Construction Law Blog

Navigating the Heights: Understanding New York Scaffolding Safety Standards

Scaffolding is an essential part of construction in New York, a city constantly evolving with new buildings and renovations. However, with height comes risk, and ensuring scaffolding safety is paramount. New York has stringent safety standards to protect workers and the public. This article delves into these standards, highlighting key regulations and real-world examples.

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What is a Surety Bond and When is it Used?

A surety bond is defined as a three-party agreement that legally binds together a principal who needs the bond, an obligee who requires the bond and a surety company that sells the bond.[1] The bond guarantees the principal will act in accordance with certain laws. If the principal fails to perform in this manner, the bond will cover resulting damages or losses. When is a bond such as this used?

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Long Island Construction Employment Rises as New York City Jobs Fall – David Winzelberg

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. does not own this content. This content was created by David Winzelberg, and was published to the Long Island Business News. To view the full article, please click here. 

Construction employment on Long Island saw a year-over-year increase in December, while the number of New York City construction jobs declined, according to a new report from the Associated General Contractors of America. 

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The AI Arms Race is on For Construction Builders in 2025 – ConstructionDive

The Law Offices of John Caravella, P.C. does not own this content. This content was create by of ConstructionDive, and was published on January 8th, 2025.

In an era of rapid technological advancement for the construction industry, one piece of technology looms above the rest in status and notoriety — artificial intelligence.

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How Homeowners Can Prevent Construction Fraud

We have all heard the expression, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” But, how do we really know when we are being fooled? Though Construction Fraud was not listed in Investopedia’s Most Common Types of Consumer Fraud article, Construction Fraud is more common than you would think. Normally, when one thinks about the term “fraud”, you think of your credit card being compromised, but did you ever think of Construction Fraud, and ways you can prevent it?

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Understanding Lien Waivers for Contractors – Inside and Out

For contractors and subcontractors in New York, Mechanic’s Lien Waivers are a part of life, but the potential risks to the contractor in waiving more than intended or understanding of the terms are not always as common. Owners (and often their lender) require that the project be kept lien free through progression of the work to final completion. This means that, as a contractor or subcontractor, you will undoubtedly be asked to execute a Mechanic’s Lien Waiver at some time or another, often in conjunction with applying for payment. If you do so however without paying attention to the specific language of the Waiver, you might lose more than you bargained for. Within this article, we share two examples of Lien Waivers. A Contractor’s Final Waiver and a Contractor’s Partial Waiver.

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Navigating New York State Maritime Construction: Laws, Regulations, and Key Projects

New York State’s maritime construction sector is a dynamic and complex field, governed by a robust framework of laws and regulations. This article explores the intricacies of marine construction law in New York, focusing on key areas such as submarine cable installation and repair, bridge construction, dock construction, and the erection of various coastal and offshore structures.

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Hazardous Construction Materials and the Future of Sustainable Construction

The construction industry has long been associated with significant environmental and health impacts. From hazardous materials to resource depletion, the conventional construction methods have left a notable footprint on our planet. As we move towards a more sustainable future, it’s crucial to understand the risks associated with hazardous construction materials and explore the innovative solutions that are paving the way for sustainable construction.

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Challenges of Construction in Rural Communities in the United States

Construction in rural communities across the United States presents a unique set of challenges that are often overlooked when compared to urban projects. While many of these challenges stem from the geographical remoteness, a lack of infrastructure, and limited access to resources, they are compounded by socio-economic factors and regulatory hurdles that make building in rural areas particularly difficult. This blog article will explore these challenges in greater depth, examining how they impact construction projects and what can be done to mitigate these issues.

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Appellate Court Upholds Contractor Indemnification

Indemnification is an important legal concept which impacts nearly all construction contracts. It has several forms and types, but generally amounts to a contract requirement where one party party agrees to restore the other party from any losses. Where an anticipated loss should occur, the damaged party can expect reimbursement for the loss.

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