You hire a professional contractor to build your house or remodel it because you want someone who understands the safety aspect of the building, as well as someone with the experience to make the project aesthetically pleasing.
Complying with the building code is one of the more important parts of a contractor’s job. They have to use the right materials to create a structurally sound edifice or addition. They also have to use materials that meet safety guidelines and your personal standards, as outlined in your contract.
Unfortunately, there are always professionals willing to break the law to make just a little bit more money. What can you do if you discover that a contractor used unsafe or illegal materials in your home?
You can hold a contractor responsible for inappropriate materials
There are numerous rules about what kind of materials a company can use in a residential construction project. For example, most building products with asbestos in them are no longer allowed in residential settings. Even removing them may require special certification and incur hazardous material waste disposal costs.
Unfortunately, if a business already has a stock of unsafe materials, they might use that roll of linoleum with asbestos in it in your home. They might also use wood that is not of a strong enough grade to provide structural support for your home or cut-rate materials that start to fall apart within weeks of you assuming occupancy.
Any of these kinds of issues could lead to you paying money to fix the problem at the same time that you lose resale value in the property. If you can show that the contractor used inappropriate materials that are either unsafe or not what you paid for, then you may be able to take them to court for their misconduct.
What resolutions are available?
There is more than one potential solution that could work in a construction defect claim involving dangerous materials. A judge could order the contractor to redo the work at their own expense. They may also award you damages for the cost of repairing the property.
Reviewing your contract and documenting the condition of your property will be important first steps toward civil litigation when you discover a significant construction defect.
