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Litigation-I Win, You Lose vs. Mediation-Win/Win

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  Litigation is a zero-sum game.  It destroys relationships and fosters enmity between the parties.  Parties rarely walk away happy.  Even if they win, the expense of litigation is enormous, and collecting on judgments is difficult. Disputes ultimately resolve, but the focus on winning at any cost can lead to prolonged legal battles.  Living with a lawsuit causes ongoing stress, which can distract you from your business and even have an effect on your health. In a courtroom, the final decision lies with a judge or jury who may not fully grasp the complexities of the case. Parties relinquish control over the outcome, potentially leaving them dissatisfied with the final judgment. Mediation has the opposite effect.   Rather than polarizing people, it enables the parties to attack the issues and not each other.     The process promotes open communication, collaboration and problem-solving, which enables parties to actively participate in crafting ...
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What to Do When Subcontractors and Suppliers Ask the Owner for Payment

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When owners discover that their contractor has not paid subcontractors and suppliers, anxiety immediately sets in.  Contractors who are not adept at running their businesses end up with cash flow problems and operate on credit.  The situation then catches up with them and they stop making payments.  Suddenly the owner finds himself being contacted by subcontractors and suppliers who are demanding payment.  The law in Massachusetts is clear; a subcontractor or supplier can only collect against an owner if it records a properly perfected mechanic’s lien.  Then he can only expect payment to the extent that money is owed to the contractor at the time the lien is filed.  That said, the owner has the right to finish the job.  If there are no funds left, the subcontractor or supplier can only go after the general contractor for payment. Mechanic’s liens are complicated.  They consist of two documents: a Notice of Contract and Statement of Acc...
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How to Handle Micro-Managing Homeowners

I assume that some of the contractors out there are already nodding their heads.  The Internet has done a lot of good in the world, but in certain ways, it has not benefited home remodelers.  The access to information allows anyone to research products and methods in construction, and unfortunately, a certain percentage of the public concludes that they have developed a level of expertise that trumps that of their contractor's. I have heard numerous complaints from home improvement contractors who now deal with homeowners who want to buy their own materials (they can get a better deal, they want something unique), have their contractors use different methods, or finish a task within an unreasonable amount of time. I am sure that the customers mean well, but interference from their clients can be a real problem for contractors and at its worst, derail a project or result in litigation. How can a construction professional avoid getting stuck with micro-managing (al...
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Safety Checklist for Homeowners

In Massachusetts, homeowners are not held responsible for complying with safety regulations in construction.  They can sandblast paint that may contain lead, walk on their roofs without protection and operate in blissful ignorance of the laws regarding safety.  If homeowners hire contractors who do not follow safety rules, they are not responsible for that either.  The risk of noncompliance falls on the contractor.  If a homeowner creates an unsafe condition, of course he/she may be liable if someone gets hurt, but the homeowner does not have to police the contractor.  In fact, since many safety regulations make the cost of doing a job more expensive, there is an incentive for homeowners to hire contractors who do not follow the rules!  Today my friend and colleague, Mark Paskell posted a story about a roofer in Connecticut who died after falling off a roof   http://www.thecontractorcoachingpartnership.com/Blog-Contractor-Coaching--Construction-Busines...
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