If you’ve found a problem with your home caused by how it was built, your entire investment in your house is at risk. An improperly laid foundation can jeopardize the entire structure, for example. A poorly installed roof can cause extensive water damage.
North Carolina homeowners have time deadlines for bringing an action related to a construction defect in their home. Generally, that deadline is three years from when the defect is discovered or should have been discovered. That may sound like a lot of time, but you will need to prepare evidence to document your claim. Contacting an experienced construction defect lawyer can shorten the time needed to create your claim.
Discovering who is responsible for the defect
Start by identifying what’s wrong with the house and the cause of that defect. Construction defects fall into four general categories:
- Design deficiencies caused by faulty design directives from architects or engineers
- Material deficiencies caused by substandard or defective building materials
- Construction deficiencies caused by poor building techniques
- Subsurface deficiencies caused by improperly building a foundation on a property with challenging soil conditions
Multiple factors can create a construction defect. That can make it challenging to identify its source. Serious damage from leaky pipes could result from to a design flaw in the plumbing layout, the use of substandard pipes, or improper installation of the pipes – or all three. A construction defect attorney can uncover the causes of the problem, as well as protect you from allegations that your inability to maintain your property caused the damage.
Damages you can claim for a construction defect
The damages you can potentially recover in a construction defect lawsuit include the cost of the repairs, the home value you lost, and potentially costs for the inconvenience of having to move out during repairs. Legal fees are rarely recoverable but your construction can always try to include these in a settlement. If the construction defect led to an illness or injury and you can prove negligence, you may be able to additionally pursue a personal injury lawsuit.
Construction defect claims often require the help of an attorney. But recovering the losses to your home or your health are worth it.
