The relationship between a builder or company, and their clients is often a tricky one, and this is complicated further by the commonality of minor issues and inadequacies when it comes to their work. Whether stemming from a badly done job, triggered by a minor issue blown out of proportion, or even relating to serious misconduct, there are many reasons an argument may have occurred, and in an ideal world, all roads should lead back to resolving matters in a civil manner. Though hardly ever that simple, Simon Levy are on-hand to provide specialist consultancy assistance, conscious of your needs, whether you’re on the receiving end of a badly botched job, or you’re defending the legitimacy and quality of your building work. Read ahead for an informative and exhaustive guide.
In Simple Terms
In the most basic of terms,
construction disputes usually occur because of a disagreement between two parties - often with a contract concerned. The issue may stem from individual behaviour, an unwillingness to follow contractually significant terms, or all manner of niche problems that can’t be clarified in a civil manner. It’s not difficult to determine how issues can arise, as not every construction project runs to plan, finishes on time or sticks to the originally assigned budget. Standards of workmanship or the costs of works may be disputed, and when this happens, one party may place blame on the other. Our experienced and legally competent construction dispute consultants at Simon Levy Associates can assist you with any dispute resolution, as we’ve dealt with assorted inter-party issues in the past, and continue to do so.
Preparing And Preventing
Disputes may be an accepted part of working in construction for some, but it certainly doesn’t have to be that way, especially if you put preventative measures in place to stop them occurring. Preparing for any eventuality, there are at least some precautions to establish. Using clear language in contracts and leaving little room for misunderstanding is perhaps one of the most significant ways to prevent complications at a later date. This sets out expectations and means that the window for potential confusion is significantly narrower. Guarantee there is a risk management strategy in place, hone communication and remain receptive to any queries - whether you’re the driving force behind a large project, or you’re responsible for sourcing a builder.
Common Grievances
When disputes do occur, they can often be fit into one of a few categories, from contractors neglecting responsibilities, to builders completing poor quality work. Other frequent talking points include delayed payments, stalled or poor communication and even false charges in some instances. Whatever the issue may be, there’s more than one way to resolve it, and often this can be done without going down the legal route. Only sometimes will a disagreement escalate to the point of multiple parties settling on a legal resolution, and before this becomes necessary, seeking professional help may save time and expense. Rest assured that we’ll do all we can to help your case and get things back on track. For more information, get in touch and speak to one of our helpful construction consultants.
Resolving A Dispute
Simon Levy’s dispute resolution service is most effective at the early stages of a disagreement, at which point matters haven’t escalated so much that the matter can no longer be breached without legal assistance. Essentially, seeking expert advice from a construction dispute consultant in the early stages of your conflict makes it more likely a fair resolution will be reached without going to court. We recognise the importance of client and contractor relationships, and endeavour to provide a steadfast construction dispute service to assist you in terms of risk management and dispute avoidance. We’re always keen to explore all methods of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), and do so with the backing of experienced professionals. With decades in the construction industry, we’re able to see both sides of any story.
Specialist Assistance
Specialists in our field, there are plenty of perks to seeking out our construction dispute consultants as a matter of urgency. Construction consultants at Simon Levy Associates are proud members of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and the Academy of Experts, so we’re specialists in the truest sense of the word. Among the palpable benefits of working with us are:
Prevent Lengthy Legal Processes
Involvement in a dispute that has escalated (and resulted in legal matters) isn’t ideal for anyone, and this doesn’t only act as an inconvenience to your personal life - it can delay a project too, or even result in the altogether cancellation or collapse of ongoing works. Our construction claims consultants work to prevent matters from escalating unnecessarily, meaning no lengthy legal back-and-forths, and no disruptions from your schedule. We look to get to the very core of issues as quickly as possible - for your peace of mind.
Save On Expenses
Quite often, legal expenses can cost an arm and a leg, and alongside the costs of the contractors you hired originally, the combined fee may increase by thousands. Ideally, we can find a resolution to dispute all who are involved, and finalise matters without the need for either party to take a financial hit. Of course, this is situational, and we’ll strive for an outcome that suits you primarily. Because we can potentially resolve issues quickly, protect you against false claims and reach an amicable agreement between all parties efficiently, we could certainly help you save.
Honesty And Clarity
We'll always be up front about the nature of your dispute and your chances of benefiting from either making a claim or disputing one. Furthermore, we’ll never press ahead with anything that would result in you losing out, with complete transparency in regards to your issue. Aside from our years of experience, credentials and commitment to securing the best outcomes for our clients, you can trust our construction resolution consultants.
What We Do
With many strings to our bow, at Simon Levy Associates we can assist with
assorted property construction and planning matters. As well as defect diagnosis, we excel when it comes to:
● Party Wall Matters
● Full Building And Structural Surveys
● Expert Witnesses
● Insurance Claims
● Dilapidations
● Domestic Building Work
● Projects
Simon Levy: Construction Claim Consultants And Property Damage Experts
At Simon Levy Associates, not only can we assist with construction disputes and routine disagreements, but we offer a wide range of services for both domestic and commercial projects, regardless of scale, cost and size. Our knowledge and experience concerning the highly-complex matter of building surveying has allowed us to build up a diverse set of skills. Able to identify and offer advice on a variety of problems, our construction surveyors can carry out a broad range of work including but not limited to: Valuations for individuals, architectural surveys, defect identification and party wall awards.
Whatever the building project is, there’s always a risk that you could end up being part of a disagreement, and we can give expert construction dispute advice - on the best way to deal with your situation. Whether you require a construction dispute consultant in Watford, Borehamwood or Barnet, rest assured that we’re on-hand to assist in whichever way you require.
Contact today for further assistance, obtain a quote, or simply have your questions answered.
