Philadelphia Construction Law Blog

The United States Supreme Court has announced its docket for next session. Several cases that will impact the construction industry in Pennsylvania in some way appear on the list. Because the Supreme Court is not required to accept a case from the lower courts, its decision to do so likely means the issue is an important one that could have far reaching consequences.

The American Institute of Architects recently released the results of its survey of economic conditions as it relates to the construction design industry. The data was not encouraging for the construction industry of Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

The construction world continues to be changed – like the rest of the business world – by technology. With the advent of smart phones, people became more flexible and productive. As smart phones become even smarter, the growing opportunities for increased efficiency and productivity seem to be presently focused on integration. A new application for smart phones seems to fit that description perfectly.

It’s election day.  Be sure to get out and vote!

Officials in Easton, Pennsylvania recently put on a program for developers. It included a tour of the downtown area in order to showcase the city’s potential for growth and occupancy, particularly in the business district. The program was offered by the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and was attended by close to 50 people.

In the case of Baker v. Reese Bros. (decided October 19, 2012), the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania upheld a decision by the Court of Common Pleas of Somerset County to not apply the Economic Loss Doctrine to bar the homeowner’s claim for negligence against a third-party code inspector.

The Uniform Construction Code (UCC) generally preempts and rescinds construction standards provided by statute, local ordinance, or regulation unless the law meets the following four standards:

On July 1, 2009, the Pennsylvania Home Improvement Consume Protection Act (HICPA), 73 P.S. §§ 517.1 et seq., became effective. HICPA is a consumer protection statute that regulates and governs home improvement contractors and their contracts with homeowners. HICPA provides, inter alia, that “[n]o home improvement contract shall be valid or enforceable against an owner unless it . . . [i]s in writing and legible.” 73 P.S. § 517.7(a)(1).

Work on the Allentown Hockey Arena, the future home of the Phantoms of the American Hockey League and the anchor to larger development plans in Allentown, has broken another log jam. The Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority has closed on funding for completion of the arena complex construction.

As election season hits full stride in the race to November 6, a good deal has been discussed about sequestration. The term has been mentioned most prominently in the context of cuts to defense spending. If it should occur, however, it will hit construction related budgets hard as well.