As a construction company or independent contractor, it’s possible to have to face a variety of disputes. One of the most common kinds of disputes that may cause people to take construction companies and independent contractors to court is the allegations of construction defects. If a construction defect is not dealt with promptly, then there can be serious repercussions to a company’s or independent contractor’s finances and reputation.
There are many kinds of construction defects. It can help to learn about the different kinds of construction defects when handling a dispute. Here’s what you should know:
4 kinds of construction defects
A construction defect can be caused by rushed workmanship, failure to follow construction codes and poorly designed materials. There are four categories of construction defects:
- Design defects: Buildings and systems typically require the assistance of architects and engineers. These professionals are often hired to design blueprints. When these designs don’t follow building codes or there are fundamental issues, then there could be unsafe defects.
- Material defects: A project’s budget often affects the materials used. An inferior or subpar material could cause stability issues, leaks and foundation damage. Damaged materials, such as rotted lumber or rusted bolts could cause material defects.
- Construction defects: The execution of a project is just as key as the design. If workers rush a project, then a project could have major construction defects.
- Subsurface defects: A sturdy building requires a solid foundation. Before a project begins, the foundations should be surveyed for any underlying issues. If a building is constructed on an unstable foundation, then the project could suffer from subsurface defects.
It’s important that construction companies and independent contractors understand what kind of defects led to a dispute and who the potentially responsible party was. A company or contractor may need to reach out for legal help and learn how they can create a strong defense against a construction defect dispute.