So you have finally bought your dream home. Everything seems to be in good shape, but if there is a hidden construction defect, your dream will quickly turn into a nightmare.
Whether your house or commercial building is newly constructed, or you bought it from someone else, you are relying on the builders’ expertise, choice of materials and attention to detail. Even a seemingly small mistake can lead to hugely expensive damage down the road, even if problems do not appear for several years.
Building a house is very complicated, combining several systems that must be done properly to create a safe, reliable place to live. Among the places where homeowners most commonly discover construction defects are:
- The foundation
- The roof
- Plumbing
- Insulation
- Electrical system
- Windows
- Stucco/siding
- Excavation and soil preparation
Of course, any part of a building can be negligently constructed, and problems with one part can lead to a domino effect. An improperly laid foundation can cause the flooring to crack, requiring extensive repairs to both.
These repairs can easily cost thousands of dollars, not to mention the months of headaches and inconvenience to you and your family. Fortunately, you do not have to bear the burden yourself. In Minnesota, for a new building, construction defects are the financial responsibility of the contractor. When the homeowner bought the house from someone else, the seller may be liable for damages, if he or she knew about the defect and failed to disclose it.
A Minneapolis homeowner dealing with a possible construction defect should get in touch with a real estate attorney to discuss their legal options.