Alabama Contract Drafting and Negotiations Attorneys

No construction project ever moves forward without numerous contracts being negotiated, drafted, and executed. Indeed, contracts will exist between funders and contractors, contractors and suppliers, funders and property owners, and numerous other parties. Contracts are legally binding, and therefore ensuring that the language they contain is precise and fair is critical to forming a solid, lasting contract that all parties involved can feel good about.

At Clay Phillips Law Firm, our Montgomery construction attorney has years of experience representing subcontractors, contractors, owners, suppliers, design professionals, and others in creating contracts that are strong and legally valid. If you have questions about contract drafting and negotiations for your business in the construction industry, call our law firm today to learn about your options and how our law firm can help.

Types of Construction Contracts We Work On

We have a wide a range of experience in construction contracts and can represent your company’s best interests regarding:

• Lump-sum contracts. A lump-sum contract is one of the most basic and one of the most common types of construction contracts. Also called a fixed-price contract, a lump-sum contract outlines a single set price that will include all of the work performed under the contract. While these contracts are simple and common, they can also be risky, as there may be room for loss—especially with large projects—and because miscalculations can undercut profits.
• Time and materials contracts. Unlike lump-sum contracts which set a fixed price for all of the work performed, time and materials contracts work by establishing a daily or hourly pay rate for workers and by requiring reimbursement for the cost of materials. These types of contracts are more preferable when the scope of a project is not clearly defined or fixed, or when contractors need more flexibility in terms of materials, timelines, etc.
• Cost-plus contracts. A cost-plus contract, also sometimes called a cost-reimbursement contract, is similar to a time and materials contract in that it requires reimbursement for any materials used. However, unlike a time and materials contract, this type of contract also requires paying a set amount of money for profit; this amount is typically a percentage of the total project price.
• Unit price contracts. Sometimes called remeasurement contracts or measurement contracts, unit price contracts work by dividing up the total amount of work in a project into blocks, or units, and then billing based on each unit or phase of work. While this can simplify invoicing, payments are sometimes delayed and knowing the total value of the project in advance can prove challenging.
• Guaranteed Maximum Price contracts. A Guaranteed Maximum Price, or GMP, provision is often included in other contract types. Essentially, this type of provision caps the contract price at a certain amount, ensuring that the price will never go over the GMP. These types of provisions are very common in construction contracts, although they do place a risk on contractors who may set a GMP that’s too low, undercutting profits.
• Other legal contracts. In addition to the above, our law firm can assist with a variety of other contract types, including employment contracts, government contracts, supplier contracts, and more. Please reach out to us directly to learn how we can help.

Our Legal Services

We offer myriad legal services pertaining to contracts for parties in the construction industry.

These include:

• Contract negotiation. We can represent you throughout all stages of negotiating your contract, from the initial drafting to the final touches. We understand how valuable strong negotiation skills are, and the difference that they can make on your bottom line. Our lawyer has years of negotiation experience and will aggressively protect your interests.
• Contract drafting. In addition to handling all of the negotiations, our firm will also draft, edit, revise, and finalize any contract you’re working on. We ensure that contracts are drafted according to any legal requirements and best practices. This helps to guarantee that once a contract is signed by all parties, it will be enforceable.
• Breach of contract disputes. Once a contract is signed, it is legally binding and enforceable. This means that all parties to the contract are bound by the provisions of the contract. If a contract is breached, there may be legal consequences for the party in breach and legal remedies for the other. We have experience representing clients on both sides of a contract dispute/breach of contract case and can help you to navigate your options.

Why Contract Negotiation Matters

Negotiating a contract is necessary to the success of a business, regardless of whether you are an owner, contractor, supplier, or another party. There are numerous elements of a contract that can impact your bottom line and success, including things such as costs of materials, timelines, scope of work, type of contract, allocation of risk, and schedule.

Understanding how each of these unique factors works together to impact an entire project is critical to forming a contract that is fair for your business. Our lawyer will ensure that no factor is left unconsidered and that a project is understood in full before you sign anything.

About Our Law Firm

Attorney Clay Phillips worked in the construction industry, both as a laborer and a company owner, before obtaining his Juris Doctorate. His unique experience in both construction and the law positions him as a top advocate for companies like yours in the construction industry. If you are getting ready to start a project and need help drafting a contract, reviewing a contract, or negotiating a contract, you can count on Clay Phillips Law Firm.

Call Clay Phillips Law Firm Today
To learn more about our services for contract negotiation for businesses in the construction industry, please call our law firm directly today or send us a message online at your convenience. We provide myriad construction-related legal services to clients throughout Montgomery and the surrounding areas. Visit our law firm in person, send us an email, or call 334-277-8753 to learn more.