Construction deficiencies are a significant issue in some projects. These are frustrating no matter which side of the matter you are on. One thing that must be done as soon as you realize that there’s a problem is to explore your options to address the situation.
Some problems are fairly common in construction projects. These can impact residential and commercial projects, so you should be vigilant no matter what type of project you have going on.
Deficiencies in materials
Material deficiencies can lead to serious problems with a building. It is imperative that contractors only use quality materials not only because of the structural integrity but also because the clients deserve what they paid for.
Many building materials undergo testing before they’re used in construction. These carry an approval from either the International Conference of Building Officials or the American Society for Testing and Materials.
The issue with defective materials is that they sometimes are not obvious right away. It may take something like a window leak or a crack in a wall to alert you that there is an issue. By this point, repairing the problem could be a costly and time-consuming endeavor.
Deficiencies in design
Designing a building takes a lot of work. You have to deal with the actual building design, but there’s also the matter of planning the plumbing, electrical and other similar systems. Not only does this have to make sense from a design standpoint, it also has to meet all applicable codes.
The design phase of a new build usually takes considerable time because different components are planned and then go through an approval process. There are times when things might have to be corrected.
For the property owner, the issue comes in when the design is poorly handled. Any issues, even as seemingly minor as a door that’s slightly out of place, can lead to serious problems. In some cases, design defects can slow the entire project down. They can also require that certain parts of the project are redone.
Many construction contracts have specific guidelines for handling disputes. Make sure you understand this before you act on a dispute. In many cases, you’ll be limited to using an alternative dispute resolution method, such as arbitration, to settle issues between the property owner and the contractor. There are times when things may be resolved without having to go through this if the contractor and property owner can work together.