In a previous post, we discussed how devastating it can be for both commercial developers and homeowners to see their investment of time, money and energy into a building project thwarted by serious construction defects that compromise its overall value and structural integrity.
In today’s post, we’ll continue our discussion of construction defects, which most courts will classify according to one of four groupings: material deficiencies, design deficiencies, construction deficiencies and subsurface deficiencies.
What are construction deficiencies?
In general, construction deficiencies can be attributed to what is commonly known as poor quality workmanship. In other words, the parties responsible for building a structure fail to do so in a manner consistent with industry best practices, resulting in significant defects.
To illustrate, a builder may not properly protect against water intrusion in a portion of the structure such that massive and costly mold growth occurs. Similarly, a builder’s less than stellar efforts may result in the incorrect installation of electrical components, leaking pipes, vermin infestation and other assorted mechanical problems.
What are subsurface deficiencies?
The first step in any construction project is building a strong foundation. While this may seem like a relatively straightforward concept, it can sometimes prove to be a challenging prospect in certain areas of the country with expansive soil conditions.
The failure to lay a solid and stable foundation can, of course, have disastrous consequences, including cracked foundation walls and floor slabs, and other major structural damage.
Similarly, the failure to properly compact and prepare a subsurface for proper drainage can also result in disastrous consequences, including the moving or shifting of the building, improper settling, flooding and even landslides.
Future construction law posts will continue to examine this important topic in greater detail. Remember a skilled legal professional can outline your options, protect your rights and fight for justice if you believe that a project has been compromised by a construction defect.
