Texas Public Works Bond Claim Case

A recent case, brings good news for material suppliers and subcontractors. The Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of an unpaid supplier regarding statutory and common law claims, even though the unpaid material supplier missed their bond claim deadlines. In Dealers Electrical Supply Co. v. Scoggins Construction Co. Inc., 2009 WL 1901638, Slip op No. 08-0272 (Tex. July 3, 2009), an electrical subcontractor on a bonded public-works project walked off the job and left his parts supplier, Dealers, unpaid. The supplier missed the McGregor Act deadline to pursue a claim on the bond, but filed suit against the prime or general contractor for violation of the Texas Construction Trust Fund Act and breach of a separate Joint Check Agreement.

At trial, it was held that the prime contractor's president violated the Trust Fund Act by failing to pay the supplier, and had guaranteed the payment of the supplier’s materials under a Joint Check Agreement, and was therefore liable. The court of appeals reversed incorrectly ruling that that the McGregor Act was the supplier’s exclusive remedy. The Texas Supreme Court disagreed, holding that the McGregor Act is the unpaid laborer and materialman's exclusive remedy against the payment bond but does not otherwise limit their other statutory and common-law claims. Dealers Electrical Supply Co. v. Scoggins Construction Co. Inc., 2009 WL 1901638, Slip op No. 08-0272 (Tex. July 3, 2009).

Part 4: Texas Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors: Prime Contracts Over $25,000.00 & Retainage

Like in private construction projects, in Texas public works projects, general contractors hold back part of the contract price until the subcontractor fulfills the contract as “retainage.” The amount withheld is a percentage of the total contract price, often around 10%. The retained money is supposed to be paid to the subcontractor after the public works contract (the contract between the governmental entity and the general contractor) is completed. If the general contractor does not pay the retained money, the subcontractor can file a lawsuit to collect on the payment bond; however, the subcontractor must first meet the notice requirements.

The subcontractor must give notice to the general contractor and surety on or before 90 days after final completion of the public works contract. The notice must include the amount of the contract, any amount paid, and the outstanding balance. Tex. Gov’t Code § 2253.046. The notices must be mailed by the proper method and to the proper addresses.

Once again, sending the notices timely, to the correct people, and with the correct content is crucial to perfect a claim retainage.

Texas law governing public projects can be found in Texas Government Code Chapter 2253 (formerly known as the McGregor Act) and Texas Property Code Chapter 53.

Please visit our blog again in a few days for Part 5: Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors: Prime Contracts Over $25,000.00 & Rights to Information.

Part 2: Texas Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors: Prime Contracts Less Than $25,000.00

As noted in Part 1 of this series, in most cases, subcontractors on Texas public projects who have not been paid by the general contractor may make a claim under Texas law on the payment bond posted by the general contractor. However, when the general contractor’s contract with the public entity is less than $25,000.00, the general contractor is not required to post a payment bond. Consequently, when the contract is less than $25,000.00, subcontractors have limited lien rights. The lien in Texas attaches to money due to the general contractor. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.231).

To assert a Texas lien, the subcontractor must give notice to both the general contractor and the appropriate public official. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.232). Subcontractors must ensure that they strictly comply with notice deadlines and content requirements or they risk not perfecting their lien. The subcontractor must give the notice before any payment is made to the general contractor and not later than the 15th day of the 2nd month following the month in which the work was performed or the material furnished. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.234). The notice must contain specific information relating to the labor performed or materials delivered. The notice must include (1) the amount claimed; (2) the name of the party to whom the materials were delivered or for whom the labor was performed; (3) the dates and place of delivery or performance; (4) a description reasonably sufficient to identify the materials delivered or labor performed and the amount due; (5) a description reasonably sufficient to identify the project for which the material was delivered or the labor performed; and (6) the claimant's business address. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.233). The notice must also be accompanied by a sworn statement that the amount claimed is just and correct and that all payments, lawful offsets, and credits known to the affiant have been allowed. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.233). Failure to comply with any of the notice requirements may result in loss of the lien.

When the Texas public official receives notice, he should retain from the money due to the general contractor enough to pay the claim for which the notice was given. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.233).

A general contractor in Texas may file a bond with the public entity to release the lien and obtain the money withheld. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.236). The subcontractor must sue on the bond within 6 months after the bond is filed. (Tex. Prop. Code § 53.239).

Please visit our blog again in a few days for Part 3: Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors: Prime Contracts Over $25,000.00.

Texas law governing public projects can be found in Texas Government Code Chapter 2253 (formerly known as the McGregor Act) and Texas Property Code Chapter 53.

Part 1: Texas Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors

For the next couple of weeks we will be posting a series of blogs relating to Texas Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors. Construction or improvements to public property in Texas are commonly referred to as public construction, public works contracts, or public projects. Some examples of public property are schools, courthouses, hospitals, highways, and bridges. On public projects, a subcontractor provides materials or labor to a general contractor whose contract is with a public entity. Unlike private property projects, a subcontractor in Texas cannot place a lien against public property due to nonpayment. Consequently, in order to protect their interests and increase their odds of receiving payment in full, subcontractors must be aware of the process and deadlines specific to public projects. In most cases, subcontractors on public projects who have not been paid by the general contractor may make a claim on the payment bond posted by the general contractor. A payment bond is a bond posted by the general contractor for the protection of subcontractors and sub-subcontractors. In more limited circumstances, subcontractors may have limited lien rights in money owed to the general contractor.

Please visit our blog again in a few days for Part 2: Texas Public Works Construction Projects & Subcontractors: Prime Contracts Less Than $25,000.00.

Texas law governing public projects can be found in Texas Government Code Chapter 2253 (formerly known as the McGregor Act) and Texas Property Code Chapter 53.