Construction Law Blog

Navigating Building Decarbonization in New York State: Strategies for Commercial & Industrial Leaders – An LIBN Article

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. does not own this content. This content was created by NYSERDA, and was published to the Long Island Business News on June 1st, 2024. To view the full article, please click here.

Commercial, multifamily, and industrial buildings – both new and existing – face barriers to decarbonization amid competing demands and growing pressure from legislation and consumers. But there are opportunities to build value today, namely energy efficiency and strategic electrification, while making progress toward a decarbonized future.

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The Law Offices of John Caravella to Co-present in Halfmoon Seminars October 29th Webinar

Long Island Construction Attorney, John Caravella, Esq, will be co-presenting for Halfmoon Seminars Laws for New York Architects on October 29th, 2020. Along with two other New York construction industry professionals, Mr. Caravella and his other co-presenters will discuss the fine details of Law for New York Architects.

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Mastering Contract Management in Construction: A Business Owner’s Guide

This article was written by guest blogger Suzie Wilson.

Contracts form the backbone of any construction business, establishing clear, effective communication and understanding between parties. They ensure that every project’s details are agreed upon, protect your interests, and help avoid conflicts. Understanding how to manage these documents efficiently is critical for success in the construction industry. This article, presented by The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C., explores several key areas to enhance your contract management skills.

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The Methods and Benefits of Sustainable Construction – a Construction21 Article

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. does not own this content. This content was created by Chris Jackson, and was published to Construction21 on 2/11/2/21. To view the full article, please click here. 

The construction industry is one of the most prominent consumers of minerals and natural resources by its very nature. The need and significance of sustainability in construction have become a debated topic due to the growing concerns over global warming and the finite nature of resources. This conventional truth caused increased pressure on construction firms to reduce their environmental impact.

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Changes vs. Cardinal Changes: The Limit of Construction Contract Changes


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.

However, the ability for owner requested changes, even if provided in the contract, are not without limitations, restrictions, and consequences. After all, what purpose would any of the project documents, contracts and drawings serve if they were subject to constant change? What good would the contract serve if the owner could make any change(s) without consequence?

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Understanding Roles and Relationships of Construction Project Participants. Who Does What?

On October 17th, John Caravella was invited to speak at the AIA Contract Document Workshop where he was able to share his knowledge about Construction Contract Interpretation and Fundamentals. In this specific article, we share the Roles and Relationships of Construction Project Participants. This way, we can fully understand who really does what on a construction job site.

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Hiring a Contractor: Top 3 Things Every Homeowner Needs To Verify

Time and time again, homeowners hire fraudulent contractors without knowing so. There are many instances where the homeowner will hire a contractor without really knowing what they’re all about. Usually out of excitement, or desperation to complete unfinished work, homeowners will too often hire their contractor based off an estimate, without digging deeper as to the insurance status or legitimacy of the contractor’s business. With that said, what are the top 3 things every homeowner needs to verify before hiring a contractor and signing the contract? Continue reading “Hiring a Contractor: Top 3 Things Every Homeowner Needs To Verify”

Governor Hochul Advances Nation-Leading Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Construction Program – Press Release

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

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that the New York State Public Service Commission made major changes to New York’s electric vehicle “make-ready” program to speed up the transition to zero-emissions electric vehicles. Today’s changes are designed to accelerate the development of EV charging infrastructure to combat range anxiety and ensure New Yorkers have access to convenient and reliable EV charging. Combined, the programs announced today are expected to stimulate $4 billion in total investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. More and more New Yorkers are going electric every day, with 175,000 electric or plug-in hybrid EVs on the road today, and approximately 3 million anticipated by 2030.

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Top 5 Tips for New York Residential Contractors

Often times in discussions with contractors, I hear many of the same types of issues repeat themselves, and from the perspective of counsel, quite preventable. While not every potential problem on a project can be determined upfront, keeping the following 5 tips for contractors in mind might be helpful in preventing problems, improving business practices, and effectively managing risks.

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