When you ask most North Carolina homeowners what they know about construction defects, they may mention a leaky roof or a cracked foundation. While these are among the common types of defects found in homes, they are far from the only ones.
If you discover something wrong with your home, would you suspect that it was due to a construction defect? Would you know how to find out and know what to do thereafter? If you cannot answer these questions with any confidence, you are not alone. The information below could help give you a place to start.
What other types of defects are common?
Other than those mentioned above, the list below highlights some defects that occur often:
- Faulty drainage
- Mold
- Dry rot
- Electrical and heating issues
- Problems with electrical systems
- Water issues
- Problems with soil and landscaping
Another common defect that would more than likely readily lend itself to a construction defect is the structural failure of your home. You may have no choice but to repair the damage in order to remain in your home. Keep good records and document as much as you can for the filing of a claim.
What could cause these and other defects?
During the construction, repair or remodeling of your home, those involved should have taken steps to ensure that one or more of the following did not occur:
- Poor site selection and planning
- Improper analysis and preparation of the soil
- Structural and civil engineering errors
- Defective or substandard building materials
- Negligent construction
As you can see, that burst water pipe or faulty electrical system may have more behind it than just bad luck.
What can you do about it?
The first step is to determine whether the cause of the issues with your home resulted from a construction defect. This will more than likely require the help of the appropriate experienced third parties. If you confirm your suspicions, the potentially liable parties need identifying. From there, you may attempt to work out the matter with them outside of court.
If that doesn’t work, then you may need to employ a different tactic. It may be time to file a lawsuit. You will need to provide evidence to the court regarding the defect and the responsible party or parties. If the court rules in your favor, it will then make a ruling about damages. You will also need to provide evidence for this as well. As you can see, addressing a construction defect has many moving parts. Fortunately, you do not have to go through the process alone.
