If you own a home then you probably depend on it to be a safe place for you and your family. If you own commercial real estate, then you probably expect that the structures you utilize are fit for their intended purposes. While many construction companies and subcontractors adhere to law, regulations, and applicable standards, there are a lot that don’t. Those who cut corners in the construction of these structures can render them defective, which means that you could be left on the hook for thousands, but oftentimes tens or hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions, of dollars in repair costs.
Types of construction defects
This is unacceptable. If correcting your structure is going to cost you money and you can attribute the flaw to a defect in the construction process, then you might be entitled to compensation for your losses. When addressing these cases, there are four main types of construction defects that might justify legal action.
- Design defects: These types of defects can affect many aspects of your structure, including poor drainage and bad structural support. But it can also occur when the design leads to a building code violation that is costly for you to correct.
- Material deficiencies: Here, a contractor and/or subcontractor utilizes subpar materials that lead to structural damage. This is oftentimes seen when bad materials lead to leaking, which can cause significant water damage and toxic mold.
- Construction deficiencies: Your structure should have been built properly, but if it wasn’t then you can face a whole host of issues. You might have moisture issues or a cracked foundation that disrupts structural integrity. Electrical problems can arise, too, which can lead to a dangerous situation in your building.
- Subsurface deficiencies: Your structure needs a solid foundation to remain viable. When the subsurface is improperly compacted, then your structure can shift and/or sink, which can cause extensive damage.
What does this mean for you?
Depending on your circumstances, you might not be responsible for the costs associated with repairing or even rebuilding your structure. However, in order to recover the compensation to which you are entitled, you might have to engage in construction litigation, which oftentimes involves multiple parties and can quickly become quite complicated. This is why you need a legal advocate on your side who is not only experienced in handling these types of cases, but is also knowledgeable about every facet of construction, including the materials and practices utilized from start to finish. Fortunately, those attorneys stand ready to assist you.