Home builders generally take pride in their work and do their best to provide results that meet or exceed their customers’ expectations. Unfortunately, contractors sometimes cut corners or make mistakes that cause delays or make a new home unsafe to live in. If you encounter problems while having a house built, here are some tips on how to deal with the situation.
Discuss Your Concerns With the Builder
Address the issue directly and respectfully and give the contractor the benefit of the doubt. Mistakes happen, and many problems boil down to miscommunication, not intentional acts. Sometimes issues are due to factors beyond a builder’s control, such as bad weather, delayed shipments and damage that’s discovered after work begins.
The contractor might be unaware of a problem and grateful to you for pointing it out. If individual workers are making mistakes or cutting corners and you explain your concerns to their supervisor, you might see a dramatic change.
Document the Issue
Take notes, as well as photos and/or videos of the problem. If you speak with the builder in person or on the phone, follow up with a letter, email, or text message that summarizes your conversation. Photos, videos and written documentation can help you be sure that everyone is on the same page. They can also be useful if you decide to take legal action.
Reread Your Contract
The agreement that you and the home builder signed should include a timeline for the project, as well as information on how delays and other problems will be handled. If the work has fallen behind schedule and it will be impossible to meet the deadlines laid out in the contract, you might have to renegotiate the agreement and create a new set of milestones.
Take Action Against the Builder
If the contractor is rude or disrespectful, denies that there is a problem, or refuses to discuss the matter at all, you can pursue other options. For example, you can threaten to withhold payment, post negative online reviews, or file a complaint with your state’s licensing board. If you have lost faith in the contractor and don’t believe you will be able to resolve the issue, firing the company might be the best way to prevent additional construction problems.
If the job has already been finished, or if you paid up front for work that has not yet been done, you might have to sue the home builder for breach of contract. An attorney can explain the laws in your state and how they apply to your situation and advise you on the best way to proceed.
