George Strait Jr. Lawsuit Settled, Construction Dispute Resolved After 7-Month Mediation and What Homeowners Must Know About Contract Disputes
As of February 2026, George “Bubba” Strait Jr. and his wife Tamara have successfully resolved a construction lawsuit with Build Modern, a San Antonio-based construction firm, following seven months of private mediation. The case, filed in May 2025 in Kendall County, Texas, involved disputed payments for home renovation services totaling more than $100,000. A judge signed off on the dismissal in early January 2026 after Build Modern owner David Robertson formally withdrew the lawsuit, stating all claims had been resolved. The terms of the settlement remain confidential, and neither party has publicly commented on the agreement.
What the George Strait Jr. Lawsuit Involved and Who Filed It
Build Modern owner David Robertson filed the lawsuit on May 5, 2025, in Kendall County District Court, naming George Strait Jr., Tamara Strait, Heritage Oaks Trust, and trustee Kalyn Carroll as defendants. The lawsuit arose from a home remodel project at the Straits’ Texas Hill Country residence that Build Modern claimed resulted in unpaid invoices and contract termination before completion.
According to court filings, Build Modern was hired in September 2024 to perform renovations on a recently purchased Boerne home, with Tamara Strait serving as the primary point of contact for the project. The renovation was expected to cost $221,225 and was originally scheduled for completion by November 1, 2024. Build Modern alleged the couple failed to make several scheduled payments and ultimately terminated the contract in December 2024 after the project exceeded its deadline.
The construction company sought at least $57,000 for unpaid construction services and $67,662 in remaining contractual balance, totaling $124,662. Build Modern also requested reimbursement for lawsuit costs and exemplary damages to be determined by a jury.
Legal Claims Filed and Allegations Against the Straits
Build Modern’s lawsuit accused the defendants of multiple civil claims: breach of contract, conspiracy, unjust enrichment, and quantum meruit (a legal principle requiring payment for services rendered even without a formal contract). Tamara Strait was specifically accused of fraud and statutory fraud.
The lawsuit alleged Tamara Strait made several decisions that delayed the project’s completion. These included ordering backordered cabinets not scheduled for delivery until December 2024, changing her mind about flooring material after partial installation and ordering its replacement, hiring her own electrician against Build Modern’s advice (which allegedly caused delays and additional unquoted work), and directly hiring Build Modern’s air conditioning subcontractor to avoid paying Build Modern for upgrades.
Build Modern claimed the project delays were caused by the Straits’ decisions, not the construction company’s performance. The lawsuit alleged that by December 2024, payments had fallen behind schedule, and Build Modern continued work only based on Tamara’s “repeated misrepresentations that total payment would be made in the near future.” The company accused the Straits of colluding with Heritage Oaks Trust to terminate the contract because the project exceeded the November 1 deadline, despite Tamara being “fully aware” of the updated timeline.
January 2026 Settlement After Private Arbitration
The Straits’ attorneys quickly invoked a clause in the construction contract requiring mediation or arbitration before litigation could proceed. On June 3, 2025, a judge ordered the parties into private arbitration, shifting the dispute out of public court proceedings. This arbitration requirement is common in construction contracts and designed to resolve disputes more quickly and privately than traditional litigation.
The mediation process lasted approximately seven months, from June 2025 through January 2026. In early January 2026, Build Modern filed a notice of withdrawal with the court, stating: “[Build Modern] and all defendants have resolved all claims between them at this time, [Build Modern] no longer wishes to pursue his claims against all defendants, Tamara Strait, George Strait Jr., and Heritage Oaks Trust, through its trustee, Kalyn Carroll.” A judge signed the dismissal order on January 8, 2026.
Representatives for both parties declined to comment on the settlement terms when contacted by MySA. The confidential nature of the agreement means the public will not know whether the Straits paid the full amount Build Modern sought, a reduced amount, or whether other non-monetary terms were included in the resolution.
What You Must Know About Construction Contract Disputes
Why Mediation Clauses Matter in Construction Contracts
The Straits’ ability to force the case into private arbitration rather than public litigation demonstrates the power of contractual dispute resolution clauses. Most modern construction contracts include mandatory mediation or arbitration provisions requiring parties to attempt private resolution before filing lawsuits. These clauses benefit both parties by reducing legal costs, speeding up dispute resolution, and keeping details confidential.
In Texas civil litigation, mediation typically involves a neutral third-party mediator who facilitates negotiations between the parties. Unlike arbitration, mediation is non-binding—parties must agree to any resolution. If mediation fails, the case can proceed to arbitration (if required by contract) or litigation. The seven-month mediation period in the Strait case is relatively typical for complex construction lawsuits like dr-horton involving six-figure amounts and multiple allegations.
Common Legal Claims in Construction Disputes
Build Modern’s lawsuit illustrates the typical claims contractors make against homeowners in payment disputes. Breach of contract occurs when one party fails to fulfill contractual obligations—here, allegedly failing to make scheduled payments. Quantum meruit allows contractors to recover the reasonable value of services provided even if the contract was terminated, preventing homeowners from receiving completed work without payment.
