Just because a building finished construction does not mean you are immediately ready to find occupants for your property. For property owners, it helps to check your property after completion and confirm that it is free from construction defects, lest you encounter a lot of trouble later.
Common construction defects
Construction defects may occur in many ways, but they usually belong to these categories:
- Design deficiencies. These usually occur when design professionals disobey building code specifications, such as when they make flawed roofs.
- Material deficiencies. These happen when builders use low-quality materials, such as concrete that cracks easily.
- Construction deficiencies. Such defects happen when builders use subpar methods during construction, such as improperly sealed walls.
- Subsurface deficiencies. These defects often occur when builders begin construction without establishing a solid foundation.
Construction defects are not always immediately visible, so it is generally wise to inspect your property in the company of a professional, such as an engineer.
Repercussions for construction defects
As a property owner, you should not ignore construction defects, no matter how negligible they might seem. For example, a water leak may be a significant issue considering Florida’s climate, and it may lead to moisture-related problems over time. Such a mistake could lead to mold and pest infestations in the future, or it may damage furniture and objects inside the building. Furthermore, the damage may worsen and become a more significant issue later.
Repairing certain defects might be costly enough already, but your potential expenses may soar if you fail to find and address the issue promptly. If the defects cause property damage, you might spend even more on repairs and replacement.
Finally, construction defects may lead to legal trouble if they cause injuries to your building’s tenants. Depending on certain factors, the court may hold you partly responsible if the injured party can prove that you knew about the defect but failed to do something or warn about it.
In any case, the law about this matter is complex. If you need guidance regarding your rights, it would help to seek legal assistance.