Homeowners dissatisfied with the quality of construction work initiate disputes by submitting a notification of potential concerns to the appropriate contractor. If you are a contractor who receives such a notice, nothing can happen – from a legal standpoint – until you have assessed the alleged defect. If you determine the issue may have been caused by work carried out by you or someone on your team, you can take the necessary steps to fix the problem and avoid any potential legal action. You may also prevent the owner from filing a lawsuit by concluding the construction defect was not caused by you or your crew. But what happens if the property owner disputes your assessment?
Proving Culpability in Construction Defects
You are an expert in construction. There’s a strong chance you can tell if an issue was your fault by looking at it. However, your opinion may only go so far. Compiling the evidence and testimony that damage and injuries caused by a defect are often much more complex. You may need to provide records such as:
- Work orders
- Employee rosters
- Records of materials used
- Vendor lists
- Photos of completed work
- Dates of completion
While gathering this documentation may be challenging, it is necessary to demonstrate the quality of your work and lack of culpability.
You Need Skilled Attorneys
A skilled legal team is your most important ally when facing allegations that a construction defect was caused by your firm. Since construction disputes can be time-consuming, costly, and damaging to your brand, you need to hire a firm with a strong track record for resolving these matters for clients swiftly and favorably.