When building anything in Pennsylvania as part of a construction project, it is important that you pay attention to the quality of the build. Should your project end up having a defect of some type, you open yourself up to litigation and liability. A good way to avoid defects in your projects is to be aware of the common ones. This allows you to double check for them in your own designs and work.
Travelers Indemnity Company explains that construction defects occur most often in one of four ways. Some may be things you have no control over and others may be things that happen due to something you have done incorrectly. For example, one common defect involves bad materials. You can choose the best and greatest materials, but if there is a defect with them that is not visible, then you really have no control over this.
Another common defect is in design. Whether you create a design yourself or hire someone to design your projects, any issues based on the design can be your responsibility. You should always look over designs for such issues.
Construction defects are the third type. This would be anything resulting from poor craftsmanship that creates problems later on. This is why it is important to double check all work done on your project.
The last defect is actually on the person who takes ownership over the building. If they do not properly maintain it or use it correctly, such as not keeping it warm enough in the winter so the pipes freeze, then that would fall under this category. This is something you would not likely be liable for.
Understanding what could result in construction defects can help you to avoid the issues and better defend yourself against any liability claims. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
