Construction defects can severely damage a project or diminish the value of a home or building. Property owners should understand who may be liable for construction defects and the damages they may be able to receive to help them.
Who is liable for construction defects?
There are a variety of different parties commonly involved in a construction project that may be liable for construction defects. Who may actually be liable may depend on the specific situation and circumstances the homeowner or property owner is left facing. Parties that can be responsible for construction defects can include:
- General contractors;
- Developers;
- Builders and sub contractors;
- Architects;
- Designers; and
- Engineers
Damages available for construction defects
Like who may be liable for construction defects, the damages available also depends on the specific situation and circumstances but, in general, damages available for construction defects can include the cost of repairs and the decrease in value of the home or structure that results because of the construction defects. Damages may also include the loss of the use of the property during repairs to remediate the construction defects; the cost of temporary house; and other damages as well depending on the circumstances and where the claim is being filed.
Liability for construction defects is important to understand because they can unexpectedly alter the value of the structure and frustrate the intended use of the property for the owner. They can also be complex and costly to fix. For that reason, property owners impacted by construction defects should be familiar with the legal remedies and resources available to them.
