Comments? Suggestions? Text the show here!
Every construction project starts with a contract—but not all contracts are created equal. If you overlook critical details or skip negotiation, you could face unexpected liabilities, payment delays, and disputes that stall progress. Poor contract management can lead to financial setbacks, strained relationships, and missed opportunities for future projects.
So, how can you identify risks before signing?
What strategies help you negotiate fair terms?
And how can you protect your interests while keeping projects on track?
My guest today is Megan Shapiro. She is a Risk Management Strategist, Construction Attorney & Founder of Construction Contract Coach. After litigating construction disputes for nearly 15 years, Megan is now taking everything she's learned and teaching construction leaders how to Do It Like A Lawyer.
Through her workshops and coaching programs, Megan offers actionable strategies for negotiation, persuasion, contract review, and strategic communication. Drawing on her years of representing subcontractors, owners, GCs, and everything in between, she empowers construction leaders to win more projects, eliminate claims, and maximize profits—all while reducing risk and helping leaders adopt a lawyer’s mindset to succeed in business.
We discuss: (timestamps)
03:03 Contracts for construction and remodeling businesses
05:37 Key points for general contractors and subcontractors
08:36 Indemnity explained in simple terms
11:43 Managing contract defense costs
13:10 Remedies for breach of contract
14:32 Subcontractor liability for issues like water leaks
16:53 Risks in prime contracts for general contractors
17:16 When to consult your broker on contracts
21:37 Fixing non-compliant contracts in ongoing projects
22:51 Working with brokers on problematic contracts
23:59 Reasons insurance claims get denied
28:16 Negotiating contract terms as a subcontractor
31:04 Examples of subcontractors negotiating better terms
33:57 Defining late provisions and liquidated damages
35:31 Reducing contract risks for subcontractors
37:34 Preventing problems from poorly managed contracts
40:53 Addressing supply chain and labor shortage risks
42:20 Options for subcontractors in bad contracts
43:44 Actionable steps to take to improve your contracts
Resources:
Megan Shapiro, Risk Management Strategist, Construction Attorney & Founder, Construction Contract Coach
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/constructioncontractcoach/
Free Negotiation Style Quiz:
https://meganshapiro.ck.page/81045b49f1
Free resources on Megan’s Website:
https://meganshapiro.com/free-resources
Kathy Svetina, Fractional CFO:
https://www.newcastlefinance.us/
Blog post | Industry Deep Dive - Construction: Practical Strategies for Managing Construction Contracts
Is your growth causing financial headaches? Sales up, but profits lagging? Financial practices stuck in entry level mode?
Don't worry, it's not you—it's your financial setup.
Introducing NextGen Finance Blueprint by NewCastle Finance. This CFO-led roadmap: • Brings fuzzy finances into focus • Gives you a clear money pict
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.