by Walter J. Adams, Jr., Berkley Alliance Managers, a Berkley Company
Once again, the American economy is in flux. We’re all now in a wait-and-see game with a virus that is endangering the well-being of both individuals and businesses worldwide.
For some contractors, the projects scheduled before COVID-19 will move forward without delay. Others will be placed on hold or cancelled which will jeopardize the incomes and livelihoods of our nation’s contractors, subcontractors, engineers and architects.
As a result, the written contracts agreed upon between all parties have never been more important. Given the unpredictability shadowing the entire construction industry, plus state and federal regulations and mandates changing daily, every detail of every project should be clearly defined. Agreements that carefully state the risks, roles, responsibilities and rights of every participant, including subcontractors, are essential for ensuring successful, profitable outcomes during the best of times, let alone when circumstances are uncertain at best.
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