People hire contractors for projects outside of their own abilities or when home repairs might consume too much of their time. Typically, those hiring contractors and construction companies expect to see a professional result.
Unfortunately, some people tour their recently remodeled bathroom to see sloppy caulking, uneven tiles or a dripping shower head. Property owners may discover that the contractor or construction firm did not use the specific materials requested despite the client paying for those materials. The work may look good at first but might fail within weeks.
How can someone frustrated by a poor outcome for a construction project hold the professional or business they hired accountable?
Reviewing the contract
A contract review is often the first step in any construction-related dispute. Clients need to verify what standards they set in the contract and how the professional or company may have violated the agreement. In some cases, it may be necessary to have legal support when reviewing a contract. People may struggle to understand the jargon used in contracts and may also not understand their options for recourse when the work performed does not meet contractual standards.
Documenting the issues
Taking photographs and otherwise documenting the issues with the finished projects before correcting the problem is of the utmost importance. Property owners need verifiable proof that the work done did not comply with contractual standards or does not meet current best practices within the construction industry. In most cases, bringing in a separate professional to evaluate the work done and estimate the cost to bring it up to the expected standard is part of developing a claim against the contractor.
Negotiating for a solution
Construction firms and professionals rely on word-of-mouth recommendations, so they may agree to correct issues with the project. Property owners can communicate about their disappointed expectations and ask for a solution. In some cases, the homeowner may also need to agree to mediation or even arbitration before filing a lawsuit based of the language included in the contract.
Initiating a breach of contract lawsuit or demanding that a company redo poor-quality work are both reasonable responses to a disappointing project outcome. Holding construction firms and contractors accountable can be a lengthy process, but can help homeowners recover their damages for the faulty work.
Our experienced attorneys at Phillips & Mille Co., L.P.A. can assist you in exploring your options for holding construction companies and professionals accountable for a disappointing project outcome.
