IF you have the right contracts in place from the start of any construction project, large or small, you will be much better protected against the kind of fallout contractors often suffer after the collapse of a development project.

If you think something might be amiss with what you’re being asked to sign, you’re probably right, so get it checked out, especially if you’re under pressure to act fast. Some caution, and an investment in good advice at the start, could pay dividends in the long-term.

Don’t pretend the problem doesn’t exist – face it so that you can deal with it, and you may even find that it isn’t as major as you feared.

I really appreciate the kick that construction projects give their developers and managers – I worked on site during my summer holidays so I know how satisfying it is to build something. I love great architecture and I always take pride in my contribution when I see a development in which I’ve played a small part.

It’s vital, especially when dealing with complications, to focus on the issues involved, rather than getting side-tracked by the personalities. We all find some people easier than others to work with, but if you can keep the facts separate from the characters, that does help.

There is never only one way of dealing with a problem – the key is to combine the right legal outcome with commercial solutions which work for the people and businesses involved. Then you achieve a balance between what people need and what they want, much as a successful construction project does.