Construction Contracts: Drafting, Negotiation, and Review
At Southron Firm, our experienced attorneys in Tampa draft, review, negotiate, and litigate construction contracts for both residential and commercial projects.
Types of construction contracts we work with include:
- Cost Plus Contracts
- Guaranteed Maximum Price Contracts
- Lump Sum Contracts
- Unit Price Contracts
- Time and Materials Contracts
- Specialty Construction Contracts
Our attorneys have extensive experience handling contracts for construction work and resolving related disputes across Tampa. We handle the entire process from drafting to negotiation and litigation with a focus on protecting your investment and avoiding costly legal issues.
Contact our trusted Tampa construction contract attorney near you for expert legal guidance.
Why are Construction Contracts Important?
A construction contract clearly defines the scope of work, payment terms, timelines, and responsibilities for all parties involved. Without a written contract, projects face risks such as cost overruns, delays, payment disputes, and legal conflicts.
Properly drafted contracts for construction work:
- Prevent confusion about project scope and timelines
- Secure your payments with clear terms
- Ensure you have legal options if the contract is broken
- Minimize costly disputes and lawsuits
At Southron Firm, we draft construction contracts that are clear, enforceable, and tailored to your project’s needs. Our Tampa attorneys protect your construction projects from common pitfalls, legal risk, and financial exposure.
Schedule a construction contract review today with our expert attorneys.
Types of Construction Contracts
Our Tampa attorneys draft, review, negotiate, and litigate construction contracts for both residential and commercial projects. Understanding the different types of construction contracts is essential for managing risks and expectations. Below are the types of contracts we handle.
Cost Plus Construction Contracts
A cost plus construction contract reimburses the contractor for actual project costs, plus an agreed-upon fee or percentage as profit. This contract type is flexible and commonly used when the full scope of work is uncertain at the start.
Cost plus contracts are ideal for projects like custom homes or renovations, where plans may evolve during construction.
Under a cost plus model, the contractor provides detailed records of all expenses. The client then reimburses those costs in addition to the pre-agreed fee.
Advantages:
- Flexible for changing project requirements
- Encourages quality work since costs are covered
- Detailed cost visibility for clients
Disadvantages:
- Total cost is less predictable
- Potential for budget overruns if not carefully managed
- Requires thorough record-keeping
Our attorneys successfully draft and negotiate cost plus construction contracts across Tampa that protect our clients’ budgets, timelines, and legal interests.
Contact us to draft or review your cost plus construction contract.
Guaranteed Maximum Price Construction Contracts
A Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) contract sets a maximum project cost that cannot be exceeded. The contractor is paid for actual costs plus a fee—but cannot exceed the agreed maximum price unless the scope changes.
Guaranteed maximum price construction contracts are best for commercial or large-scale projects where the scope is well-defined and cost control is a top priority.
The contractor must carefully manage expenses to stay under the cap. If the contractor exceeds the maximum price, they are responsible for covering the excess costs. If the final cost is less than the cap, the savings may go to the owner or be shared, depending on the contract terms.
Advantages:
- Total project cost is capped for owners
- Encourages contractors to manage costs
- Reduces the risk of unknown expenses
Disadvantages:
- Requires detailed project planning upfront
- Less flexible if changes are needed later
- May encourage conservative cost estimates from contractors
Our Tampa attorneys structure guaranteed maximum price construction contracts to protect your financial interests, define clear cost ceilings, and minimize the risk of disputes.
Reach out to draft or review your guaranteed maximum price construction contract.
Lump Sum Construction Contract
A lump sum construction contract, also called a fixed-price contract, sets one total price for the entire construction project. The contractor agrees to complete the work for this set amount, regardless of actual costs.
Lump sum construction contracts are commonly used when the project scope and plans are clearly defined from the start.
Under this contract, the contractor assumes most of the financial risk. If costs exceed the lump sum, the contractor covers the difference. This makes budgeting easier for the client, but any changes or unforeseen conditions often require contract amendments.