Unjust enrichment claims argue that defendants received benefits (completed renovation work) at the plaintiff’s expense without paying, making it unjust for them to retain those benefits. Fraud claims are more serious, requiring proof that a party made false representations intending to induce reliance, causing damages. In this case, Build Modern alleged Tamara Strait made false promises about future payments to keep the company working.
Conspiracy claims require proof that multiple parties agreed to commit an unlawful act or lawful act by unlawful means. Build Modern alleged the Straits and Heritage Oaks Trust conspired to terminate the contract improperly to avoid payment.
What to Do Next If You’re Facing a Construction Dispute
Where to Find Legal Resources for Construction Contract Issues
Homeowners facing construction disputes should understand their rights and options before litigation begins. The Texas Residential Construction Commission provides resources on contractor licensing, dispute resolution, and homeowner rights at trcc.texas.gov. The Texas State Bar offers referrals to construction litigation attorneys through texasbar.com.
For disputes involving amounts under $20,000, Texas Justice Court (small claims) may provide a faster, less expensive resolution than district court litigation. Cases exceeding $20,000 must be filed in county or district court, where legal representation is highly recommended given the complexity of construction law.
Many construction disputes can be resolved through pre-litigation negotiation or mediation without filing lawsuits. If your contractor filed a lawsuit against you—or if you’re considering suing a contractor—consult with a construction litigation attorney immediately to understand your rights, review your contract terms, and evaluate settlement options.
When Legal Advice Helps in Construction Payment Disputes
Several situations warrant consultation with a construction attorney. If a contractor threatens to file a mechanic’s lien (a claim against your property for unpaid work), immediate legal advice is critical because liens can prevent property sales and damage credit. If you’re being sued for unpaid construction costs, an attorney can review whether you have valid defenses such as defective workmanship, breach of contract by the contractor, or failure to obtain required permits.
Homeowners considering withholding payment due to defective work should consult an attorney first. Texas law allows homeowners to withhold payment for deficient work, but doing so without proper documentation and legal grounds can expose you to breach of contract claims. Document all issues with photographs, written communications, and inspection reports before withholding payment.
If your construction contract contains arbitration clauses like the Strait case, understand that you may be required to attempt private resolution before accessing courts. An attorney can review whether the arbitration clause is enforceable and advise on strategy for mediation or arbitration proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is George Strait Jr. and why was he sued?
George “Bubba” Strait Jr. is the son of country music legend George Strait. He was sued alongside his wife Tamara by Build Modern, a San Antonio construction firm, over disputed payments for home renovation services. The lawsuit alleged the couple failed to pay over $100,000 for work performed on their Texas Hill Country home in Boerne and terminated the contract before completion.
What was the George Strait Jr. lawsuit about?
The lawsuit involved a construction payment dispute over a home remodel project. Build Modern claimed it was hired in September 2024 to renovate the Straits’ Boerne home for $221,225, with completion expected by November 1, 2024. The company alleged the Straits made decisions causing project delays, failed to make scheduled payments, then terminated the contract in December 2024 after the deadline passed, leaving over $124,000 unpaid.
What legal claims were filed against George Strait Jr. and his wife?
Build Modern accused both Straits and Heritage Oaks Trust of breach of contract, conspiracy, unjust enrichment, and quantum meruit. Tamara Strait was specifically accused of fraud and statutory fraud. The lawsuit alleged she made false promises about future payments to keep Build Modern working while planning to terminate the contract to avoid full payment.
What is the current status of the lawsuit as of February 2026?
The lawsuit was fully resolved and dismissed in January 2026 after seven months of private mediation. Build Modern filed a notice withdrawing all claims on January 8, 2026, stating all parties had resolved their disputes. A judge signed the dismissal order, officially closing the case. The settlement terms remain confidential.
What damages was Build Modern seeking?
Build Modern sought at least $124,662, including $57,000 for unpaid construction services and $67,662 in remaining contractual balance. The company also requested reimbursement for lawsuit costs and exemplary (punitive) damages in an amount to be determined by a jury. The actual settlement amount remains undisclosed due to confidentiality agreements.
Why did the case go to private mediation instead of trial?
The Straits’ attorneys invoked a mandatory mediation or arbitration clause in the construction contract, which required the parties to attempt private dispute resolution before proceeding with litigation. A judge ordered private arbitration in June 2025, moving the case out of public court proceedings. This clause is common in construction contracts and allows disputes to be resolved more quickly and confidentially than traditional trials.
Disclaimer: This article provides legal information about the George Strait Jr. construction lawsuit but does not constitute legal advice for any specific situation.
Next Steps: If you’re facing a construction lawsuit dr-horton or payment dispute with a contractor, consult a construction litigation attorney to understand your rights, review your contract, and explore resolution options before the situation escalates.
Stay informed, stay protected. — AllAboutLawyer.com
Last Updated: February 2, 2026
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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