Construction Law

The Cost of Defending Your Contractor’s License featured image

The Cost of Defending Your Contractor’s License

In the construction industry, nearly all of the work that you do requires a license through the state. Without it, you do not have the authorization to work, and doing so without a license can lead to major fines and jail time. Although you have your license, it is possible to lose it for a variety of reasons. 

Losing your license will make it impossible for you to work in the industry, which is why construction companies and contractors work very hard to defend their licenses. Determining the cost of defending your license can be complicated since it is based on a variety of factors. In this article, a contractor’s license defense attorney discusses the cost of defending your contractor’s license. 

Cost Depends on the Case

Before getting into the factors that influence the cost of your contractor’s license defense case, it is important to remember that the cost is different for everyone. Each case is different and has different factors that affect the cost. There is not an accurate way to estimate the cost of your case either since factors can change throughout the case as well. The best way to get an idea of what your case should cost is to work with your lawyer to create an estimate. 

Lawyer Fees

The cost that will likely have the biggest impact on your case is your lawyer’s fees. Much of the cost will depend on how you pay your lawyer. In civil cases, paying an hourly rate is probably the most common option. Lawyers can try to predict how long a case should last, making it easier to determine what your costs will be. However, Nashville construction law cases can be unpredictable and you may end up with a case that takes far longer than expected. How quickly your lawyer can close a case will determine the general cost of that case. 

There are other ways of paying your lawyer. For example, your lawyer may accept a flat fee depending on the type of case. Flat fees are less common than hourly rates because they are financially risky for lawyers. However, some lawyers offer them because they can accurately predict how long it will take to close a particular case and know that they can do it in a cost-efficient way. 

Some lawyers also offer periodic payment structures. In some cases, you can pay based on the stages of the case. In other cases, you can pay based on a monthly payment plan after the case has been closed. It depends on the lawyer and if he or she is willing to accept some level of financial risk of not getting paid. 

Court and Legal Fees

Depending on how your case is handled, there are fees associated with the process. In most cases, that cost will be passed along to you by your Nashville construction attorney. Some of the costs that you can expect include:

  • Expert witnesses: If your case requires the input of an expert witness, you have to pay the costs for that witness. Many expert witnesses charge a fee for their services, which can vary based on the witness and the type of testimony that is needed.
  • Arbitration fees: Settling a case through arbitration will include arbitration fees. These fees go toward paying the arbitrator and securing a place for the arbitration to happen. 
  • Court filing fees: Anytime you file documents related to your case with the court, there could be a filing fee. 
  • Investigations: Your lawyer may want to hire an investigator to look into specific aspects of your case. That investigator will charge you a fee for their services. 
  • Depositions: Depositions can incur fees because they are time-consuming and happen out of court. Many license defense cases involve depositions since most of the process happens out of court. 
  • License Reinstatement: If your license has been revoked, you can have it reinstated in some cases. You may have to pay a processing fee for that reinstatement similar to how filing any paperwork with the court can incur a fee. 

There may be other types of fees not covered on this list that could be involved with your case. If you are concerned about surprise fees during your case, the best solution is to discuss the expected fees with your lawyer before beginning any work. While cases may be somewhat unpredictable, your lawyer should be able to give you an idea of what the fees will be like or which fees can be expected. 

Paying Fees

It is important to remember that although the cost of fees may be high in some cases, the costs could prove to be worth it to protect your license. Without your contractor’s license, you may not be able to work in your state. Your company won’t be able to generate money, meaning it will close and you will be out of a job. Over a lifetime, the potential earnings of a construction company can far outweigh the cost of defending your license. 

If you need to defend your license but you are worried about the cost, the best thing that you can do is discuss your case with a lawyer. Doing so can give you the insight that you need to make the right decision in your case. Lawyers can also help you find a way to afford the fees. If you have questions about the cost of defending your contractor’s license, contact a Nashville license defense attorney from Cotney Attorneys & Consultants.

If you would like to speak with a Nashville license defense attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.