Construction Contracts Flashcards
(291 cards)
5 Contracting Procedures
- General Contract Method
- Separate Contracts Method
- Self-Performance Method
- Design-Build Method
- Professional Construction Management Method
(Chapter 2)
Contracting Procedures - General Contract Method
Contract drawn up between the owner and a general contractor
Chapter 2
Contracting Procedures - Separate Contracts Method
Owner lets contracts directly to specialty contractors to various portions of the work (owner is project manager)
(Chapter 2)
Contracting Procedures - Self-Performance Method
No contracts are written, all done ‘in-house’
Chapter 2
Contracting Procedures - Design-Build Method
Single contract for both design and construction
Chapter 2
Contracting Procedures - Professional Construction Management Method
Owner hires a firm with construction expertise to perform construction management services
(Chapter 2)
Contract
Agreement between two parties that is enforceable by law
*May be a third-party agreement - benefit of contract goes to a third party (ex: insurance policy
Chapter 3)
Litigation
- When parties cannot resolve an issues, one files a lawsuit against the other - goes to court
- Court will base decisions on statute law, Constitution, and common-law principles (right from wrong)
*May rely on previous cases for guidance in unique situations
(Chapter 3)
4 Descriptors of Contracts
- Executed v. Executory
- Bilateral v. Unilateral
- Express v. Implied
- Joint Arrangement v. Several/Separate
(Chapter 3)
Descriptors of Contracts - Executed v. Executory
Executed Contract - When both parties have fully performed in accordance with contract terms
Executory Contract -
When some portion of the agreement remains to be done (may be one or both parties)
(Chapter 3)
Descriptors of Contracts - Bilateral v. Unilateral
Bilateral Contract -
- Agreement created by mutual promises made by contracting parties
- Each party plays two roles (promissory and promised
- Majority of contracts
Unilateral Contract -
1, One-sided contract - only one of the contracting parties makes a promise while other party exchanges something other than a promise
2. Not as common
(Chapter 3)
Descriptors of Contracts - Express v. Implied
Express Contract -
- Terms of the agreement are clear, concise, explicit, and definite
- Majority of contracts*
Implied Contract -
1. Terms of agreement are not clearly stated, but are established through inference and deduction
2. Terms of contract must be implied from the actions of the contracting parties
(Chapter 3)
Descriptors of Contracts - Joint Arrangement v. Several/Separate
Joint Arrangement -
1. The individuals are “joined” as one party in the action (Parties are united and undivided)
Several / Separate / Severed -
1. Each party has liability that is separate from that of any of the other parties
Joint + Several -
1. Combination of systems
(Chapter 3)
Elements of a Contract - 5 Criteria of Contracts to be Valid
- Offer and Acceptance
- Meeting of the Minds
- Consideration
- Lawful Subject Matter
- Competent Parties
(Chapter 3)
Criteria of Contracts to be Valid - Offer and Acceptance
- Offer is considered to be made when one person signifies to another a willingness to enter into a binding contract on specified terms
- Offerer confers on the offeree (second party) the power to create a binding contract by accepting stated terms (Acceptance creates the contract)
- Counteroffer - Acceptance that is not definite or unconditional
(Chapter 3)
Criteria of Contracts to be Valid - Meeting of the Minds
- Contracting parties agree on basic meaning and legal implications of contract
- Unreality of consent - when there is a realization after a formal contract is made that there was not meeting of the minds (just cause for nullifying a contract)
- Adhesion - formed when one party exercises the strength of its bargaining position to get a second party to agree to lopsided terms
(Chapter 3)
Criteria of Contracts to be Valid - Consideration
- Primary reason/main cause for a person to enter a contract
- Something of value received by one of the parties in exchange for another item or action that is of value
3.Requires both parties
(Chapter 3)
Criteria of Contracts to be Valid - Lawful Subject Matter
The subject must be definite and clearly defined
*Cannot violate any fundamental dictates of common law
*Cannot be contrary to public policy
(Chapter 3)
Criteria of Contracts to be Valid - Competent Parties
Anyone acting in good faith may enter into a binding contract
(Chapter 3)
Estoppel
- Principle by which a contract becomes binding in spite of the fact that no formal agreement was made between parties
- Result of court action asserting that an agreement or contract exists (typically based on actions of parties involved)
3.Implied agreement
(Chapter 3)
Form of Contract
Not all contracts need to be in writing to be binding
*Implied contracts are not written
Chapter 3
Contract Intent
Courts will consider the actual wording and intent in contract
(Chapter 3)
Assignment of Contracts
- Refers to transfer
- Assignment occurs when one party to an agreement transfers the rights or obligations of the agreement to another party
(Chapter 3)
Sovereign Immunity
- When public entities are involved
2. The government entities cannot be sued without consent
Chapter 3