How to Sue a Home Builder When Something Goes Wrong

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New home construction can be a risky proposition. From issues with the blueprints to delays, it’s not uncommon for something to go wrong. Home builders must check all the boxes and meet all the standards, but that doesn’t always happen. To make matters worse, when things go wrong during new home construction, there is no single entity that you can hold accountable. There are many different contractors involved in the process and each one of them has their own insurance policy that covers their liability for damages. This makes it very difficult to get fair compensation and justice when things don’t go as planned. If you want an insight into how to sue a home builder when something goes wrong, read on...

The most common issues in home construction

There are many risks involved in new home construction. If the blueprints are faulty, the contractor may not be able to finish the job. Also, they may not be able to finish the job in a timely manner. Delays in construction can be very costly and have been known to happen due to weekends and holidays. If there is heavy rain or snow, a roofer may not be able to finish their work. However, the schedule remains the same, unless the roofer has the option to delay the job. In that case, you might have to wait for the weather to clear up again. If the materials used during construction are faulty, they will not hold up over time. They may also not be suitable for the type of environment you live in. For example, you may be living in an area with a lot of moisture, but the contractor uses materials that don’t repel water.

Can you sue a home builder when something goes wrong?

The unfortunate truth is that you cannot sue a home builder when things go wrong. The home builder is only liable for the mistakes they make during the construction of your home if they are a general contractor. A general contractor bears complete responsibility for the construction of your home. They have signed a contract that promises to complete the job at a specific time and within a specific budget. When a general contractor is involved in the construction of your home, they are also required to provide workers’ compensation and liability insurance. Drywall contractors, painters, plumbers, and electricians are not required to provide you with any type of insurance. Therefore, if they cause damage to your home, you cannot sue them for the losses you incurred. You can, however, file a claim with their insurance policy.

Hold the Home Builder Responsible

Holding the home builder responsible for the damages their contractors caused to your home may seem like a lost cause. However, don’t give up just yet. There are many ways to hold the home builder accountable for the damages their contractors caused to your home. First, document every single instance of damage caused during the construction of your home. Take pictures of your home and the damage that was caused. Document the extent of the damage and write down your thoughts. This should help you to put the situation in the proper perspective. Next, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is a non-profit organization that helps to settle disputes between homeowners and home builders. The BBB may be able to help you to resolve the situation with the home builder. You can also file a complaint with your state’s Department of Consumer Protection. They may be able to help you to resolve this issue. They can also issue a warning to the home builder.

Go Through an Insurance Claim Process

Most contractors will have their own insurance policy to cover the damages their contractors caused to your home. You can file a claim with the contractor’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, contractors often attempt to shift the blame for the damages their contractors caused onto you. This is especially true if you were late on your payments. They may claim that you caused the damage and refuse to cover the losses. If that happens, don’t give up just yet. You can still hold the contractor accountable for the damages their contractors caused. Contractors are supposed to inspect the site regularly. They are also supposed to report any problems with their contractors. You can report the contractor for their negligence. You can also hold the contractor accountable for the damage their contractors caused if you have insurance coverage for the losses. Make sure that your insurance policy covers the damages caused by the contractor’s employees.

File a Lawsuit to Hold the Home Builder Liable

If the contractor won’t compensate you for the damage caused to your home, you can always file a lawsuit against the home builder. Be aware that you should do this as a last resort. It can be a very complicated process and it’s not cheap. Furthermore, it may take several years to complete. The first thing you should do is to talk to an attorney. They can advise you on how to proceed. It’s in your best interest to document everything that has happened. You should document all interactions with the contractor. This includes phone calls, emails, and letters. It’s also very important to talk to witnesses who have seen the contractor’s workers on your property. You can also document any damages that were caused to your property. All of these things can help you to build a strong lawsuit against the home builder.

Conclusion

New home construction is full of risks. You can do your best to mitigate them, but you can’t eliminate all of them. You need to be prepared for the worst. To do that, you need to be diligent. According to legal experts, you need to document everything that has happened during the construction of your home and interact with the contractor appropriately. If something goes wrong, don’t be afraid to stand up for your rights. You may be the victim, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any power. There are many ways to hold the home builder accountable for their mistakes. You don’t need to be a victim.

About the Author

Steve H. is a freelance writer who loves writing. He has been writing for us on construction, home renovation and other topics such as health and law.