The Rise of Modular Construction: Emerging Commercial & Legal Issues

Nov 16, 2016 - An upcoming webinar hosted by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), jointly presented with the American Bar Association Construction Forum, the Modular Building Institute and the National Institute of Building Sciences Offsite Construction Council (OSCC), will cover a variety of unique commercial and legal issues in industrial, commercial and residential modular construction. “WebEd: The Rise of Modular Construction: Emerging Commercial & Legal Issues,” is scheduled for Friday, November 30, from 2:00 – 3:00 pm ET.

A panel of three speakers, including Sue Klawans, Chair of the OSCC and Vice President-Director, Operational Excellence & Planning at Gilbane Building Company; Tom Hardiman, Executive Director of the Modular Building Institute and OSCC Vice Chair; and Lee Davis, Partner at Sutherland Asbill & Brennan, will discuss a number of issues during the one-hour webinar. These issues include the different application of building and safety codes; new concerns about contract drafting; and legal codes or doctrines that may apply to modular construction in ways different from traditional construction, including the application of the Uniform Commercial Code, products liability law, statutes of limitations and statutes of repose. The panel will also address modular construction issues relating to insurance coverage, liens and prompt payment statutes.

The presentation also will focus on the schedule and cost realities of modular construction. There are so many potential advantages to the application of modular construction in an urban environment, including increased quality control, shortened schedule, labor savings, cost savings and improved site safety. It sounds ideal—especially considering current skilled labor shortages—so what could go wrong? The panelists will share their experiences with modular construction across multiple industries and discuss the consequences of when the plan goes wrong and the possible implications of building modular in urban environments.

Attendees will learn how modular construction can save time and money; comprehend how the law governing modular construction can be surprisingly different from projects built onsite; and understand particular risks associated with modular construction.

Architects who complete the webinar will be eligible to receive a learning unit (LU) from the American Institute of Architects.

To attend the webinar “WebEd: The Rise of Modular Construction: Emerging Commercial & Legal Issues,” sign up now.

About the National Institute of Building Sciences

The National Institute of Building Sciences, authorized by public law 93-383 in 1974, is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization that brings together representatives of government, the professions, industry, labor and consumer interests to identify and resolve building process and facility performance problems. The Institute serves as an authoritative source of advice for both the private and public sectors with respect to the use of building science and technology.