Construction disputes can happen for many different reasons. There could be delays that the construction company can’t avoid. There may be allegations of latent or patent defects with the construction work itself. Every situation is unique.
However, looking at the statistics as a whole can give you an idea of why these disputes tend to happen. According to one report, the top reason for disputes is simply “a failure to understand and/or comply with contractual obligations.”
The importance of communication
The exact way that this manifests could be different from one situation to another. For instance, two parties may disagree about when the project is supposed to be finished or how much it was supposed to cost. There could be conflicts regarding exactly what materials or design elements are supposed to be used on the construction project.
But the overall issue is just a lack of communication between the two parties. For instance, a client who continues to change their mind may expect something very different than what they get when the job wraps up. The contractor may argue that they simply followed the instructions, and the client changed their mind so often that they forgot exactly what they asked for in that design.
This also shows why it’s so important to document everything. For contractors, miscommunication is always a risk, and it can lead to serious disputes. But documentation helps them show that they were following the instructions they were given, even if that doesn’t necessarily line up with what the client expected.
These types of disputes can become very complex, so those involved must understand their legal options.