Court rules in contracting dispute

Thursday, April 29, 2004 | 10:49 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Nevada Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a registered architect does not need a contractor's license to provide construction management services.

The court overturned a ruling by District Judge Lee Gates, who had dismissed a lawsuit brought by Christopher Kourafas against Basic Food Flavors Inc. in Clark County.

The court said the underlying dispute over non-payment of a fee should go to trial for a jury to decide.

Kourafas designed a building for Basic Food in North Las Vegas and he said he had a contract to manage construction. He said Basic Food agreed to pay Kourafas 10 percent of the cost of the construction project for his management work.

Kourafas said he was not paid and he filed suit. Gates dismissed the suit on grounds Kourafas did not allege he was a licensed contractor in the complaint.

The Supreme Court, in its unanimous decision, said the law provides the practice of an architect includes construction management. It said the law provides: "An architect is authorized to collaborate in the construction project through completion of the structure."