The Construction Counselor

With the rise in construction projects that are audited, it is important for owners, general contractors and subcontractors of all tiers to understand both the basics and specific concepts regarding construction audits and seek legal counsel as needed.

Effective July 1, 2022, Iowa added an alternative project delivery method to the options available to Iowa public entities–construction manager at risk, also known as CM at risk and CMAR. 

On June 17, 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court rendered a decision in the Borst Brothers Const. v. Finance of America case involving a mechanic’s lien, which addressed one aspect of the pre-lien notice requirement for Iowa subcontractors on residential projects.

Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are often part of the discussions my clients have surrounding a potential construction or real estate project to protect the confidential information regarding the project and proprietary information of the parties.

In the last several months, I have heard from many homebuilders and general contractor clients regarding the substantial increases in the cost of lumber and other materials; HBA Iowa reports about an 80 percent increase in lumber costs since mid-April.

On February 7, 2020, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a final decision in Standard Water v. Jones, a long-standing residential mechanic’s lien case stemming back to a 2013 mechanic’s lien.

On February 14, 2020, the Iowa Supreme Court issued decisions in three companion cases involving residential contractor, 33 Carpenters Construction, affirming the Court of Appeals’ decisions against such contractor.