracts

What is a cost-plus construction contract? A cost-plus construction contract is a contract in which a contractor agrees to be paid for all of his costs including a certain percentage for his expenses and profit. The pros vs. the cons of cost-plus construction contract format are a business decision, but cost-plus construction contract also raises legal issues contractors should be aware of before agreeing.

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Changes vs Cardinal Changes: The Limit of Construction Contract

Changes are an unavoidable aspect of construction. Although thorough effort and coordination are required in preparing the original project contract, specifications and construction drawings, there will still be changes. This is why owners are provided the right to make changes to the work under a typical contract changes clause.

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Construction Begins on State’s Largest Offshore Wind Project – An LIBN Article

Long Island Construction Law does not own this content. This content was created by David Winzelberg , and was published to the Long Island Business News. To view the full article, please click here. 

Elected officials, business and labor leaders joined developers in Bellport for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction for the $700 million Sunrise Wind project. 

The event held at the Boys and Girls Club of Bellport on Wednesday officially kicked off construction on the 924-megawatt offshore wind project that Ørsted is developing 30 miles off Montauk. 

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Top 5 Contractor Defenses in New York

Contractors are not only responsible for performing their contracted work, but are also charged with keeping the owner and the subcontractors working together to bring the project to completion successfully. Given this, they are regularly the subject of legal disputes. For this reason, many could benefit from an understanding of the following top 5 contractor defenses available in New York.

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If You Want a Construction Contract Enforced, You Need Your License

Recently, a contractor asked me how to create a good contract. After further discussion, I understood that this contractor was not licensed, but wanted advice on obtaining a good contract. Well, what is a good contract after all?

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Building the Green Way by Charles Lockwood – HBR

Long Island Construction Law does not own this content. This content was created by Charles Lockwood, and was published to the Harvard Business Review. 

Green buildings, as many know, have less negative impact on the environment than standard buildings. Their construction minimizes on-site grading, saves natural resources by using alternative building materials, and recycles construction waste rather than sending truck after truck to landfills. A majority of a green building’s interior spaces have natural lighting and outdoor views, while highly efficient HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) systems and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) materials like paint, flooring, and furniture create a superior indoor air quality.

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Architects Will See Greater Demand in Services as More Construction Projects Get Underway

John Caravella, a Construction Attorney at The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. and a former architect, says a recent report showing a lower demand for architects’ services last month is part of the business cycle and that, in some parts of Long Island, demand has been steady, especially for the construction of high-end and luxury homes. He adds that the improving economy will mean architects will be in greater demand as more money will be spent on construction projects.

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John Caravella awarded Leadership in Law Award

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK (Nov. 8, 2014) – LIConstructionLaw.com attorney John Caravella was recently named 2014 Leadership in Law Award winner in its sole practitioner category as decided by nominating members of the Long Island business community.

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Primary AIA Contract Documents

Last quarter, John Caravella was invited to speak at the AIA Contract Documents Workshop where he was able to share his knowledge about Construction Contract Interpretation and Fundamentals. In this specific article, we discuss the document types between different parties, to ensure the correct contract is being utilized for your specific type of work.

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