With so many parties involved in construction, from engineers to contractors to land owners and construction companies, there are also many opportunities for disputes to arise. There may be a breach of contract, land disputes, disagreements about the scope of work, and more. And in a state where about half of the land (including a large part of the city of Tulsa) falls under Native American tribal jurisdiction, there are unique laws that may affect your construction or real estate transactions in Oklahoma.
When you want your construction or real estate endeavors to go smoothly, or if you have already run into a dispute, you need a cost-effective solution that will protect your bottom line. The team at Norwood Law, with comprehensive service and particular expertise in Oklahoma construction law, will help avoid risks and efficiently resolve any disputes that arise.
Types of Construction Lawsuits
With a decade of experience as in-house legal counsel for the largest construction company in Oklahoma, Norwood Law attorney Todd Maxwell understands the specific needs and common disputes in Tulsa construction. Norwood Law provides expert representation for many types of construction lawsuits and disputes and real estate litigation, including:
- Boundary disputes: These include issues with the location of the property line, fences, trees, and other boundaries to a property.
- Breach of contract disputes: If one party fails to perform all duties or work outlined in the contract, resulting in negligent work or other damages, the affected party can sue.
- Owner/contractor/subcontractor disputes: These may include disputes over the scope of the work, problems with plans and specifications, change orders, and project access.
- Condominium association and member disputes: Disputes may be the result of HOA or condominium association over-regulation, failure to comply with association rules, or other member disputes.
- General contractor/property owner disputes: Like a breach of contract dispute, these may involve issues with payment, work performed, or negligence.
- Liens and collections: These may involve mechanical liens, contractor liens, and handling situations where you or your client go to collections.
- Eminent domain issues: Property issues may include disputes over compensation, over the intended use of the land, and landowner rights.
- Building defect or workmanship disputes: Can involve determining liability for construction defects, resolving disputes about poor workmanship and building damages, and other defects.
- Mortgage foreclosures: Includes disputes regarding mortgage rates, foreclosure and eviction on construction properties.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Preparing Construction and Real Estate Contracts and Other Transactional Work
Perhaps the best way to avoid costly construction and real estate disputes in Oklahoma is to prepare strong, thorough contracts and documents in the early stages of construction and real estate work. To help your business protect the bottom line and avoid future risk and liability, Norwood Law provides an array of transactional work to the real estate market and construction industry, including:
- Closing documents for real estate transactions: This includes reviewing closing documents, title transfers, disclosures, and more.
- Tribal land disputes: These include many Indian law and construction disputes, including the effect of tribal sovereignty on land, risk management, construction financing, and more. As a member of the Cherokee Nation, attorney Todd Maxwell has the experience to understand and handle land disputes.
- Buying and selling, including purchase and sale negotiations: We offer legal assistance at every step of the buying or selling process.
- Deeds: These include warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and other real estate deeds.
- Contracts for deeds: These include situations where there is an agreement for purchasing property without going through a mortgage lender.
- Letters of intent: Though not necessarily a legally binding agreement, the letter of intent is important for establishing price and other expectations in a commercial transaction.
- Deeds of trust and mortgages: These include transactional work for deeds where the title holder and lien is a trustee.
- Commercial and residential leases: Leases include work with the lease agreement, negotiation, and more.
- Warranty deeds: We can help if you need to draw up a warranty deed, or we can provide advice on whether or not a warranty deed is appropriate for your real estate transaction.
- Construction contracts: Transactional work includes contract preparation, negotiation, and execution for construction companies and projects.
- Construction or equipment liens: These include agreements for equipment lessors and mechanic’s liens for labor or materials.
- Commercial landlord and tenant transactions and disputes: These cover commercial and landlord agreements and transactions from the lease agreement to use of the property, utilities and other costs, and other points of use and negotiation.
- Financing and refinancing: There is transactional work involved in securing financing for a construction loan and refinancing.
- Franchise agreements and transactions: These include work to negotiate and settle franchise agreements, vendor agreements, and other required documentation.
Cost-Effective Resolutions: How a Construction Lawyer Can Help Resolve Your Dispute Outside the Courtroom
Taking a construction or real estate dispute to court can add time and cost to an already stressful situation. That’s why we at Norwood Law offer another solution: alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Construction ADR provides methods for your company and involved parties to resolve your differences as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible, outside of the courtroom. ADR includes methods like construction mediation, arbitration, and negotiation. The expert attorneys at Norwood Law can help determine the best alternative for your specific needs and circumstances.
Norwood Law’s mediators have experience you can count on to achieve the best possible outcome. They understand the construction industry from the perspective of builders, subcontractors, and owners, allowing them to understand the needs of each party and provide innovative solutions to any construction problem.
Get a Tulsa Construction Attorney on Your Side
Whether you are at the beginning of the construction process or you are facing a legal dispute, the experienced Tulsa construction attorneys at Norwood Law can help. Our team of mediators and lawyers understand the complexities of the construction industry and real estate markets in Oklahoma and will work to represent you and resolve any disputes quickly and cost effectively.
Contact Norwood Law today for a free consultation.