MASSACHUSETTS CONSTRUCTION LAW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MASSACHUSETTS CONSTRUCTION LAW
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHORS ................................................................................i
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................ii
PREFACE ................................................................................iii
PART 1 BEFORE THE HAMMERS AND NAILS
.5
CHAPTER 1. BUSINESS ENTITIES
5
1.1 The Start-Up: Business Entities and Related Considerations
5
1.2 Corporations and Limited Liability Companies
...7
1.3 Tax Considerations
24
PART 1 BEFORE THE HAMMERS AND NAILS
..27
CHAPTER 2. DESIGN PROFESSIONALS AND CONTRACTOR LICENSING
27
2.1 Regulation of Design Professionals
27
2.2 Construction Supervisor License and Licenses of Related Trades
..29
2.3 M.G.L. c. 142A Home Improvement Contractor Act 29
2.4 Minority and Women Enterprise Business (M/WBE) Certification
...42
PART 2. PROCUREMENT OF PUBLIC CONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN MASSACHUSETTS
.49
CHAPTER 3 BIDDING PUBLIC CONTRACTS FOR DESIGN PROFESSIONALS
49
3.1 Introduction
.49
3.1.1 Two Types of Construction Projects: The Statutory Differentiation Between Vertical Construction under M.G.L. c. 149 §§ 44A-44H versus Horizontal Work under M.G.L. c. 30 § 39M
.50
3.2 Selection of Design Professionals for Traditional Construction Methods
...52
3.3 Selection Criteria: Public Works versus Public Building Projects
52
3.4 The Designer Selection Board (DCAMM)
52
3.5 Selection Criteria with the Massachusetts School Building Authority
61
3.6 Owners Project Manager (OPM)
.66
CHAPTER 4 BIDDING PUBLIC CONTRACTS FOR CONTRACTORS
..71
4.1 Introduction
71
4.2 M.G.L. c. 30 § 39M Public Works Construction Contract
.71
4.3 M.G.L. c. 149 § 44A-44L - Public Building Construction Contract
.75
4.4 Alternative Project Delivery Methods for Public Projects; Design-Build Method
98
4.5 Bid Protests
115
PART 3. UNDERSTANDING KEY PROVISION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
119
CHAPTER 5 UNDERSTANDING KEY PROVISION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC PROJECTS.119
5.1 Introduction
...119
5.2 Scope of Work
119
5.3 Change Orders; Equitable Adjustments to the Contract
120
5.4 Substantial Completion
132
5.5 Prompt Payment for Subcontractors and Demands for Direct Payment
.
133
5.6 Indemnification
.134
5.7 Or Equal Specifications
134
CHAPTER 6 UNDERSTANDING KEY PROVISION OF CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS FOR PRIVATE PROJECTS
..135
6.1 Standard Form Contracts Forms
135
6.2 Changed Conditions Clauses under the AIA Contract
..136
6.3 Indemnification Clauses
..139
6.4 Massachusetts Prompt Payment Act
...139
PART 4. CLAIMS AND DAMAGES
..147
CHAPTER 7 CONTRACT CLAIMS
147
7.1 Introduction
...147
7.2 Performance and Breach
.147
7.3 Default & Termination
.149
7.4 Defaults Under Federal Contracts
.150
7.5 Warranties
.155
7.6 Changes and Claims for Extra Work; Delay Damages
..157
7.7 Contractual Damages Provisions
164
7.8 Limitation of Liability Clauses
168
7.9 Bond Claims
..170
7.10 Mechanics Liens
..181
7.11 Statutory Limitations of Claims against Awarding Authorities; Sovereign Immunity
.190
CHAPTER 8 NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS; CONSTRUCTION DEFECTS
.193
8.1 Negligence
..193
8.2 The Economic Loss Doctrine
..193
8.4 Statute of Limitation
195
8.5 Insurance
196
CHAPTER 9 PIERCING THE CORPORATE VEIL
..203
9.1 Introduction
..203
9.2 By Agreement: Personal Guarantees
.203
9.3 By Statute
..204
9.4 Equity: The doctrine of corporate disregard
.214
