As a general contractor, there is a strong possibility that you will have to deal with complaints from clients. There is also a good chance a client may threaten legal action if you do not resolve the issue promptly to their satisfaction.
What a client may fail to realize is that just because you were the general contractor, that does not automatically make any issue your fault or your responsibility to resolve.
Others who may be held responsible
Construction defects can result from multiple sources. These include:
The architect: If you carried out work according to the plans you were given and a defect still arose, then it’s possible that there was an issue with those plans. An architect may have made a mistake in their calculations or choices.
The client: Clients are not always as well informed as they believe about how a construction project will work. They might, for instance, demand a particular material without realizing the true nature of that material. For example, they request a specific wood, not realizing that it will turn darker once varnished.
The material supplier or manufacturer: You install a heating system and then get a complaint about it not working properly. The client assumes you made an error when installing it, but what really happened was the unit arrived with a fault that only made itself known some time after the installation. The manufacturer or perhaps the supplier may be the ones responsible for this.
Discovering the true cause of a construction defect can take time, but a client may put you under considerable pressure to resolve the situation immediately. Seeking legal guidance can help you understand your options, especially if you believe the defect is not your fault.
