Austin Construction And Real Estate Law Blog

As a contractor or developer, you deal with numerous entities in a single project. You may rely on subcontractors, accountants and laborers, all of whom are looking out for their own bottom lines. If you are committed to running an honest, reputable business, you may assume others in your industry feel the same way. Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to take the moral high road to make a buck.

Fraud in the construction industry seems to be on the rise, and you may come in contact with any number of people who have slick schemes to rip you off before you realize it is happening. Knowing some of the most common fraudulent practices in construction may help you avoid becoming a victim.

As a Texas property owner, you understand the importance of knowing exactly where the property boundaries lie and any potential complications that could affect your preferred use of the land. One of these complications could include an easement on your property. If there is one, it is in your best interests to know what it means and how it will affect you.

An easement allows another party to use the property in a certain way, but it does not allow for any possessory rights. This means that another person could access your privately owned property, even if you do not want them to or they have no ownership stake in the land. There are various types of easements, and you may find it beneficial to know how to shield your property rights and interests.

Trees are among the more majestic parts of nature. Providing shade and beauty, trees are often an integral part of landscaping, on both commercial property and private residences. Austin and other areas of Texas continue to debate ordinances protecting trees. Property owners who are unfamiliar with the tree regulations may find themselves in trouble with local officials who work to protect trees of certain sizes and species.

However, what happens when a neighbor's tree is a danger or nuisance to you and your property? You may have repeatedly asked your neighbor to prune or even remove a troublesome tree, but your neighbor has not complied. Regardless of tree protection ordinances, you do have certain rights when your neighbor's tree causes or threatens to cause damage to your property.

You take pride in your work, and that includes completing jobs on time and within budget as often as possible. Your construction company builds homes where people will raise their families, celebrate victories and come together to comfort one another. Homes are among the most expensive investments people can make, and they understandably want the job done right.

When your company faces accusations of construction defects, you certainly want to defend your reputation. Construction defects encompass a wide variety of problems from various stages during the project. If you are dealing with a homeowner's claims that your company did poor work, you will want to seek legal assistance from someone who is knowledgeable in construction law and defects.