Construction law deals with all matters related to architecture, engineering, and construction. From planning to completion, Georgia construction law covers every stage of the construction process throughout the state, including budgeting, scheduling, adhering to regulatory guidelines, terminations, and submitting claims, as well as hiring/managing designers, material suppliers, contractors, architects, and subcontractors. Construction law is navigated by construction attorneys, who have an intimate, detailed understanding of both the intricacies of construction as well as their associated legalities.
Construction law is a complex, profoundly faceted amalgam of all the machineries, stages, and tasks of a construction site, combined with the expert understanding, and elaborate methodologies, of substantive law.
Construction law covers private projects, public projects, and federal projects, each governed by a very precise set of laws and contracts. Through standardized contracts provided by the American Institute of Architects have established the norm in the construction industry, contracts and regulations vary across states and regions. Each state holds their own set of construction laws and building codes that directly influence construction sites and projects, altering the coverage of construction law and the specializations of construction lawyers.
Georgia Construction Law
Georgia construction law is influenced by a wide range of federal contracts, regulations, and initiatives, as well as more localized codes and construction requirements tailored specifically to Georgia. Georgia is still subjected to the requirements imposed by national, federal regulations, such as those stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the Fair Housing Act (HUD), the National Electrical Code (NEC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the National Standard of Plumbing Code (NSPC), and the National Technology TRansfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA).
Georgia also has specialized programs that serve our beautiful state specifically. Some most prevalent initiatives and programs promote clean energy, efficiency, and environmental friendliness. Ranging from rebate programs, to grants and loans, to personal tax exemption and corporate tax credit, Georgia has a myriad of incentives and policies that can benefit Georgia’s environment as well as your construction project and budget.
Georgia even has programs in place to incentivize better community and economic growth, offering tools and resources to effectively fulfill construction goals.
To best understand the construction boom Georgia is about to undergo, let’s take a look at some grants, funds, and initiatives for community development and economic development. With this great push for development and revitalization, our state is going to be subjected to an incredible amount of construction projects and job sites. With this construction boom, we must also remember the importance of construction law, and the positive impact construction attorneys can have on our state.
Georgia’s Development Efforts
Community Development
Georgia offers several inclusive and beneficial initiatives and programs to spark efficient community development. Our communities are vital to the happiness of our citizens and to the beauty of our state. With Georgia’s community incentives and programs, we ensure our state grows smartly, safely, and without waste. Some of these are:
The Community Development Block Grant
The CDBG is awarded funding through HUD, and provides $33.3 million to improve the neighborhoods, community centers, and infrastructures, of some of Georgia’s most needy regions. The CDBG aims to revitalize neighborhoods, promote healthier communities, and create 511 jobs.
The Georgia Initiative for Community Housing
The GICH provides a three-year collaborative effort, and technical assistance, to a community’s housing and developments in order to foster a more intimate sense of community, improve available housing, and promote local businesses.
The Redevelopment Fund Program (for Community Development)
The RFP provides flexible financial aid to local construction projects that improve community and would not be otherwise easily funded. Aimed to reduce the economic challenges of brightening our communities, the RFP’s goal is to eliminate slums and impoverished communities.
The Downtown Development Revolving Loan Fund
The goal of the DD-RLF is to revitalize the many downtowns of Georgia, aiding cities and counties in the caring of historic building and the construction of projects which enhance their historic aesthetic.
The Neighborhood Stabilization Programs
NSP1 and NSP3 are designed to provide relief to the foreclosure crisis. By providing aid to purchase foreclosed and abandoned properties, construction for revitalization can begin, creating a more productive and effective communities infrastructure.
Georgia Economic Development Programs
As Georgia undergoes great community revitalization efforts, economic funds, initiatives, and programs related to great-Georgia-construction are also offered. Some of these funds and programs include:
The Georgia Downtown Renaissance Fund
The GDRF aids small business construction and development, as well as historic preservation and public improvement, in Georgia’s urban districts and downtown areas.
The State Small Business Credit Initiative
The SSBCI provides a hefty $1.5 billion to strengthen the foundations of small business and manufacturers. By reducing risk, the SSBCI promotes the construction of small, locally-owned business to serve as the center of Georgia’s economy and communities.
The Redevelopment Fund Program (for Economic Development)
Aims to promote downtown, commercial, and industrial revitalization through redevelopment and construction.
Regional Economic Assistance Projects
REAP aims to improve construction related tourist-based projects, in order to create jobs and revitalize the local tax-base.
Regional Economic Business Assistance
The REBA Program encourages business to expand and construct new locations within Georgia.
How Do Increased Development Efforts Impact Georgia Construction Law?
With Georgia providing such a comprehensive list of funding, programs, and incentives for community development and economic development, Georgia will be experiencing an exciting burst of construction in order to facilitate these revitalization efforts. This doesn’t even include all the improved housing efforts Georgia offers, like those for homeless and special needs housing, the HomeSafe program which provides support for foreclosures, and the many housing development programs that call for residential construction work.
It is imperative now, more than ever, that those involved with the Georgia construction process are familiar with the stipulations of Georgia construction law. In order to best beautify and improve the effectiveness of Georgia’s roads, communities, and residences, we must first ensure our construction sites are managed efficiently, insured by concise contracts, and overseen by the most expert construction attorneys. Construction law is precise, wide-reaching, and unyielding, requiring attention to budgets, schedules, environmental impacts, and safety. We must first build better construction project sites in order to build a better Georgia.
Georgia Construction Law and Construction Attorneys
To best ensure that our construction sites in our revitalization efforts are managed effectively, and completely efficiently, safely, and in a timely fashion, we should seek counsel from construction attorneys. Construction attorneys understand the intimate, inner workings of a job site, and have an expert knowledge of construction law. Construction attorneys ensure all contracts and codes are adhered to, while also defending/representing some of Georgia’s hardest workers should any unforeseen complications or conflicts arise. Construction attorneys make sure our state is not necessarily polluted, they make sure our hard-working contractors are taken care-of.
As the programs, and initiatives, of Georgia’s community and economic developments begin to grow, and as construction starts, compliance is essential. If you are seeking funding from any of the above programs or initiatives, you may also want to seek advice from a construction attorney. A construction attorney will help you best understand construction law and the finer nuances of a construction project, like: what the site requires, how to budget for the project, and how to draft an effective contract.
Before you pursue a revitalization project, be sure to freshen-up on Georgia’s Construction Codes, including both the mandatory and permissive codes.
The success of Georgia construction law requires an absolute adherence to the construction law and all the codes and regulations within it. Consider a construction attorney to help you development the smartest, most effective plans for Georgia’s community and economic developments.
