Building A New Home: Should You Sign Your Builder’s Contract?
The excitement of buying a new home can quickly fade if you start noticing construction defects. The question then becomes, “How do I get this expensive problem repaired?”
That is what a number of homeowners in Washington are asking themselves after discovering a construction defect that is also affecting homes across the country.
Vinyl siding damage has been linked to high-efficiency windows known as Low-Emission windows.
Low-E windows, which have been installed in houses across the U.S., are designed to keep heat inside the home during the winter months and outside the home during the summer months.
However, Low-E windows can also function as a kind of magnifying glass, reflecting sunlight onto vinyl siding and other objects. The result is known as thermal distortion, which can cause major warping of vinyl siding.
In addition to affecting the outward aesthetics of the home, the damaged siding can leave gaps in protective coverage, exposing the house to other kinds of weather damage.
Homeowners have found it difficult to get the cost of repairs covered.
In these situations, multiple parties may be liable for covering the cost of repairs, and determining exactly who is responsible often requires the help of a construction law attorney.
Depending on the circumstances, the responsibility of making the repairs may fall to the builder or the manufacturer, and such a resolution may be achieved in or out of court.
However, a homeowner’s options for resolving matters may be limited if the homeowner agreed to resolve any disputes through mediation or arbitration, rather than reserving the right to ask a court to intervene.
If you are wondering about the best strategy for handling a construction defect claim, it is a good idea to speak with an experienced lawyer about your case.
At Levy – von Beck & Associates, we help homeowners and HOAs resolve legal issues related to construction defects. To learn more, please see our construction defect overview.
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