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Sven Mieke, Unsplash

Seyfarth Synopsis:  As of January 1, 2026, AB 889 bulldozed California’s Prevailing Wage law, which impacts public works employers—including public agencies, the contractors that work for them, and private owners and developers whose projects may be subject to public works requirements. The amended law reframes the calculation of fringe benefits for individuals who work on public works project and mandates annualization of such benefits, demolishes the practice of frontloading these benefits, and requires employers to maintain inspection-ready records of compliance.   

Continue Reading Breaking Ground On New California Public Works Prevailing Wage Requirements
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Artificial intelligence and advanced digital tools are no longer experimental on construction projects. In Q1 of 2026, we can already see how they are already influencing schedules, estimates, submittals, safety reporting, and day‑to‑day project documentation. As peak construction season approaches, many teams are accelerating adoption of AI to gain efficiency.

Continue Reading AI & Digital Tools on Construction Projects: Contract Risks to Address Before Peak Season
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Since 2019, we have strived to bring our readers practical, useful insights on recent trends shaping our industry. Whether you are a contractor, designer, developer, attorney, or industry professional, our goal is to equip you with the knowledge to navigate your business with that much more confidence. We are honored that “The Construction Seyt” has been named by FeedSpot as a “Best Construction Blog” to follow for 2026. 

Click here to learn more.

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Property owners, contractors, and others dealing with mechanics and materialmen’s liens in Georgia should keep an eye on HB 676, which is currently making its way through the Georgia General Assembly. The bill aims to curb misuse of the lien process and provide additional remedies to those challenging a frivolous lien filing.

Continue Reading Georgia HB 676: A Bill Property Owners and Contractors Should Watch
Dar Es Salaam Port Harbour
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Volatile U.S. tariff announcements continue to affect international supply chains for U.S. construction projects. Although recent litigation has centered on the scope of presidential tariff authority rather than construction‑specific disputes, these decisions carry important implications for how parties structure risk in their contracts. In May 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) struck down certain “Liberation Day” tariffs as exceeding presidential authority under IEEPA. A federal district court in Washington, D.C. likewise issued a preliminary injunction suspending related tariffs—though it later stayed its own order pending appeal. And the Supreme Court has agreed to review cases addressing the legal limits of IEEPA‑based tariffs.

Continue Reading Managing Tariff Volatility in Cross‑Border U.S. Construction Projects: Practical Contract‑Drafting and Procurement Strategies
Building Site
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By April 18, 2026, New York construction litigation will operate on a faster—and far less forgiving—timeline. The Avoiding Vexatious Overuse of Impleading to Delay (the “AVOID Act”), signed into law on December 19, 2025, fundamentally rewrites third‑party practice under CPLR § 1007 by imposing strict deadlines to bring subcontractors, suppliers, and other responsible parties into a case.

Continue Reading The AVOID Act: A New Timeline for Liability in New York Construction Projects
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Lala Miklós, Unsplash

Retention has long been a contentious issue in California construction. Traditionally, owners withheld retention of 10% from each progress payment until completion, arguing it was necessary to ensure performance, quality and timely delivery. Contractors and subcontractors, however, often struggled with cash flow, payroll, and material costs while waiting months—sometimes even years—for withheld retention.

Continue Reading California’s Retention Reform on Private Construction Projects

On Friday, February 20, 2026, Brenda Radmacher and Jay Houghton will present a live webinar to the Beverly Hills Bar Association (BHBA). Their presentation, “SB 440 and the Fair Payment Act: What Construction Lawyers Need to Know for 2026,” is based on their recent Daily Journal article and will explore key developments under SB 440 and the Fair Payment Act, with a focus on how these changes will impact construction lawyers, payment disputes, and compliance considerations in the year ahead.

The program is presented by BHBA’s Construction Law section, that provides a specialized forum for attorneys to network and gain insights into the complexities of construction-related legal issues. The session is approved for 1.0 hour of General MCLE credit in California, with reciprocity available in Alaska, Hawaii, North Dakota, Connecticut, New York, and Vermont. Attorneys may also be eligible to self-apply for MCLE credit in additional jurisdictions.

Register Here

The city of angels under construction
Frames For Your Heart, Unsplash

The Daily Journal published an article on December 11, 2025 by Brenda Radmacher and Jay Houghton: “How California’s Fair Payment Act will reshape construction disputes in 2026.” The piece discusses California’s new Private Works Change Order Fair Payment Act, which will apply to private construction contracts entered into on or after Jan. 1, 2026.

Radmacher and Houghton detail why the act matters, what it covers, and its enforcement related provisions and subcontractor protections. They offer insights on how contractors and owners can prepare for the new law.

“The Fair Payment Act will have a significant impact on how private construction projects proceed when payment- and time-related disputes arise. The more prepared you are for these changes, the more effectively you can utilize the provisions and protect against the adverse impacts of any missteps.”

The full article is available here.

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One of the earliest issues to decide on a hospitality renovation abroad – whether it’s a branded resort in Europe, a hotel in Asia, or a mixed-use property in Latin America – is the selection of the appropriate project contracts.  The design and construction contracts in wide use in the US are sometimes appropriate for adaptation for use abroad.

Continue Reading Adapting Standard Construction Forms for Use in Overseas Hospitality Renovations