It starts with a dark cloud on the horizon. The crew may be already on-site, with tools in hand, and ready to pour concrete or install roofing. Then the sky opens up—heavy rain, hail, or winds that make working conditions unsafe or downright impossible. In North Texas, this isn’t a rare event. Weather can change quickly, and when it does, construction projects feel the hit.
Deadlines shift. Materials sit unused or damaged. Crews are rescheduled. And suddenly, everyone’s looking at the contract to figure out who’s responsible for the delay—and who’s footing the bill.
Common Weather Challenges in North Texas Construction
North Texas doesn’t play around when it comes to weather. One week, it’s blazing hot with triple-digit temperatures. The next, a surprise storm rolls through with driving rain, lightning, or damaging hail. And while forecasts help, they’re not always enough to prepare a construction site for sudden disruptions.
Heavy rain is a major culprit. It can:
- Make excavation sites inaccessible
- Wash out freshly installed and compacted foundation material
- Leave standing water that halts progress for days
Wind and hail pose safety risks and can damage structures mid-build. Extreme heat can shut down job sites to protect workers from heat-related illness. Even short delays can snowball—subcontractors get booked elsewhere, inspections are pushed back, and time-sensitive materials may go to waste.
When these challenges hit, the contract becomes the playbook for what happens next.
Force Majeure and Weather Clauses in Construction Contracts
Most construction contracts include a “force majeure” clause—a kind of legal safety net for events outside anyone’s control. Weather usually falls under that umbrella. But here’s the catch: not all force majeure clauses are created equal.
Some contracts mention “acts of God” and move on. Others list specific weather events but leave out what happens if a project is delayed because of them. That’s where the real problems start.
A firm contract goes further. It should spell out:
- What types of weather events qualify as a delay
- Whether the delay entitles a contractor to more time, money, or both
- How and when notice must be given
- What documentation is required to support the delay claim
Without this clarity, even a passing storm can spark a serious contract dispute.
Documenting and Proving Weather Delays
When weather delays a job, it’s not enough to say it rained—you’ve got to show it. Good documentation can make or break a claim.
That includes:
- Photos and videos of site conditions
- Daily logs showing what was scheduled and what got postponed
- Official weather reports and radar screenshots
Documentation should be consistent and timely. If it’s incomplete or submitted too late, it may not hold up under scrutiny. When it comes to proving a delay, clear and organized records are your best defense.
Resolving Disputes Over Weather Delays
Even when the skies clear, the fallout from a delay can linger—especially if there’s a disagreement over who’s responsible. One party might argue the delay was unavoidable. Another might claim it could’ve been prevented. Without clear contract terms, both sides may dig in.
Sometimes, these disputes get resolved through informal negotiation. Other times, mediation or arbitration is required under the contract. And if that doesn’t work, litigation may be on the table.
Whatever the route, the sooner you address the issue, the better. Waiting too long or relying on unclear contract terms can turn a manageable delay into a costly legal battle.
How Ryan G. Cole Law Can Help You
Weather may be unpredictable, but your contracts don’t have to be. Whether you’re preparing for a new build or dealing with a delay that’s already happened, we help you take control of the legal side. That means reviewing or drafting contract language that actually works in real-world conditions—and stepping in when a delay turns into a dispute.
We’ve worked with contractors, developers, and property owners throughout North Texas on construction matters big and small. We know how quickly the weather can turn a project sideways, and we’re ready to help you protect your time, your money, and your peace of mind.
Call Today to Talk About Your Construction Contract
If weather has thrown your project off course—or you’re looking to prevent that from happening—now’s the time to act. Reach out to Ryan G. Cole Law for a consultation. We’ll review your situation and help you move forward with clarity.