September 2025

An informative e-newsletter for the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan.

The Benefit of Incorporating Price Escalation Clauses in Construction Agreements

Construction

By J. Christian Hauser, Esq., Frasco Caponigro Wineman Scheible Hauser & Luttmann, PLLC

Unanticipated price escalations in construction projects have taken on greater relevance since the Covid-19 pandemic. Inflation in product and material costs due to shortages and supply chain interruptions, coupled with the recent imposition of tariffs on imports have led to unprecedented uncertainly and volatility in the costs of materials. This has resulted in significant reductions in project scope and/or size, or in some instances, entire projects being put on hold due to budgetary constraints.

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Legislative Report

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Register Today

Real Property Law Academy II

Grand Rapids

L.V. Eberhard Center
Grand Rapids, MI
October 7 & 8, 2025
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Metro Detroit - Troy

Michigan State University-Management Education Center
Troy
April 29 & 30, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Before September 15, 2025
$220 (Individual)
$100 (Law School Student)

After September 15, 2025
$250 (Individual)
$130 (Law School Student)

Program

Real Property Law Academy I Recording & Materials now Available

Program took place in September, 2024 in Grand Rapids and May, 2025 in Troy

$220 (individual)
$100 (Law School Student)

Real Estate Outlook 2026

Detroit Athletic Club
November 6, 2025
Breakfast: 7:30 a.m.
Speaker: 8-8:45 a.m.
Roundtables: 8:45-9:45 a.m.

Paul Traub, Economic Consultant for Act Research will present economic outlook

Registration to come

Join a Committee!

Take the opportunity to get involved by writing for one of our publications, presenting at a conference or seminar, or joining one of the committees that cover virtually every area in real estate law. See our committees and how you can join or see the committees you're already subscribed to.

Note to Committee Members:
Communication settings for RPLS Special Committee members have been changed to "Daily Digest." This means when a message is posted on your Committee page, you will receive the message the day after it is posted.

Write an Article

Interested in writing an article for the e-Newsletter? Contact co-editors Samuel Kilberg at SKilberg@dykema.com or Glen Zatz at gzatz@bodmanlaw.com.

Can't remember where you saw that e-Newsletter article? Check the e-Newsletter article index.

We are also looking for suggested authors and topics for the Michigan Real Property Review. Please contact Chair-Elect, Leslee Lewis at llewis@dickinson-wright.com for suggested topics and ideas.

The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of the authors, and they do not reflect in any way the positions of the State Bar of Michigan or the Real Property Law Section. These columns are meant for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. IRS Circular 230 Disclosure: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by any person for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties or (ii) promoting, marketing, or recommending to another person any transaction or matter addressed in this communication.