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Legal Counsel for General Contractors

Contract structuring, risk management, entity formation, and growth advisory for general contractors and building companies.

Overview

General contractors sit at the center of complex multi-party projects, managing relationships with owners, architects, subcontractors, and suppliers while bearing significant risk. Lawyers provide counsel grounded in the realities of running a construction company — tight margins, change order battles, payment timing, and the constant pressure to perform on time and on budget. The team helps you build contracts that protect your interests, structure your business for growth, and navigate the legal complexities of the construction industry.

How We Help

Contract Structuring

Drafting and negotiating prime contracts, subcontract agreements, joint venture arrangements, and design-build contracts that allocate risk appropriately.

Entity & Risk Management

Structuring your general contracting business to protect personal assets, manage project-specific liability, and optimize tax treatment.

Employment & Workforce

Managing employee and subcontractor relationships, prevailing wage compliance, and workforce policies for construction operations.

Business Transactions

Advising on acquisitions of other construction companies, succession planning, joint ventures, and expansion strategies.

Clients We Serve

  • Residential home builders
  • Commercial general contractors
  • Design-build firms
  • Construction management companies
  • Multi-family and mixed-use developers

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Common Questions

What contract terms are most important for general contractors?

The most critical terms are scope of work definitions, change order procedures, payment timing and retainage, indemnification and insurance requirements, and clear escalation provisions. Getting these right on the front end prevents most problems during construction.

Should my construction company be an LLC or S-Corp?

Both provide liability protection, but the tax implications differ significantly. S-Corps can reduce self-employment tax for profitable companies, while LLCs offer more flexibility. The right answer depends on your revenue level, profit margins, and ownership structure.

How do I protect myself when bidding on large projects?

Key protections include careful scope definition in your bid, appropriate contingency allowances, bonding capacity management, and contract terms that address unforeseen conditions, delays, and owner-directed changes. Your lawyer can help build these protections into your standard bidding process.

What should I consider when buying another construction company?

Evaluate the backlog quality, customer relationships, workforce retention, equipment condition, bonding capacity, safety record, and any pending claims or litigation. Construction company acquisitions require industry-specific due diligence that goes beyond standard business valuations.

Ready to Get Started?

Schedule a consultation to discuss your general contractors & builders business needs.