Construction Defects Attorney in Irvine, California

Real estate is one of the most important financial investments in any person’s life. When you purchase residential or commercial property, you deserve to have property free from construction defects. Unfortunately, these defects are not uncommon and can cause homeowners and business owners significant financial distress and safety concerns.  

When construction defects endanger your and your family’s safety and well-being or your business experiences financial losses due to deficiencies that occurred in the construction process, William B. Hanley, Attorney at Law, can help. The construction defects attorney in Irvine, California, is dedicated to defending the rights of homeowners and business owners throughout the state of California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Diego County.  

With nearly 50 years of legal experience, William B. Hanley knows what it takes to successfully navigate the complex legal challenges in construction defect claims. An attorney can help you explore your legal options and understand your best course of action in remedying your situation. 

What Are Construction Defects?  

A contraction defect is a deficiency in the construction process. Generally, these defects take the form of physical conditions that endanger the safety or health of occupants or workers and/or reduce the value of a structure. Such defects, when not addressed promptly, can cause damage to property or persons.  

Construction defects can be broken down into three categories: 

1. material defects, which result from using inadequate or damaged building materials in the construction process;  

2. design defects, which result from problems caused by faulty architectural or engineering designs; and, 

3. workmanship defects, which arise due to poor craftsmanship or inadequate supervision during the construction process.  

Often, a construction defect may go unnoticed for a long period of time, making it more difficult to recover damages from the responsible parties.   

Builder Warranties 

Home builders often issue a warranty – known as the builder warranty – on their work. According to the website of the Federal Trade Commission, warranties for new homes typically cover permanent parts of the structure, such as plumbing, concrete floors, and electrical work, among other things.  

Builder warranties usually come with different maximum terms depending on the type of defect. As a rule of thumb, homeowners may receive: 

• a one-year warranty for workmanship defects and material defects;  

• two years- warranty for defects in electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation, and air conditioning systems; and, 

• ten years’ warranty for structural defects (e.g., cracks in walls, floors, or ceiling).  

If a warranty from the builder still covers your property, it is vital to speak with a construction defects attorney to read the contract and determine what is covered and excluded.  

Who’s Responsible for Construction Defects? 

Depending on the facts of each individual case, the following parties may be held responsible for construction defects: 

• General contractors or subcontractors. General contractors are hired to oversee the entire construction process from start to finish. After accepting a project, the general contractor contracts subcontractors to perform specific tasks or services.  

• Construction company. Construction companies are business entities that specialize in planning, designing, and constructing buildings and infrastructure.  

• Property owner. In many construction projects, property owners are closely involved in constructing buildings.  

• Government. City or state government agencies may also be responsible for construction defects present in public buildings.  

• Product manufacturers. If a specific product or building material used in the construction process is defective or not in accordance with safety standards, the manufacturer of the product can be held responsible.  

When any of the above-mentioned parties are negligent in carrying out their duties, they can be held responsible for resulting construction defects and any damages and losses suffered by those harmed by these deficiencies.