Construction Law
From licensing to the final walkthrough, every stage of a construction project carries legal exposure worth protecting against.
Construction law covers the legal issues specific to building and contracting — from getting and keeping the right contractor license, to the contracts that govern a project, to disputes over payment, delay, or workmanship, to the regulatory codes every project must meet. Contractors and property owners face different risks at different stages of a project, and the legal exposure at each stage compounds if it isn’t addressed early. Fairchild & Dalrymple represents contractors, subcontractors, and property owners across Central Virginia through every phase of a construction project.
Schedule a ConsultationFour stages of construction risk
Contractor Licensing
Operating without the proper Virginia contractor license — or letting one lapse, or facing a disciplinary complaint — can halt a project, void payment rights, and expose a contractor to real financial and legal risk. Licensing requirements vary by the size and type of work performed, and the application and renewal process has specific documentation requirements that trip up even experienced contractors. Whether your license is in order, or a disciplinary matter needs a response, depends on the specifics of your situation.
Read more about Contractor LicensingConstruction Contracts
A construction contract has to account for risks that don’t come up in ordinary commercial agreements — delay, defective work, change orders, and payment disputes among owner, general contractor, and subcontractors. A contract that doesn’t clearly address these issues in advance leaves every party guessing when something goes wrong on-site. Whether you’re an owner, a general contractor, or a subcontractor, the protections you need depend on where you sit in the project.
Read more about Construction ContractsConstruction Disputes
Payment disputes, mechanic’s liens, and delay claims are some of the most common conflicts on a construction project, and how they’re resolved often depends on deadlines and procedural steps that are easy to miss under project pressure. Virginia law gives contractors and subcontractors specific tools — like mechanic’s liens — to secure payment, but those tools come with strict filing requirements. Whether you’re owed money or facing a claim, the right response depends on acting within the applicable deadlines.
Read more about Construction DisputesConstruction Compliance
Every construction project has to meet building codes, safety regulations, and permitting requirements that vary by locality and project type — and non-compliance can halt work, trigger fines, or create liability that surfaces long after the project is finished. Compliance requirements are frequently updated, and what applied to your last project may not fully apply to your next one. Staying ahead of these requirements protects both the project timeline and the people who work on it.
Read more about Construction ComplianceBuilt on industry experience
Fairchild & Dalrymple brings direct construction industry background to construction law matters, including firsthand experience in the industry before practicing law. We represent contractors, subcontractors, and property owners at every stage of a project — not just when a dispute arises — so legal exposure gets addressed before it becomes a costly problem.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a license to do contracting work in Virginia?
Virginia requires a contractor license for most work above a certain dollar threshold, with specific classifications depending on the type and scope of work performed. Operating without the required license can jeopardize your ability to collect payment for the work.
What should I do if I’m not getting paid for completed work?
Virginia law provides mechanic’s lien rights that can secure your right to payment, but these have strict filing deadlines that begin running from specific project milestones. Acting quickly preserves your options.
Who is responsible for delays on a construction project?
It depends on the cause of the delay and what the contract says about delay claims and extensions of time. Well-drafted contracts address this in advance; without that, responsibility often becomes a contested issue.
What happens if my project doesn’t meet local building codes?
Consequences can include stop-work orders, fines, or required corrective work, and in some cases can affect the property’s value or future sale. Addressing compliance issues early is almost always less costly than after the fact.