Jacksonville Construction Law Attorneys

The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to wreak havoc on commercial as well as residential construction projects in North Florida with the limited end in sight.  Construction project delays and even suspensions are being brought about by a partial/complete shutdown of the permitting/inspection departments in Duval County. The COVID-19 outbreak is causing local construction contractors, developers, and even material supplies to face these and other challenges. According to interviews conducted with local contractors, inspections have almost come to a standstill and many ongoing projects are on hold until inspections can be completed causing construction firms to consider strategies to help mitigate the impact and decrease their losses. As such, construction firms may need to seek the advice and counsel of a qualified and experienced construction law attorney in Jacksonville Florida for a thorough contract review of the force majeure provisions. These are usually incorporated in construction contracts to protect contractors and provide relief in circumstances that are considered to be “legal acts of god” as this pandemic certainly is. These types of clauses may allow contractors to obtain limited time extensions on project completions and possibly even recover additional costs or be able to increase their total payment terms. Construction law attorneys are well versed in handling these types of issues brought about by a global pandemic, the magnitude of which has never been seen before.

Inspections and Permit Requirements

The Duval County Building Inspection Divisions began “appointment only services” recently and even new inspections will be performed with limitations. Additionally, the Building Inspection Division now requires all permit applications submitted electronically and an Electronic Plan Review (EPR) for all permit types both commercial and residential. Contractors are also required to create a Design Professional Profile for all online submissions complete with digital signatures that comply with Florida Statutes of architects and engineers. A qualified construction law attorney will be familiar with these and all state statutes governing construction firms.

Jacksonville Construction Law Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Interests

At Heekin Law, P.A., Geoffrey Heekin, Ariel Spires, and Chelsey Pankratz understand the many legal issues that have arisen during the recent pandemic. We know the best way to protect a construction firm or different entity involved in the construction industry begins with the drafting of contracts and assisting with other legal matters. We also know it is not always possible to have been involved in the original contract drafting and documentation, but we are always happy to review contracts, any documentation, or troubleshoot any business issue in order to minimize risk and future conflicts. Safeguarding your business has been our chief concern for over 25 years. Our longstanding relationships with the construction businesses we serve are the foundation of our legal practice. We act as in-house counsel to many firms replacing the expense of lawyers on their payroll, that go unutilized until an issue arises. Heekin Law, P.A. is a full-service commercial law firm adept in all aspects of construction and business law. We pride ourselves on providing cost-effective legal assistance in matters ranging from business formations, contract drafting, and negotiation, to advice on avoiding legal disputes and commercial litigation. Give us a call at 904-355-7000 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We have online or in-person consultations available. Visit our website @ jax-law.com for a complete list of our legal services and credentials.