Companies and business · Quirós & Quirós
Construction contracts and disputes in Veraguas
Construction work needs clear rules on what is to be built, what is paid and how delivery is verified. At Quirós & Quirós, we advise on construction contracts and disputes between owners and contractors, within the agreed engagement and subject to conflict-of-interest checks.
On this page
Getting started
Key points
- Legal review identifies obligations and claim procedures. Quality, safety and physical progress may require an independent technical assessment.
Contracts prepared for the actual works
We review scope, plans, appendices, price, payments, delivery, changes and breach provisions. Changes should be documented and the contract should identify approval authority. Civil-law construction rules must be connected to the specific agreement.
Stalled works, disputed payments and extras
For existing disputes, we reconstruct agreement and performance from contracts, estimates, transfers, messages and records. Not every delay justifies the same measure, nor can extra costs be passed on without checking authorization. We first identify obligations, alleged breaches and evidence for each amount.
Negotiate, document or claim
We can prepare demands, remedial or termination agreements and appropriate claims or defense. Arbitration clauses are examined before choosing a route. Strategy may require preserving technical evidence before altering or repairing works, while maintaining necessary safety measures.
How we proceed
Your matter, step by step
- Prepare the consultation
We review your objective, background and available documents, identifying missing information and any dates that need attention.
- Agree and carry out the work
We define the tasks included in the engagement, the documents needed, professional fees and expenses. Work proceeds within the agreed scope.
- Review progress and next steps
We explain the work completed and its outcome, identifying documents delivered, outstanding responses and any next steps.
Preparing for your consultation
- Contract, estimates, plans, appendices and change orders.
- Payment records, invoices and progress or delivery certificates.
- Chronology, correspondence, photographs and existing technical reports.
Fees, expenses and timing
The quote distinguishes contract review, negotiation and litigation. Engineer, architect or expert inspections and reports are separate services. Public procurement disputes require examination of their specific regime before assuming the same scope.
Timing depends on the documents, participants’ availability and the specific procedures. When defining the engagement, we distinguish our preparation timetable from dates that depend on third parties or an authority.
How we explain your legal fees →Answers for this consultation
Can you review the construction contract before I pay the advance?
Yes. We review the parties, scope of work, how progress is verified and what happens if changes or breaches occur. The quotation, plans and appendices should form a consistent whole before signing and starting payments.
What should I do if the contractor abandons the works?
Keep the contract, payment records, correspondence and evidence of the current condition. We can examine formal demands and the appropriate claim procedure. Before replacing work or discarding materials, determine how to preserve evidence while still taking urgent safety measures.
Can the contractor charge for any additional work performed?
The original scope, pricing arrangement and authorization of the change must be reviewed. Performing additional work does not replace examination of the agreement. Correspondence, revised quotations and approvals are relevant to preparing each party’s position.
More questions about this service:
- Can you review the construction contract before I pay the advance?
- What should I do if the contractor abandons the works?
- Can the contractor charge for any additional work performed?
- Can I stop all payments because there is a defect?
- Do all construction defects have the same warranty period?
- Do you also represent contractors when owners fail to pay?
- Do I need an expert report to make a claim?
- Can an arbitration clause change where I must bring a claim?
Working with our firm
A clearly defined engagement
- Drafting and review of private construction contracts and amendments.
- Organization of claims for payments, deliverables, defects or breach.
- Negotiation, settlements and representation under the contract’s applicable procedure.
Our proposal sets out which of these services you need and the terms of our engagement.