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What qualifies as a construction defect?

On Behalf of | Apr 17, 2022 | Construction Contracts

Operating a construction business may come with difficulties you do not foresee until they appear. One is finding yourself slapped with a lawsuit revolving around defects in a building.

When faced with any lawsuit, your business may suffer. However, one that accuses you of shoddy workmanship may have long-lasting repercussions. To prepare yourself for this unfortunate situation, you may want to familiarize yourself with what exactly qualifies as a construction defect.

Was the design the problem?

A defect may come at the inception of the building and not the execution. Design flaws may sneak into even the most studied and reworked plans. These may also become the problem of the architect or engineer firms who created them. Design issues often trace back to a revision in the plans for one reason or another.

Did the materials fail?

The age of the project may have something to do with a material defect claim. This has to do with the materials used to build the structure. The breakdown or failure of materials may result in a defect claim well after a build is complete. Some construction companies find themselves in trouble if they cut corners to save money.

Was the workmanship to blame?

Some workers may decide to find a way around the building process to finish a job faster. Whether this is in response to pressure from above or something external, you may find this type of claim reflects poorly on you. Shoddy workmanship may include skipping proper installation procedures or using less of a material than the job calls for, such as two nails in a shingle versus four.

It is possible to overcome a construction defect lawsuit. One way to help is to keep detailed records of plans, correspondence, and directives on every job.