You hire a construction company to build your dream home. They do, it passes inspection, and you move in.
After a time, however, you start to notice some issues with your house. Are these issues defects or just normal wear and tear? How long should you realistically expect things to last before repairs are needed?
Time does take a toll on every building
Wear and tear is often defined as damage that is reasonably expected to a building over time. Things break down and wear out. You need to replace and upgrade systems.
The issue is when this seems to be happening too quickly. For instance, if you have a roof that is rated for 30 years, and you start to see leaks in the first year, that’s a defect at some point. There’s no way that you should already be seeing these issues.
There are exceptions. Maybe a major storm came through and caused damage that falls outside of that reasonable expectation. The construction company can’t predict everything, but they should give you a roof that will last under normal conditions.
One question you need to ask is whose fault the defect is. Perhaps the company that manufactured your shingles did not do a quality job. They were installed correctly, but they still allow water damage to occur in the house. On the other hand, perhaps the shingles are in perfect condition, but the roofers did not overlap them properly, so water is getting below. That type of defect falls on the roofing company and/or the construction company at large.
If you believe you’re dealing with a construction defect, take action
Serious construction defects impact your quality of living and the value of your property. You need to know what type of legal action you can take. Don’t hesitate to speak with an experienced advocate about your situation. If a construction defect is affecting your home, you only have a limited time to act.
