Andrew Douglas, P.A., Florida Construction Law Attorney

04/10/2026

How to Contest a Florida Construction Lien Without Making Costly Mistakes

A Florida construction lien can create immediate problems for a property owner. It can delay a sale, interfere with refinancing, disrupt a draw request, and add pressure to a construction dispute that was already difficult. If you need to contest a Florida construction lien, it is important to move carefully and strategically. A recorded lien is not automatically valid just because it appears in the public records....

How to Contest a Florida Construction Lien Without Making Costly Mistakes Florida Construction Law Attorney & Commercial Litigation Law Firm DouglasFirm

04/08/2026

Florida Commercial Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent: What Landlords Need to Know

When a commercial tenant stops paying rent, most landlords want the same thing: possession back as quickly as possible, with as little delay and expense as possible. A Florida commercial eviction for nonpayment of rent can move relatively fast, but only if the landlord gets the early steps right. Commercial tenancies in Florida are governed by Part I of Chapter 83, not the residential portion of the statute, and that distinction matters....

Florida Commercial Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent: What Landlords Need to Know Florida Construction Law Attorney & Commercial Litigation Law Firm DouglasFirm

04/01/2026

How Florida Property Owners Can Protect Against Construction Liens

Construction liens can create major problems for Florida property owners. Even when you pay your general contractor in full, a subcontractor, laborer, or supplier may still file a lien if they were not paid for work or materials provided to your project. For homeowners, commercial property owners, and developers, a construction lien can delay a sale, interfere with refinancing, cloud title, and even lead to a foreclosure action....

How Florida Property Owners Can Protect Against Construction Liens Florida Construction Law Attorney & Commercial Litigation Law Firm

03/06/2026

Florida Roommate and Subtenant Evictions: Who Can Evict Whom (and How)

Landlord-focused guide for Florida property owners and managers Roommate and subtenant disputes in Florida can derail an otherwise straightforward possession case because the key issue is not always “who’s causing problems,” but who has the legal right (standing) to remove whom—and whether the correct case type is eviction (Chapter 83) or unlawful detainer (Chapter 82). This Florida-specific guide walks landlords through the most common living arrangements, what notices apply, and how to choose the cleanest path to possession....

Florida Roommate and Subtenant Evictions: Who Can Evict Whom (and How) Florida Construction Law Attorney & Commercial Litigation Law Firm DouglasFirm

02/24/2026

How Much Should You Demand in a Demand Letter? A Practical Guide to Calculating Contract Damages

Most disputes don’t start in a courtroom—they start in an email thread that gets tense, a vendor who stops responding, or a customer who suddenly “has issues” only after the invoice is due. At that early stage, a demand letter can do what litigation often can’t: force clarity. It frames the facts, defines the legal basis, and—most importantly—puts a number on the table that the other side can take seriously....

02/20/2026

Florida Evictions: Can a Landlord File for Possession Only and Sue for Damages Later?

When a tenant defaults, most Florida landlords want two things: (1) possession back quickly and (2) money damages(past-due rent, accelerated rent, and/or property damage). A common question is whether Florida law allows you to split those goals into two separate actions—one case focused on possession, and a separate case later (or in parallel) for damages. Yes. Florida appellate courts recognize that eviction is designed to be a fast, possession-focused proceeding, and that monetary claims can be pursued separately....

Florida landlords can file an eviction for possession only and pursue unpaid rent, acceleration, and other damages in a separate action. Learn the pros/cons and key Florida case law.

02/18/2026

Acceleration Clauses in Florida Commercial Leases: Powerful Remedy, Not a Windfall

When a commercial tenant defaults, landlords often want to know one thing: Can I recover the rest of the rent for the lease term now—rather than month by month? In Florida, the answer usually depends on the lease. Acceleration is a powerful remedy when drafted correctly, but Florida courts also treat it with an important limiter: acceleration is not meant to produce a double recovery…...

Learn how acceleration clauses work in Florida commercial leases, why they must be contractual, and how courts avoid double recovery when the space is relet.

02/16/2026

Florida Roofer Contract Terms & Conditions: Key Clauses Every Roofing Company Should Include (and Update)

If you’re a Florida roofing contractor, your contract is more than a formality—it’s your playbook for getting paid, managing change orders, documenting delays, and preventing disputes. And because roofing projects often involve weather, material lead times, supplement negotiations, access issues, and punch-list disputes, your “terms and conditions” need to be written with real-world roofing problems in mind. Below is a practical checklist of provisions that should appear in a roofer’s contract (or your attached Terms & Conditions)....

Florida roofers: strengthen your roofing contract terms & conditions. Key clauses for payment, change orders, delays & warranty. Flat-fee review.

02/12/2026

Demand Letter vs. Filing Suit in Florida: When a Letter Helps—and When It’s Just Wasted Time

If you’re a business owner or commercial landlord trying to recover money owed, you’ve probably asked: Should I send a demand letter first… or just file suit? A well-written demand letter can resolve a dispute quickly and cheaply. But in the wrong situation, it’s just a delay that helps the other side stall, lawyer up, or move assets. This guide gives you a…...

Not sure whether to send a demand letter or file suit in Florida? Learn when a demand letter creates leverage, when it delays recovery, and the best “hybrid” approach.

02/10/2026

Florida Chapter 120 Hearings and the Uniform Rules (Rule 28-106) – DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS

A practical, guide for DBPR and other Florida administrative cases This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Administrative practice is deadline-driven and can be unforgiving—always verify the controlling notice, agency rules, and any case-specific orders. Why Chapter 120 matters Florida’s Administrative Procedure Act (APA)—Chapter 120—is the default playbook for how Florida agencies (including boards that regulate licensed professionals) make decisions that affect someone’s…...

02/06/2026

Florida DBPR Discipline, Step-by-Step

A comprehensive, guide to Fla. Stat. §§ 455.225 and 455.2255 (and how Chapter 120 fits in) This post is for general information, not legal advice. Every board (CILB, ECLB, FREC, etc.) layers its own rules and penalty guidelines on top of these baseline statutes, so the details can shift depending on the profession and the charge. Who this applies to (and why it matters)...

A comprehensive, guide to Fla. Stat. §§ 455.225 and 455.2255 (and how Chapter 120 fits in) This post is for general information, not legal advice. Every board (CILB, ECLB, FREC, etc.) layers its own rules and penalty guidelines on top of these baseline statutes, so the details can shift depending ...