Get It In Writing: Why Written Change Orders Are Important

A recent Ohio case demonstrates the need for contractors, owners, and everyone else working on a construction project to make sure they get their change orders in writing. In the case in question, the plumbing contractor ABV entered into a contract with a homeowner to convert the home from using a septic system to running on the county sewer lines. On the very first day […]

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Eleventh District Court of Appeals Declares Remodeling is Not Construction under Home Construction Service Suppliers Act

On December 12, 2022, Ohio’s Eleventh District Court of Appeals ruled that the Home Construction Service Suppliers Act (“HCSSA”), an act that distinguishes home construction from other sales that fall under Ohio’s Consumer Sales Practices Act (“CSPA”). In general, the HCSSA and CSPA are similar, but the big difference lies in the penalty damages available to consumers under the CSPA. Under the CSPA, consumers who […]

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Issues Pertaining to Conditions Precedent to Arbitration Clauses in Ohio are Rightly Decided by Arbitrator, not Court.

Issues Pertaining to Conditions Precedent to Arbitration Clauses in Ohio are Rightly Decided by Arbitrator, not Court.

The 10th District Court of Appeals recently heard a case involving a dispute between a general contractor, subcontractor, and supplier. Michigan Timber & Truss, Inc. v. Summit Building Services, LLC, 2021-Ohio-3158. After the general contractor was brought into the case through an amended complaint, the general contractor moved to dismiss or stay the proceedings, in favor of arbitration, pursuant to R.C. 2711.02(C). The trial court, […]

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Ohio’s Prompt Payment Act Strengthened by Ninth District Court of Appeals

Ohio’s Prompt Payment Act Strengthened by Ninth District Court of Appeals

A recent case from Summit County further strengthened the attorney’s fees provision of Ohio’s Prompt Payment Act (R.C. 4113.61). The case involved a dispute surrounding the installation of helical piers for the foundation of a construction project for an Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority project. The dispute centered around what design was to be used, which determined how many and what safety factor was to be […]

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