Homeowners Beware of Potential Construction Defects in Ohio
With Ohio’s population increasing at a steady pace, construction is booming. In 2019 alone, over $4 billion in new construction projects have started, $1.4 billion in residential construction alone.
Unfortunately, with construction demand soaring and developers trying to keep up, there is a shortage of skilled labor. When that occurs, the quality of construction tends to suffer.
If you are purchasing a new home, whether a single family home, condominium, town home or other residence, it is likely one of the largest investments you will ever make. A new home should be built in a good and workmanlike manner, complying with applicable building codes, construction specifications and other minimum building standards. The reason for this is simple: A new home should be built to properly function so that it stands the test of time. A quality built home should last for several decades.
When homes are poorly built with construction deficiencies and defects, the homes do not function properly. If the home’s exterior is improperly flashed or transitioned, and water enters, it gets trapped and can damage wood framing and other portions of the home. This leads to rot, structural deterioration and even mold. If grading and drainage is not properly designed and installed, water intrusion and soil movement can threaten a home’s foundation, causing it to crack, sink, or heave. These are but a few examples of the numerous defects that can cause significant distress to a new home if it is not designed and constructed properly. This is especially true in states like Ohio, where we see major weather shifts through the seasons.
As a new homeowner or member of a condominium, town home or homeowners association, you need to be aware of your rights as a homeowner so you can properly protect your investment. If you are experiencing construction defects with your home, there are avenues to hold the developer, builder and other construction professionals responsible for their poor design or construction practices. Ohio has various requirements that you need to be aware of if you experience issues, including a required Notice of Claim process, statutes of limitations and repose, and other key laws that impact the time in which claims must be filed with a court.
Burg Simpson’s construction defect and product liability attorneys have handled numerous cases for their clients, including individual homeowners as well as various community associations, and have a proven track record to represent your interests and guide you through the process. We have offices in Ohio and several other states, and our attorneys handle cases throughout the country. If your home or community association is less than 10 years old and is experiencing issues, whether it is water intrusion, roof leaks, foundation movement or cracking, stucco cracking, siding or trim deterioration, sidewalk cracking or spalling, grading and drainage issues, fire sprinkler leaks, or other issues, please contact us for a free consultation to discuss your situation and options to represent you through the process.
