Construction dispute between parties can arise at any time

When it comes to constructing a building, there are usually many parties involved. Because of this, in the construction world, disputes about contracts, agreements, type of work and services and more can arise at any time. Louisiana residents may find it interesting to learn that recently a hockey arena in another state has been the center of a legal dispute that has been brewing between a crane rental company and the contractors that rented their cranes.

The crane renting company is suing for rental fees owed that it claims it has not received for its crane operating and operator services, as well as fees for renting related equipment and other items related to the construction project. The crane rental company claims that it has been waiting on payment since the fourth quarter of 2013. On the other hand, the hockey arena authorities and others the crane rental company is suing claim that they have not defaulted on any payments that are due to the crane company.

Rather, they claim that the crane rental company overcharged for the equipment it rented out and the services that were rendered. They accuse the rental company of charging rates that are comparable with rates charged in a neighboring city instead of rates that are comparable with the then current rates of the local district where the construction project was which were much lower.

In addition they also claim that the invoices include fraudulent charges for fuel as well as excess overtime that they claim are not owed and should not have been billed to begin with. Other fraudulent charges that they also claim have been billed include excess double time and even crane downtime. They also accuse the crane company of agreeing to rent their equipment at the going rate for small cranes but reneging after the fact and charging large-crane rates instead. Finally they also assert that the crane company even billed them for fuel that they purchased and paid for independently.

Construction disputes between parties can clearly arise at any time during a construction project. Such dispute can hamper the progress of the project. Feuding parties may find it helpful to enlist the help of a construction litigation firm familiar with such project and cases to ensure that all interests are protected.

Source: The Morning Call, “Cranes over Allentown arena subject to legal battle,” Scott Kraus, June 26, 2014