St. Johns Law Group
Construction Law
Construction
St. Johns Law Group Construction Attorneys
St. Augustine Construction Law Attorneys
Contracts. Defects. Liens. Payment Disputes. Construction Litigation.
St. Johns Law Group represents property owners,
homeowners, contractors, subcontractors, developers,
builders, suppliers, associations, businesses,
and real estate investors in Florida construction matters
throughout Northeast Florida.
From contract drafting and project planning through
Chapter 558 defect claims, construction liens,
payment disputes, mediation, litigation, trial,
and appeal, our attorneys help protect projects,
property, and financial interests.
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St. Augustine’s Largest Full-Service Law Firm
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Construction contracts, defects, liens,
licensing & litigation
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Representation from project planning
through dispute resolution
Construction Counsel From Project to Courtroom
Owners • Contractors • Developers • Subcontractors • Property Owners
St. Johns Law Group
St. Augustine Area’s Largest Law Firm
15 Attorneys
Full-Service Legal Team
300+ Years
Combined Legal Experience
100+ Jury Trials
Trial Experience Across the Team
1,000s of Closings
Real Estate Transactions
Florida Construction Law
How Can Our Construction Attorneys Help?
Construction issues can arise before work begins, during performance, after completion, or when payment or defects become disputed.
Construction Contracts
Drafting, review, scope, payment provisions, change orders, warranties, termination, and dispute-resolution provisions.
Explore Contracts →Construction Defects
Defective workmanship, water intrusion, structural problems, code issues, incomplete construction, and related defect claims.
Explore Defect Claims →Liens & Payment Disputes
Notices to Owner, Claims of Lien, lien enforcement, defenses, contractor payment claims, and construction payment disputes.
Explore Liens →Contractor Licensing
Licensing questions, contractor liability, unlicensed-contractor issues, and related Florida construction disputes.
Licensing & Liability →Chapter 558 Claims
Pre-suit defect notices, inspections, responses, proposed repairs, and construction-defect claim strategy.
Explore Chapter 558 →Mediation & Arbitration
Construction dispute resolution involving owners, contractors, defects, payment claims, contracts, and project disputes.
Construction Mediation →Construction Lien Calculator
Estimate common Notice to Owner and Claim of Lien dates using SJLG’s Florida construction lien tool.
Use Calculator →Chapter 558 Notice Generator
Organize information relating to a potential Florida construction defect notice before preparing or reviewing a claim.
Use Notice Generator →
Explore Construction Law
Construction Legal Services & Resources
Go directly to the SJLG construction service, calculator, notice tool, mediation resource, or litigation page relevant to your matter.
Contracts & Project Issues
Defects, Chapter 558 & ADR
Liens, Payment & Litigation
Construction Law Across the Project Lifecycle
From Contract Formation to Final Resolution
Construction legal issues can develop at every stage of a project—from contract negotiation and project performance through payment, defects, dispute resolution, litigation, and appeal.
1. Contract
Scope, payment, warranties,
risk allocation and dispute provisions
2. Performance
Workmanship, change orders,
delays and project administration
3. Payment
Invoices, retainage,
Notices to Owner and lien rights
4. Defects
Inspection, experts,
Chapter 558 and repair issues
5. Resolution
Negotiation, mediation,
arbitration and settlement
6. Litigation
Lawsuit, discovery,
trial and appeal
Clients We Serve
Who Our Construction Attorneys Represent
Construction disputes and project issues look different depending on where a client sits within the construction process.Property Owners
Homeowners
General Contractors
Subcontractors
Developers
Builders
Suppliers
Real Estate Investors
Commercial Property Owners
Businesses
HOAs & Condominiums
Construction Professionals
Construction Contracts
Build the Legal Foundation Before Construction Begins
A construction contract defines the project's legal and financial framework. Ambiguous or incomplete provisions can turn ordinary project problems into expensive disputes.
