Common defects in home construction

On Behalf of | Oct 4, 2018 | Uncategorized |

Your North Carolina construction company takes pride in its work, and you find satisfaction in building homes where the owners will raise families and make memories. You rely on the recommendations of your satisfied customers to keep your client base growing. When you or your subcontractors face accusations of doing substandard work, your business may falter.

No homeowner wants to spend time and money dealing with a construction defect that may place their belongings at risk as well as the health and safety of their families. Some defects are easy to see during an inspection, but others may not reveal themselves for months or even years after the homeowner has taken residency. If your company works with developers in building tract homes, you may be more susceptible to these kinds of defects. Most construction defects fall under the categories of design, materials and workmanship.

Design flaws

When you receive a set of plans from an architect or engineer, those plans supposedly take into consideration every aspect of the project. If those plans have flaws or if your company fails to follow those specifications, the project may have serious defects in any of the following areas or others:

  • The security of the foundation footings
  • Electrical, HVAC or plumbing systems
  • Protection from water seepage or drainage

Design defects can be very expensive to remedy.

Defective materials

The design specifications may also include instructions for the proper materials to use for the best results. However, even if your company follows those guidelines, you may not be aware that the products you use for the project are insufficient or flawed. Even those materials that have passed inspections and tests may allow a home to suffer damages, including the following items, to name a few:

  • Windows that leak
  • Roof shingles that separate or deteriorate
  • Concrete that flakes or pits

Material defects can also include the installation of materials that your workers damage during construction, such as a bent window frame.

Poor craftsmanship

The skill and care of your workers is of primary importance. The highest quality design and materials will not amount to much in the hands of careless or untrained employees. Workmanship defects can include the following:

  • Not following designs or manufacturer instructions
  • Inadequately preparing subsurface
  • Improperly installing weatherproofing systems

Water intrusion is the cause of about 65 percent of construction defect complaints. Water intrusion can cause immediate damage as well as extensive long-term damage, mold and rot.

The nature and cause of construction defects is not always obvious, and if your company faces these accusations, you have every right to seek legal counsel. An experienced attorney will have the resources to investigate the defect and build a strong defense.

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