How to Properly Fill Out and Use the Unconditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment Form Used in California Construction
This is the fourth article in a series of four articles discussing how to properly fill out the four California construction releases described in California Civil Code 8132 – 8138. Let me start by noting that in addition to practicing construction law for more than 35 years, I chaired the committee of California construction attorneys […]
How to Properly Fill Out and Use the Conditional Waiver and Release on Final Payment Form Used in California Construction
This is the third article in a series of four articles discussing how to properly fill out the four California construction releases described in California Civil Code 8132 – 8138. Let me start by noting that in addition to practicing construction law for more than 35 years, I chaired the committee of California construction attorneys […]
How to Properly Fill Out and Use the Unconditional Waiver and Release on Progress Payment Form Used in California Construction
This is the Second article in a series of four articles discussing how to properly fill out the four California construction releases described in California Civil Code 8132 – 8138. Let me start by noting that in addition to practicing construction law for more than 35 years, I chaired the committee of California construction attorneys […]
How to Properly Fill Out and Use the Conditional Waiver and Release on Progress Payment Form Used in California Construction
This is the first article in a series of four articles discussing how to properly fill out the four California construction releases described in California Civil Code 8132 – 8138. Let me start by noting that in addition to practicing construction law for more than 35 years, I chaired the committee of California construction attorneys […]
New Legislation Requires Changes to your California Home Improvement Contract for 2026
California Business and Professions Code 7159, first enacted in 2004, was intended as a consumer protection measure to protect homeowners hiring contractors for home improvement work. The legislation sought to meet this laudable goal by dictating the terms to be used in home improvement contracts. covering everything from mandatory contractual language, lists of documents to […]
California’s New Private Works Change Order Fair Payment Act
Beginning on January 1, 2026, Civil Code sections 8850 and 8851 are added to the California Civil Code. These new Civil Code sections, known as the “Private Works Change Order Fair Payment Act,” provide procedures for contractors and subcontractors to follow in dealing with disputed change orders on private works construction projects under contracts entered […]
Protecting Yourself From Building Materials Price Increases in Construction Due to Tariffs – Three Options
With the looming possibility of tariffs causing sudden and significant increases in the prices of building materials within the construction industry, contractors, subcontractors and others who contract to perform construction work can suffer significant losses. This is particularly true when the prices they must pay for materials rise significantly between the time they sign a […]
Defeating the Ten-Year Statute of Repose For Latent Construction Defects
It is an all-too-common scenario in California construction: Nine and a half years after completion of a major California construction project, immediately before the 10-year “statute of repose” for suing on “latent” construction defects expires, a lawsuit claiming damages for “recently discovered” latent construction defects is filed. The property owner sues the contractor for the alleged defects. The direct contractor sues all its subcontractors for indemnity and defense. The attorneys spontaneously generate. Experts proliferate. Claimed defects are extrapolated. Four or five years later, after a few dozen attorneys earn a small fortune in fees, the insurance companies make payments. Attorneys collect more fees. The owners take what remains. They repair nothing… and buy vacation homes.