SJLG assists owners, contractors, subcontractors, developers, and businesses with construction contract drafting, review, interpretation, negotiation, and enforcement.- Scope of work
- Payment schedules and retainage
- Change-order procedures
- Project milestones and delays
- Warranties and completion obligations
- Indemnity and risk allocation
- Termination provisions
- Mediation, arbitration and litigation provisions
Construction Contract Counsel
Drafting • Review • Risk Allocation • Project Disputes
Construction Defect Claims
Investigation • Chapter 558 • Resolution • Litigation
Construction Defects
Defective, Incomplete or Nonconforming Construction
Construction defects may involve workmanship, materials, design, building systems, code compliance, or failure to complete the work required by contract.
- Water intrusion and waterproofing
- Roofing and flashing problems
- Structural and foundation conditions
- Drainage and grading issues
- Plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems
- Code-related deficiencies
- Incomplete or abandoned work
- Warranty and repair disputes
Florida Chapter 558
Construction Defect Pre-Suit Process
Florida Chapter 558 establishes a statutory pre-suit process for many construction defect claims. The particular requirements depend on the property, parties, contracts, and claimed defects.1
Identify Defects
Document alleged conditions, damage and affected areas.2
Prepare Notice
Evaluate parties, claims and notice requirements.3
Inspection
Parties may inspect the claimed defective conditions.4
Response
Responses may address repairs, payment or disputed liability.5
Resolution or Suit
Claims may resolve or proceed toward formal litigation.
Florida Construction Liens
Construction Liens & Payment Disputes
Florida construction lien rights are technical and deadline-driven. Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, property owners, and developers should address potential lien issues early.Notice to Owner
Evaluation, preparation, service, and disputes involving Notice to Owner requirements.Claims of Lien
Preparation, recording, service, enforcement, challenges, and lien litigation.Payment Disputes
Unpaid invoices, retainage, disputed work, change orders, and nonpayment claims.Lien Foreclosure
Litigation to enforce or defend construction lien claims involving Florida property.Notices of Contest
Evaluation of procedures affecting lien duration and enforcement deadlines.Improper Liens
Challenges involving timing, amounts, parties, property descriptions, and entitlement.
Interactive Construction Resources
Florida Construction Law Tools
SJLG provides interactive resources designed to help construction professionals and property owners identify important issues that may require prompt review.Florida Construction Lien Deadline Calculator
Enter project dates to estimate common Notice to Owner and Claim of Lien dates. The calculator is an educational starting point and does not determine whether lien rights exist. Use the Lien Calculator →Florida Chapter 558 Notice Generator
Organize property, party, defect and claim information relating to a potential Chapter 558 construction defect notice. Open the 558 Notice Generator →These tools provide general educational information only. They do not provide legal advice, determine legal rights, or create an attorney-client relationship.
Construction Litigation
When a Construction Dispute Cannot Be Resolved
Some construction disputes require formal litigation. SJLG provides access to a broader civil and commercial trial team when negotiation, mediation, or pre-suit resolution is not enough.
Recent Firm Civil & Commercial Jury Trial Results
3 Jury Trials • 3 Wins • 3 Months
Construction litigation can involve contracts,
expert testimony, project records,
technical evidence, damages,
liens, property rights, and complex procedural issues.
Construction Defect Litigation
Claims involving allegedly defective, incomplete, or nonconforming construction. Defect Claims →Contract Litigation
Breach, scope, payment, termination, change-order, and project-performance disputes. Construction Disputes →Lien Litigation
Enforcement and defense of construction lien and related payment claims. Lien Disputes →Delay & Completion Claims
Disputes involving delays, abandonment, project completion, damages, and contractor substitution.Mediation & Arbitration
Alternative dispute resolution involving construction contracts, defects, payment claims, and property disputes. Construction Mediation →Trial & Appeal
Litigation strategy from pleadings and discovery through trial and appellate review when appropriate. Civil Litigation →* Prior results are provided for informational purposes only. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar result in another matter.
Full-Service Construction Counsel
Construction Problems Rarely Exist in Isolation
Construction matters frequently overlap with real estate, development, association law, business relationships, contracts, and civil litigation. SJLG brings these related capabilities together within one firm.
Real Estate
Ownership, title, purchase agreements, property rights, transactions, and real estate disputes.
Real Estate →Development & Land Use
Zoning, approvals, entitlements, development conditions, permitting, and governmental matters.
