Texas leads the nation in construction activity, with residential and commercial projects reshaping skylines from Houston to Austin to Dallas-Fort Worth. That volume generates disputes. Payment failures cascade through contractor and subcontractor tiers. Defective work surfaces months or years after completion. Project delays ripple through financing and lease commitments. The legal framework governing these issues ranks among the most complex in any state.
Texas mechanic’s lien laws contain strict notice requirements, tight deadlines, and technical traps that invalidate otherwise legitimate claims. The Residential Construction Liability Act creates mandatory pre-suit procedures for homeowner claims. Payment bond requirements differ between public and private projects. Operating in this environment without experienced construction counsel risks losing rights that careful attention would preserve.
What Construction Law Attorneys Handle
Mechanic’s Liens and Payment Recovery
When payment fails, mechanic’s liens secure contractor and supplier rights against the improved property. Texas lien law requires preliminary notices, fund trapping language, and timely affidavit recording to maintain validity. Construction attorneys prepare and file lien documents monthly for contractors statewide, enforce valid liens through foreclosure, and remove invalid liens that cloud property titles.
Construction Defect Litigation
Defective workmanship, design flaws, and material failures create liability for builders, contractors, architects, and engineers. The Residential Construction Liability Act requires specific notice procedures before homeowners can sue, while commercial defect claims navigate different statutory frameworks. Construction attorneys prosecute and defend these claims through inspection, expert engagement, mediation, arbitration, and trial.
Contract Drafting and Disputes
Construction contracts allocate risk through indemnification provisions, consequential damage waivers, liquidated damages clauses, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Attorneys draft and negotiate agreements that protect client interests and interpret existing contracts when disputes arise. Delay claims, change order disputes, and scope of work disagreements frequently require legal resolution.
How to Choose a Construction Law Attorney
Board certification. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in Construction Law. Approximately 151 attorneys statewide hold this credential, indicating demonstrated expertise through examination and experience.
Published authority. Some construction attorneys have authored treatises, articles, or legal guides that courts and practitioners reference. Published work indicates depth of knowledge that informs practical advice.
Industry relationships. Attorneys who regularly represent contractors, owners, architects, or specific industry segments understand the practical realities beyond legal theory. Ask about their typical client base and project types.
Litigation and transaction balance. Some matters require aggressive trial lawyers; others need skilled negotiators or transactional drafters. Ensure the attorney’s experience matches your need.
Texas Construction Law Attorneys
Lovein Ribman, P.C.
Location: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin (statewide practice)
Website: https://loveinribman.com
Phone: (888) 368-2483
Robert Lovein and Elana Ribman co-authored Texas Construction Law and Practice, the leading legal treatise on the subject published by LexisNexis. Two firm attorneys hold Board Certification in Construction Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. The firm represents homeowners, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in residential and commercial disputes throughout Texas, handling hundreds of mechanic’s lien filings monthly.
Practice Focus: Mechanic’s lien preparation, filing, and foreclosure; residential and commercial construction defect litigation; contract drafting and disputes; payment bond claims; invalid lien removal
Gauntt Koen Binney & Kidd, LLP
Location: Dallas and Houston, Texas
Website: https://www.gkbklaw.com
Phone: (972) 630-4620
For more than 25 years, this firm has handled resolution of residential and commercial construction disputes. Their attorneys handle construction defect claims, payment disputes through the contractor tier system, and mechanic’s lien matters for property owners and contractors alike. The firm emphasizes risk management services including contract review and operational procedure assessment to prevent disputes before they arise.
Practice Focus: Construction defect claims, payment disputes and collections, mechanic’s lien filing and defense, contract negotiation, risk management consultation
Andrews Myers, P.C.
Location: Houston, Texas (statewide practice)
Website: https://www.andrewsmyers.com
Phone: (713) 850-4200
Ben Westcott, Board Certified in Construction Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, leads the firm’s construction practice as Co-Managing Shareholder. The firm represents general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and owners on substantial projects including schools, sports facilities, airports, petrochemical plants, and highway projects. Experience spans payment disputes, scheduling claims, design defects, mechanic’s liens, and performance bond matters.
Practice Focus: Commercial construction disputes, delay and scheduling claims, mechanic’s lien litigation, performance and payment bonds, public works projects, contract drafting and negotiation
Costs and Fees
Construction law fee structures vary by matter type. Mechanic’s lien preparation and filing typically costs $500 to $1,500 for straightforward claims. Contract review and negotiation may proceed at hourly rates of $250 to $500 or flat fees depending on complexity. Litigation matters generally require hourly billing, with construction litigation rates ranging from $300 to $600 per hour depending on attorney experience and case complexity. Some firms handle construction defect cases on contingency for homeowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a mechanic’s lien in Texas?
Deadlines depend on your role and project type. Original contractors on residential projects must file within the 15th day of the third month after completion. Subcontractors and suppliers face earlier deadlines and preliminary notice requirements. Commercial project deadlines differ. Missing these deadlines forfeits lien rights entirely.
What is the RCLA and how does it affect my construction defect claim?
The Residential Construction Liability Act requires homeowners to provide written notice to contractors at least 60 days before filing suit, describing construction defects in reasonable detail. The contractor then has opportunity to inspect, offer repair, or propose settlement. Failure to follow RCLA procedures can limit recoverable damages and attorney fees.
Can I file a mechanic’s lien on a homestead property?
Yes, but with significant restrictions. Liens on Texas homesteads require that the contract was signed by both spouses (if applicable), that specific statutory warnings were provided in the contract, and that the work constitutes an improvement rather than mere repair in many cases. Invalid homestead liens expose filers to liability for removal costs.
This directory provides general information about construction law attorneys in Texas. It does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Construction law involves complex statutory requirements with strict deadlines, and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult directly with a qualified construction law attorney about your specific situation.
Last Updated: January 2026
Disclaimer: This directory is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice, endorsement, or recommendation of any attorney or law firm. Information about attorneys and law firms was compiled from publicly available sources and may not be current or accurate. We make no representations or warranties about the qualifications, experience, or quality of any attorney listed. Fee estimates are approximations only and actual costs may vary significantly. Always verify attorney credentials with the State Bar of Texas, confirm current contact information, and conduct your own due diligence before hiring legal counsel. No attorney-client relationship is created by use of this directory.