Construction Disputes · Kalispell, Montana
When the build goes bad,
somebody has to
answer for it.
A construction dispute rarely has an easy villain. Homeowners get stuck with defects a contractor won't fix. Contractors get stiffed by clients who never intended to pay in full. We represent both sides, because knowing how the other side thinks is what wins these cases.
What we handle
Contractors and homeowners.
Construction defects
Water intrusion, structural problems, code violations and work that doesn't meet the contract. We pursue defect claims for owners and defend contractors against claims that don't hold up.
Payment & lien disputes
Filing, enforcing and fighting construction liens under Montana law for contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and owners.
Breach of contract: contractor side
Unpaid draws, change orders the owner won't honor, and clients who stop paying at the finish line.
Breach of contract: homeowner side
Abandoned jobs, blown budgets, missed deadlines and contractors who took the deposit and disappeared.
How we work
We know how
the other side thinks.
Start with the paper
The contract, change orders, invoices, photos and messages. Most construction cases are won or lost on the documents.
Get the facts on site
Inspections and qualified experts, so the defect or the work performed is established, not argued.
Resolve it or try it
Negotiation or mediation when that gets you paid or gets the work fixed. Trial when it won't.
Do you represent contractors or homeowners?
Both, though never on opposite sides of the same dispute. Working both sides of construction cases is how we know where each side's case is strong and where it cracks.
My contractor won't fix defects in my home. What should I do first?
Put your concerns in writing, keep every contract, change order, invoice, photo and message, and don't let anyone start repairs that would cover up the problem before it is documented. Then talk to a lawyer about your options.
The owner stopped paying before the job was done. Can I file a lien?
Often, yes. Montana construction liens have strict notice and filing deadlines, so the timing matters as much as the amount. Call early.
Get your side of the
build in front of a lawyer.
Bring the contract and whatever paperwork you have. We'll tell you where you stand.