Your home is likely the biggest investment you will ever make, and when you buy a home that has clear defects, it can be incredibly frustrating. At the end of the day, construction work that was done right and to the highest standards will stand firm while contractors that took shortcuts will be held accountable. Whether you recently bought a home or hired a crew to make improvements to your current residence and they have not delivered, we can help make it right.
We can help homeowners as well as condominium associations, owners of apartment complexes, developers, contractors, homebuilders, and others who find themselves in the midst of a construction defect battle.
The Seriousness Of Construction Defects
Certain defects can cause serious injury and health problems to those living or working in the structure. Using unapproved or underrated materials can lead to exposure to harmful chemicals, if the home is not properly sealed then water can leak in and cause mold to grow, and unsafe electrical practices can result in injuries. Other defects can cost the property owner a lot of money to fix or bring up to code. For this reason, it is important that anyone involved in the construction process, from the architects and engineers to the contractors and subcontractors, hold up their end of the deal, perform tasks to the highest standards, and avoid costly lawsuits for all parties involved by ensuring quality in their work.
Types Of Construction Defects
There are many types of construction defects a property owner can experience. Below, we go into detail about just a few of these. In some cases, it is easy to find which party is responsible for the defects. Other issues, though, involve a little investigating. At the end of the day, you want your property to be safe and the contractors or suppliers you work with want to maintain their business’s reputation. However, coming to an agreement by which those who are responsible are held as such, and you get the quality construction that you paid for is no easy task and requires the help of a skilled, tough construction defect litigation like those at Alex Hernandez Business Law.
- Poor Workmanship: If contractors cut corners when building your home, you might notice problems weeks, months, or even years later. For example, if they poured a bad foundation, you might find your entire home tilting in the coming years with early warning signs including leaking windows or doors that do not close properly.
- Bad Materials: While some construction defect claims are against the engineer or contractor who worked on your home, sometimes you need to go back to the supplier. Examples of bad materials that can lead to defects are waterproofing membranes, bad drywall used in bathrooms or other high humidity rooms, lumber that has not been treated to resist water damage, or windows that leak even when installed correctly.
- Water Damage: Water damage is one of the most costly home repairs, and if your home experiences a water intrusion due to poor workmanship, you will want to contact a construction lawyer to assist your case. If your contractors didn’t properly seal or caulk your home, used the wrong type of material, or did not follow proper installation of siding or roofing, you could have a case on your hands.
- Toxic Mold: If your home has a mold problem due to a bad ventilation system, shoddy construction, bad materials from the supplier, or other preventable problem, you could have a lawsuit against the contractors, engineers, or architects responsible.
- Contractor or Subcontractor Negligence: These are instances in which the contractor or subcontractor acts in a negligent way that results in a construction defect or injury that could have otherwise been avoided. They may also be liable if they knowingly misrepresent their ability to perform certain tasks, the quality of the materials they are using, or the experience of their crew.
Other Construction Related Legal Problems That Require An Experienced Attorney
Of course, there are countless ways a property owner and parties involved in construction can become entangled in issues. There are the defects listed above, as well as issues like abandoned or delayed construction projects, breach of contract or warranty, code violations, or safety violations.
Before You Sign Contracts
Before you have any work performed on your property, you should ensure you are working with a reputable contractor who is fully licensed and insured. On top of that, be sure to read any contracts thoroughly to ensure that if your contractor does not hold up their end of the deal, they can be held responsible and you are not unknowingly waiving your right to pursue legal action.
If you are unsure about the terms of a construction contract, be sure to get in touch with our law firm today. We can go over the terms outlined in the contract and if we feel it is an unjust agreement, we can negotiate new terms on your behalf.
We Are Your Construction Defect Lawyers
As your experienced team of business lawyers, we have a vast amount of experience settling claims for those involved in legal battles over a construction project. Whether you are the owner of an apartment complex or just had your very first home built from the ground up, you need to make sure you have a qualified team on your side in case something goes astray. Get in touch today to see how we can help you!
