For many North Carolina residents, a new home means one that is newly built and that no one has lived in yet. Buying a newly constructed home often means homeowners can choose unique details or design the layout to meet their own preferences. Everything is fresh and new, and there is no reason to expect something to break or wear out soon after the purchase. However, some common construction defects that go unnoticed may bring serious financial and even safety risks to the homeowner.
Before laying the foundation, placing utilities or hammering a single nail into a board, the builders must properly grade the building site. This process ensures that the ground slopes away from the house, preventing water from accumulating and penetrating the foundation. Water damage, including those resulting from poorly designed or defective drainage systems, can be costly and can lead to mold issues and a slow deterioration of building materials. Water damage can also result from improperly installed plumbing or roofing.
If the contractor uses inappropriate framing techniques that an inspector misses, the new homeowner may experience cracks in the home’s foundation, breaking drywall or other defects that can jeopardize the stability of the home. Finally, defects in the electrical system can be extremely dangerous, sparking fires or opening residents to the risk of electrical shock.
A construction inspection should discover major defects in a newly-built home. However, this does not always happen, leaving owners of new North Carolina homes with burdensome financial and safety issues. Those who seek a fair resolution to these issues often enlist the assistance of a skilled attorney with experience in construction defects.