Originally published to the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce on August 11, 2026

Ending a construction contract can trigger significant legal and practical consequences for owners and contractors. This article examines the risks that can arise when project participants decide to terminate or separate, including the differences between mutual separation, termination for cause, and termination for convenience. It also highlights the importance of following contractual notice requirements, addressing key terms before separation, and involving counsel early to avoid costly disputes over payment, warranties, subcontract assignments, completion costs, liens, liquidated damages, and other project impacts.

Read the full article here.

Photo of Colm Nelson Colm Nelson

Colm Nelson represents public owners, private owners and developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, brokers and lenders in a wide variety of construction transactions, construction litigation, procurement and real estate matters. He has more than 10 years of experience in the construction…

Colm Nelson represents public owners, private owners and developers, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, design professionals, brokers and lenders in a wide variety of construction transactions, construction litigation, procurement and real estate matters. He has more than 10 years of experience in the construction industry and negotiates complex construction and design contracts for public and private owners. Colm represents clients in disputes over bid protests, construction defects and property damage, extra work and delay claims, errors and omissions in design documents, tenant improvements, breach of warranty, insurance coverage against insurance companies and mechanic’s liens. He also has substantial experience handling procurement issues for public, quasi-public and private entities and related projects with respect to construction, services and goods.

Click here for Colm Nelson’s full bio.