Owner Pointing Finger at Contractor in Construction DisputeIn Building Overrun Cases on the Rise, journalistEd Hammond at the Financial Times reports that late completion disputes are already rising this year in the UK.  He also mentions:

  • With projects started in better times now yielding lower occupancy and returns, owners are more inclined to pursue claims against their contractors
  • Liquidated damages claims for late completion are rising in frequency and amount
  • Austere times and pressure on margins are compelling owners and contractors to become more contentious and adversarial
  • The Construction Products Association predicts a 3% decrease in spending for 2010

Will these tends continue in the in the UK?  Will they cross the Atlantic to North America too?

As construction disputes intensify and relationships become more strained, your contracts will come under more scrutiny.  Are you and your contracts fortified for that?