Working in the construction industry can be frustrating. Contractors and laborers may do a lot of work on a property, only to face payment issues from customers. They may refuse to pay simply because they’re short on money or maybe they have an invalid reason. It does not matter. A person who has performed work on a construction project has the right to get paid, under Florida law. If you are facing payment issues, see how you can get proper payment with the help of a mechanic’s lien. Here’s a look at some questions that are commonly asked about the process. Q: Who is allowed to file a mechani ..read more

Teens have a lot to worry about. High schoolers are dealing with puberty, boyfriends and girlfriends, and thinking about college. They should not have to worry about the possibility of being put into unsafe situations and work and possibly getting seriously injured or killed. Unfortunately, serious workplace accidents are a real possibility for Florida teens due to a new bill that is being pushed to the Senate. The bill, SB 460, would allow minors over the age of 16 to work non-clerical jobs on residential construction sites. The bill recently cleared its final committee stop in a 13-4 vote an ..read more

Are you using the most current construction contracts? If you’re not sure, you better double-check because there could be dangers in using outdated contracts. A Supreme Court decision proved this. The court found an arbitration provision unenforceable when the contract stated that all claims “shall be submitted to arbitration before the Southern Arbitration and Mediation Association.” At the time the contract was drafted, the Southern Arbitration and Mediation Association was not around. In fact, it had not existed for approximately 17 years prior, showing just how outdated the contract was. T ..read more

The construction industry can be complicated due to the processes and terminology involved. One thing that is common in construction contracts is mention of an “act of God.” An act of God typically refers to an unforeseeable event that is beyond the control of the parties involved in a construction project. Acts of God are primarily nature-related events, such as hurricanes and fires. This term is also used in the insurance industry. An act of God can cause a lot of damage to a construction project. It may disrupt the project schedule, cause damage to the worksite or materials, and lead to fin ..read more

When you think of crimes that involve taking property without the owner’s consent, theft is probably the first thing that comes to mind. There are other types of crimes involving theft as well, such as robbery and burglary. Many people use these terms interchangeably, but they are not the same. There are different elements involved. Here’s what you should know about robbery and burglary and how they differ. Key Differences The FBI defines burglary as the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a theft or other felony crime. A structure is defined as a home, apartment, barn, house trailer, offi ..read more

Construction projects require adequate materials, excellent design and building skills, and strong knowledge of tools. They also require good communication skills. Clients can be difficult to deal with. Even if you have a solid contract in place, you could still get into disputes with clients who think they know what they’re doing. Some clients are demanding because that’s just their personality. Others are demanding because they feel pressure from personal or financial factors. n any case, as the contractor, you are the one who has to manage the situation and keep the client happy. Here are s ..read more

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a game-changer in many industries in the past few years. Many companies have been relying on ChatGPT and other tools to write articles, automate tasks, and simplify everyday mundane activities. The capabilities of these tools include increased efficiency, innovative design solutions, and the potential to predict future trends in the architectural industry. While the changes are revolutionary, there are challenges and limitations. Architects need to keep in mind that AI’s primary role is to augment their capabilities, not replace them. While it’s perfectly ..read more

Under Florida Statutes Section 812.014, theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. It all depends on the value of the stolen property. In fact, a person who steals $100,000 or more can face first-degree felony charges. These crimes are generally punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. What this means is that if you are convicted of a theft crime, there’s a lot at stake. It’s not a simple crime that you can just brush off as if nothing happened. A theft crime can follow you for the rest of your life. Because of this, you need to protect yourself with a solid ..read more

In the construction field, there are always opportunities for issues to arise. This is especially true with larger projects that have a lot of money involved. One issue that a contractor may have to deal with is a stop-work order. As the name implies, a stop-work order requires the receiver to immediately stop working on a project, per Florida law. Regardless of the reason, it is crucial that the contractor stops work or else they could be harshly penalized or even become the target of a lawsuit. In fact, conducting any business operations after receiving a stop-work order is a third-degree fe ..read more

Not everyone can get a contractor’s license. You need to display a lot of knowledge about the industry. But even once you get your license, you need to work hard to keep it. As long as you follow the laws and stay out of trouble, you should be fine. However, many contractors get into trouble for various reasons. One wrong move can lead to license suspension or revocation. Getting a contractor’s license is a huge responsibility. Make sure you follow the laws. Here’s what you need to know. What the Law Says Under Florida Statutes Section 469.009, a contractor’s license may be suspended or revoke ..read more