Advantages:
- Predictable total cost for clients
- Simple payment structure
- Encourages contractor efficiency
Disadvantages:
- Less flexibility for project changes
- Potential for disputes if scope is unclear
- Contractors may include contingency to cover risks, increasing price
Using a construction contract attorney protects you from unexpected costs or disputes if the project goes over budget.
Contact us to draft or review your lump sum contract for construction work.
Unit Price Construction Contracts
A unit price construction contract breaks down the project into specific units of work, with a set price assigned to each unit. The total cost varies depending on the actual quantity of units completed.
This contract type is often used when the exact scope or quantity of work is unknown at the start, such as in road construction or large infrastructure projects.
Under a unit price construction contract, the contractor is paid based on measured quantities multiplied by the agreed unit prices.
Advantages:
- Flexible for projects with uncertain quantities
- Easy to adjust payments based on actual work done
- Encourages accurate measurement and documentation
Disadvantages:
- Final cost can vary and be unpredictable
- Requires detailed tracking and measurement of work
- Potential disputes over quantity assessments
Our trusted Tampa attorneys draft construction contracts that protect your interests and minimize potential disputes related to quantities and payments.
Reach out to draft or review your unit price contract.
Time and Materials Construction Contracts
A time and materials construction contract (T&M) pays the contractor based on actual labor hours worked plus the cost of materials used. This contract type includes agreed-upon rates for labor and materials but does not set a fixed total price.
Time and materials contracts are often used when project scope is uncertain or likely to change, such as emergency repairs or ongoing maintenance work.
Under this contract, the contractor tracks and invoices labor hours and material costs as the project progresses.
Advantages:
- Flexible for projects with changing or undefined scope
- Allows work to begin quickly without full project details
- Transparent billing based on actual work and materials
Disadvantages:
- Total cost can be unpredictable
- Requires close oversight to control costs
- Potential for disputes over labor hours or material pricing
Our attorneys have extensive experience drafting and negotiating time and materials contracts, securing successful results across Tampa while protecting client interests.
Contact us to draft or review your time and material contract for construction work.
Specialty Construction Contracts
At Southron Firm, we draft, review, and negotiate a variety of specialty contracts for construction work tailored to specific project needs.
These include:
- Design Build Construction Contracts
- Custom Home Construction Contracts
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- New Home Construction Contracts
- Residential Construction Contracts
Our Tampa attorneys ensure every contract is detailed, enforceable, and aligned with your project goals. We maintain clear, ongoing communication throughout the process to keep you informed and ensure the contract meets your expectations.
Schedule a consultation with our Tampa construction contract attorney near you to discuss your project and get personalized legal guidance.
Construction Contract Disputes
Disputes over construction contracts can lead to costly delays and legal battles if not handled properly.
At Southron Firm, our experienced construction litigation lawyers in Tampa aggressively advocate for clients in resolving complex disputes. We focus on protecting your interests and moving your project forward.
Common Construction Contract Disputes We Handle:
- Breach of construction contract
- Non-payment or delayed payment claims
- Project delays and scheduling conflicts
- Defective work or failure to meet specifications
- Disputes over change orders
Our construction contract dispute lawyer provides skilled legal counsel and strong advocacy. We work closely with our clients to enforce contract terms, resolve issues efficiently, and avoid unnecessary setbacks.
Contact our Tampa construction contract dispute lawyer and protect your project from costly delays and legal risks.
Contact Our Construction Contract Attorney
At Southron Firm, our attorneys draft, review, negotiate, and litigate contract agreements for construction work. We’re known in Tampa for our aggressive advocacy, strategic legal insight, and transparent communication throughout every phase of the construction process.
Whether you’re planning a new build or facing a contract dispute, we’re here to help. If you have questions about which type of contract is right for your project, or need legal guidance before signing, contact us today.
We’ll review your situation, explain your options clearly, and help you move forward with confidence.
Contact Us
- Call (813)773-5105
- Fill out our online contact form