When to Hire a Lawyer for Your Contracting Business

Two people with contractor license shaking hands at the office of a lawyer.

From time to time, you will need to consult a lawyer to make sure you conduct business properly. Being able to choose wisely could cut down on the money you spend. These tips outline a few scenarios in which you might expect to hire a lawyer for your contracting business.

Designing Contracts

When you first start doing work for clients under your new business, you will need them to sign a contract. Hiring a lawyer to review your contract language is often a good idea. Many people think of lawyers as simply determining what is legal and what isn’t. However, lawyers with experience in construction business contracts can help you look over your paperwork and answer the following questions:

You may not need a lawyer to give the go-ahead on every single contract you prepare. It is often worth the money to create a few boilerplate forms that you can fill out and use with clients years into the future.

Negotiating Terms

Some projects are quite easy to establish the role of your business, but others are more complex. Getting various aspects of the plan correct from the very beginning can save you a lot of time and money. When you are trying to manage a number of subcontractors, or you are considering a bigger job with a lot of money on the line, you might get a lawyer to negotiate the terms. Having someone with experience to go over the details and confirm that you are protecting your interests can ensure that your business thrives before and after the project is complete.

Liability

At some point in time, something in your business will go wrong. Whether a mistake or an accident turns into a nightmare depends on the kind of support you have. For example, you might have a situation at a job site that led to some damage for the owner and a subcontractor. You want to file a claim on insurance, and you’re not sure which insurance is most appropriate. You need to protect your business, but you also want to own up to your responsibilities. A lawyer could help you find the right balance between the two.

Preparing for the Future

Once you get your business set up and running, you might not need the services of a lawyer for months or even years. However, you want to have a lawyer you can call when the time comes. Keep in mind that most lawyers are fairly specialized. If you think you’ll need a variety of services, you might do well to look at larger firms. Not everyone needs to keep a lawyer on retainer. If you expect to use a lawyer’s services for contracts or negotiation, it might be worth the regular investment. That way, you will already have someone in your corner, if you encounter an unexpected situation.
Few people running a small business are eager to pay for a lawyer, but there are times when it makes a lot of sense. This is especially true in the early years, when you may not be sure how to secure the best jobs. To learn more about setting up your contracting business for success, visit us at CSLS today!