Owner, general contractor, sub, or design professional dealing with a delay claim, payment dispute, defective-work allegation, change-order fight, mechanic's lien, or Chapter 93A demand on a Boston-area project? The firms below handle public and private construction disputes across Massachusetts state and federal courts, AAA arbitration, and the bid-protest process at the Attorney General.
Updated December 4, 2025
Greater Boston has been one of the most active construction markets in the U.S. for over a decade. The Seaport build-out, the Kendall Square life sciences boom, Allston-Brighton mixed-use, Boston Common-area redevelopment, multiple MBTA rebuilds, the Sumner Tunnel reconstruction, Logan Airport modernization, and a continuous run of biotech and lab projects across Cambridge, Boston, Watertown, and Waltham generate steady volume of construction disputes. The Boston construction bar grew alongside that pipeline.
Boston construction lawyers handle six recurring fact patterns. First, payment fights — a GC or sub hasn't been paid, payments have been wrongfully withheld via setoff or backcharge, or a pay-when-paid clause is being invoked. Second, schedule and delay claims — productivity, acceleration, weather, owner-caused delay, concurrent delay, and the often-disputed allocation of float. Third, defective work allegations — what counts as a defect, who pays for warranty work, and whether design or construction is the source. Fourth, mechanic's lien practice under M.G.L. c. 254 — strict 90/60/30-day deadlines for the Notice of Contract, Statement of Account, and complaint to enforce. Fifth, M.G.L. c. 93A demand letters and lawsuits — Massachusetts's consumer protection statute applies to business-to-business construction conduct and adds double or treble damages and fee-shifting. Sixth, public construction — DCAMM certification, filed sub-bids, Chapter 149 and Chapter 30 § 39M issues, and bid protests through the Attorney General's Bid Unit.
Massachusetts adds a few project-specific layers. The Massachusetts Prompt Pay statute (M.G.L. c. 149 § 29E) tightens payment deadlines on private commercial construction projects of $3M and up. The Massachusetts Tort Claims Act limits recovery against public entities. Indemnity provisions are tested against M.G.L. c. 149 § 29C, which bars certain broad indemnity language. Statutes of limitations and repose require careful attention — the Massachusetts statute of repose (M.G.L. c. 260 § 2B) extinguishes construction tort claims six years after substantial completion, with limited exceptions.
Engage Boston construction counsel before signing the contract, not after the dispute. The biggest leverage on a Boston project is at contract negotiation: scope, schedule, pay-app procedures, retainage, change-order mechanics, dispute-resolution clauses, choice of law, and insurance/indemnity. A focused contract review costs less than the first month of a construction dispute.
New England regional firm with a substantial Boston office. One of the largest construction practices in the Northeast, representing owners, public entities, design professionals, general contractors, subcontractors, and sureties. Strong on complex disputes, public construction under Chapter 149 and Chapter 30 § 39M, and major project counseling. Frequent appearances on AAA and JAMS construction panels.
Boston construction-focused firm. Tier 1 construction practice in U.S. News/Best Lawyers Boston rankings, with national and regional awards. Strong representation of owners, GCs, subs, and design professionals across the full lifecycle — from contract drafting and risk allocation through bid protests, mechanic's liens, payment, schedule, and defect litigation. Pragmatic mid-market alternative to the largest national firms.
National construction-only firm with substantial Boston presence. The firm offers integrated legal support across construction and infrastructure projects, including government contracts and complex disputes. Strong for large GCs and construction managers handling multi-jurisdictional projects, P3 work, and substantial public construction in the Northeast.
National defense litigation firm with Boston office. Construction and Design Law section handles A&E defense, sub and GC disputes, and complex construction defect cases. Mid-market hourly rates relative to the largest Boston firms.
Northeast regional firm with a Boston office and a large national construction practice. Strong on energy and infrastructure projects, real estate development construction, public-private partnerships, and significant private-sector disputes. Frequent counsel for institutional owners, REITs, and developers active in Greater Boston.
Contract review and negotiation (AIA / ConsensusDocs / custom). $3,500-$25,000, depending on contract size and complexity. The most cost-effective dollar a construction client spends.
Mechanic's lien filing & enforcement. Notice of Contract through enforcement complaint: $5,000-$25,000. Litigation to judgment: $50,000-$200,000.
Chapter 93A demand letter and response. $3,500-$15,000 for a focused demand or response. Substantially more if it triggers litigation.
Construction arbitration / litigation (typical commercial dispute). $75,000-$500,000 through award or judgment. Bigger cases with schedule or productivity expert work routinely exceed $1M.
Public bid protest (Chapter 149 / 30 § 39M). $10,000-$45,000 through Attorney General Bid Unit decision.
Hourly rates. Mid-market Boston construction: $395-$795. Top-tier: $625-$1,100. Many Boston firms will discuss alternative fee structures on discrete phases (e.g., contract review, mediation prep).
Mechanic's lien deadlines: 90 days from last work for Notice of Contract (or 60 days from Notice of Substantial Completion, whichever is earlier). 30 days later for Statement of Account (subs). Enforcement complaint within 90 days of Statement of Account recording.
Chapter 93A demand letter: 30-day response window before suit may be filed.
AAA Construction arbitration: 12-24 months from demand to award for a typical commercial case. Hearings usually 5-15 days.
Massachusetts Superior Court construction case: 18-30 months from filing to trial.
Public bid protest at the AG: usually decided within 14-30 days.
Statute of repose: 6 years from substantial completion for tort claims against design and construction professionals (M.G.L. c. 260 § 2B).
Tell us briefly about the project and the dispute. We route a confidential request to the best-fit Boston firm in our directory.