Development & Zoning →HOA & Condominium
Association property, common-area construction, governance, developer transition, and defect disputes.
HOA & Condo Law →Civil & Commercial Litigation
Contract disputes, damages, injunctions, trial strategy, mediation, and appellate issues.
Civil Litigation →
Construction & Property Litigation
Meet Attorney Shaun C. Saliba
Construction matters benefit from counsel experienced with construction contracts, defects, liens, payment disputes, and real-property litigation.
Construction Attorney
Shaun C. Saliba
Shaun C. Saliba focuses his practice on construction law and real-property litigation, representing property owners, contractors, subcontractors, developers, and other construction participants throughout Northeast Florida.
Construction Law
Defects, contracts,
liens and payment disputes
Property Litigation
Real estate and
property-related disputes
Chapter 558
Pre-suit construction
defect matters
Litigation
Construction disputes,
mediation, and trial preparation
Florida Construction Law FAQs
Common Construction Law Questions
Construction rights depend heavily on contracts, project documents, statutory requirements, notices, timing, and the specific facts.When should I have a construction contract reviewed?
Ideally, legal review occurs before the agreement is signed
or substantial work begins. Early review can identify
unclear scope, payment terms, change-order procedures,
warranties, termination rights, and dispute-resolution provisions.
What is a construction defect?
Construction defect claims may involve allegedly defective
workmanship, materials, design, building systems,
code compliance, water intrusion, structural conditions,
or incomplete work.
What is Florida Chapter 558?
Chapter 558 establishes a statutory pre-suit process
applicable to many Florida construction defect claims.
It generally creates procedures involving notice,
investigation, inspection, and responses before litigation.
What is a Notice to Owner?
A Notice to Owner is a notice used in Florida's
construction lien system by certain potential lienors.
Whether one is required and whether it is timely
depends on the party's role and project facts.
What is a Florida Claim of Lien?
A Claim of Lien is a recorded instrument through which
a qualifying construction lienor may assert a lien claim
against real property. Florida law imposes detailed
requirements involving eligibility, content, recording,
service, and enforcement.
Can a property owner challenge a construction lien?
Depending on the circumstances, disputes may involve
whether lien rights exist, whether required notices were
timely and sufficient, whether the amount is proper,
and whether statutory requirements were followed.
Can a contractor sue for unpaid construction work?
Potential remedies depend on the contract,
project structure, payment history,
lien rights, notices, and other facts.
Contract and lien remedies may involve different requirements.
What should I do if I receive a Chapter 558 notice?
Review the notice promptly together with the relevant contracts,
plans, project records, and insurance information.
Chapter 558 involves a structured pre-suit process,
so the notice should be evaluated promptly.
Can a construction dispute be mediated before trial?
Yes. Construction disputes involving contracts,
defects, owners, contractors, payment claims,
and project issues may be appropriate for mediation.
The governing contract may also contain mediation
or arbitration provisions.
Does SJLG represent both property owners and contractors?
SJLG represents participants throughout the construction
industry, subject to conflict checks and the circumstances
of the particular matter.
Recent Legal Insights
Recent Construction Law Articles
Recent SJLG resources addressing Florida construction contracts, defects, liens, licensing, Chapter 558, mediation, and construction disputes.St. Johns Law Group
Construction Law
Construction
Florida Chapter 558 Construction Defect Claims
Learn about Florida's Chapter 558 pre-suit process and legal considerations that may arise before construction defect litigation proceeds. Read Resource →St. Johns Law Group
Construction Law
Construction
Florida Construction Liens & Payment Disputes
Explore issues involving payment claims, construction liens, notices, contractual obligations, lien deadlines, and construction payment disputes. Read Resource →
Construction Law Consultation
Talk With a St. Augustine Construction Attorney
If your matter involves a construction contract, defect, Chapter 558 notice, lien, payment dispute, licensing issue, mediation, or construction lawsuit, tell us about your situation.
Phone
(904) 495-0400
Email
info@sjlawgroup.com
St. Augustine Office
104 Sea Grove Main Street
St. Augustine, Florida 32080
Dedicated & Responsive®
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