Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

In July 2005, the Company executed a sale-leaseback transaction in which it sold an office building for $2.1 million and entered into a ten year lease agreement. The Company, at its option, can extend the lease for two additional five year terms. Scheduled increases in monthly rent are included in the lease agreement.

The sale of the office building resulted in a gain of $562,000 which has been deferred and amortized over the life of the lease. The Company recognized approximately $56,000 in each of the years ending December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  Rent expense under this agreement was $172,620, $170,219, and $168,504 for each of the years ending December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

In 2005, the Company entered into a lease agreement for vehicles under a continuing operating lease agreement. Rental expense under this lease for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 was $4.6 million, $3.6 million, and $2.1 million, respectively.

The Company leases its corporate office in Houston, Texas under a lease with an initial term of nine years.   In addition, the Company leases other facilities, including office space and yard facilities, under terms that range from one to five years.  The Company also leases short-term field office space at its various construction sites for the duration of the projects.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows:

	Amount
Year ended December 31,
2012	$	4,619
2013	2,800
2014	1,672
2015	721
2016	293
Thereafter	223
	$	10,328

Litigation

From time to time the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.  These actions typically seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses, or injunctive or declaratory relief.  With respect to such lawsuits, the Company accrues reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company does not believe any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.