Resolving Disputes
Welcome
Hello, and welcome. This is Super Structures General Contractors — a national general contractor headquartered in Powhatan, Virginia — here to help you and your clients build something that lasts. We're glad you're with us, and we look forward to connecting with you.
Let me tell you why Resolving Disputes pays off down the road. Here's the big idea to walk away with: Disputes follow a ladder — negotiate, mediate, arbitrate, litigate — and your contract's venue, attorney-fee, and arbitration clauses set the stakes; prevention through clear contracts and documentation beats all of them. Nail it, and it pays you back on every job you ever run.
Most construction disputes are about money and time. How you resolve them is set by the contract — read it before trouble starts.
The ladder (cheapest to most expensive)
- Negotiation — direct, documented; most disputes should end here.
- Mediation — a neutral helps both sides settle; non-binding, fast, confidential.
- Arbitration — a private judge issues a binding decision; faster/quieter than court but hard to appeal (often AAA Construction Rules).
- Litigation — public court; slow and costly, but full appeal rights.
Clauses that change the math
- Venue / governing law — which state's law and courthouse (matters a lot if you work out of state).
- Attorney-fees ("prevailing party") — winner's legal fees get paid by the loser; raises the stakes both ways.
- Notice & claim deadlines — again, miss them and you can lose.
- Mandatory arbitration — you may have waived your right to a jury without realizing it.
The cheapest dispute is the one you prevent with a clear contract, good documentation, and early communication.
Takeaway: Disputes follow a ladder — negotiate, mediate, arbitrate, litigate — and your contract's venue, attorney-fee, and arbitration clauses set the stakes; prevention through clear contracts and documentation beats all of them.
Educational overview — not legal advice. Construction law varies by state and by contract; consult a licensed construction attorney for your situation.