As readers of this blog know, we post routinely on construction law and litigation, including construction defects. Indeed, in a prior post, we fully examined the most common construction defects. In this post, we will examine how to avoid this and broader construction litigation: inspections.
Inspect, inspect, inspect
If you are financing your new build, your finance company likely requires periodic inspections. It does this to, hopefully, avoid construction defects, ensure that local building codes are followed and avoid other issues during construction. Even if the lender has its own inspectors, it may also be a good idea to have your own.
At the design stage
Prior to initiating construction, you will have plans drafted by your architect and engineer. Do not just trust them. Get a second opinion. Improperly designed buildings and systems can cause major issues, even if the highest quality materials and construction techniques are used.
Material selections
Be specific about the materials and fixtures you want. Inspect them often, and make sure what you want is actually used. Sometimes, your contractor may need to make changes, and have conversations with them on what quality and types are acceptable. Inferior building materials can also destroy a building’s purpose and longevity.
Building techniques
Throughout the build, your inspector should visit the project. This should be done multiple times, and before major completion milestones, like after erection, plumbing, etc. Even if the city inspects something and approves it, your inspector should approve it as well. This will ensure someone with your best interest at heart approved.
Do not forget about subsurface inspections
Soil conditions can very from location to location, and the type of building and materials used can change how the subsurface preparations are done. These preparations can affect proper drainage and foundation stability. Do not forget to have the subsurface preparations inspected as well.
Unfortunately, there is no way to 100% alleviate the risk of Florida construction litigation. However, by inspecting everything and having independent third parties approve as well, you can mitigate the chance of litigation
