Several things can go wrong during a residential construction project. Consistent poor weather can delay a project long enough to drain the project budget. Another common cause of a construction project gone wrong involves hiring a general contractor that does not have the knowledge and experience to plan properly for every obstacle. As a property owner, your goal is to minimize construction delays. However, you also have to be attentive to the use of faulty materials that turn a seemingly successful construction project into an unmitigated disaster. Hiring a construction attorney will help you solve faulty materials issues.
General contractors cut corners in materials for two primary reasons: Time and money. With recurring supply chain disruptions still damaging the American economy, the general contractor hired to complete your residential construction project might face a significant time constraint when it comes to getting the right materials delivered. In turn, the general contractor uses inferior materials that are much more readily accessible. Some general contractors use inferior materials to save money in the short term, but achieving financial short-term goals eventually leads to you enduring substantial long-term losses.
What Are Some Common Inferior Materials Used by General Contractors?
At Alves Radcliffe, we advise clients on what type of inferior materials they should look for that are used by many general contractors.
Using stucco during a home construction project can lead to irreversible cracks caused by structural deficiencies, such as adding stucco to a plywood wall. Stucco also is known to shrink when used in humid conditions. Improperly mixed stucco can degrade in hot weather conditions, as well as develop cracks triggered by loose soil.
Drywall represents another common type of shoddy material used in home construction projects. Poorly installed drywall can generate cracks that considerably diminish the structural integrity of a wall. Drywall is highly susceptible to developing cracks caused by a sloping foundation and/or exposure to excessive moisture damage.
How a Construction Attorney Helps You Solve Faulty Materials Issues
A construction attorney from Alves Radcliffe is there to help you resolve residential construction project issues, which include a general contractor using shoddy materials. The most proactive way to resolve a materials issue is to prevent one from developing in the first place. This involves your construction attorney reviewing the proposed construction project contract to ensure the general contractor clearly lists the materials to be used throughout the project.
If a materials issue arises, your construction attorney acts as your intermediary to resolve the issue quickly, and without any negative financial impacts. Without an attorney to help you, the general contractor might try to take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge. If your materials dispute progresses toward litigation, a construction attorney from Alves Radcliffe can help you avoid a costly mechanic’s lien. Your lawyer also can negotiate a settlement to prevent your case from reaching the trial phase of the litigation process.
Hiring a construction attorney represents your best option to ensure a general contractor does not use inferior materials to complete your home construction project.