Either Independence Day or the Fourth of July, it’s often celebrated with fireworks, friends, and barbecue.  While you’re enjoying this weekend, you may find yourself discussing what makes the best barbecue: gas, charcoal, or wood; smoking or grilling; sauce and/or dry rub; sweet or spicy; and the like.  (Are you hungry yet?)

Most people have their own idea of what’s necessary for the best barbecue.  Combining ideas of what’s best is the recipe for a mouth-watering result or successful project.  Differing ideas of what’s best often leads to a dispute.  Resolving that dispute depends on what the recipe (the agreement or contract) required.

While barbecue recipes can be short and simple, contracts can be long and complicated.  Fundamentally, though, recipes are very much like contracts: what’s required, how much of each part/ingredient, in what order should they be assembled/added, when, and for how long?

Recipe for a Successful Construction Project

  • Purpose (end-user, goal, and/or need);
  • One each: owner, designer, and contractor (pre-mix (design-build) or mix later (design-bid-build));
  • Adequate Funding;
  • Dash of Legal Advice; and
  • A Fair Amount of Reasonableness.
Published On: June 28, 2017

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

  • An Unpredictable Case Teaches Hard Lessons | Contract Termination

Roads & Bridges | Contract Termination

September 9, 2024|

CONTRACT TERMINATION | An unpredictable case teaches hard lessons to each party involved

Court decisions are “opinions.” There are majority and dissenting (disagreeing) […]

Roads & Bridges | Liquidated Damages

February 24, 2024|

LIQUIDATED DAMAGES | Penalties and What is Unenforceable

Liquidated damages typically flow from delays, but they are not always solidly enforced.

In June 2017, […]

  • Roads & Bridges | Warranty Provisions

Roads& Bridges | Warranty Provisions

January 25, 2024|

WARRANTY PROVISIONS | Contracts must be interpreted thoroughly to avoid absurd results

You are responsible for things within your control. Be careful if […]

Roads& Bridges | Confusing Waters

October 17, 2023|

CONFUSING WATERS | A Supreme Court ruling leaves room for ambiguity

What happens when there may be a “significant nexus” between “adjacent” and/or […]

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!

Jonathan J. Straw
Best Lawyers® - Jonathan Straw | 2026

Share This Story, Choose Your Platform!