Construction is one of the riskiest yet busiest industries across the globe. The risks are not just limited to the duration of construction but can emerge event after several years of project completion. However, fearing the risks, the number of construction projects cannot be reduced. The parties involved have to ensure proper planning, implementation and inspection to limit the risks.
Construction defect litigation is one of the most common issues the parties can face even after years of project completion. Design, material, or other details ignored during the construction phase can emerge as risks and threats sometime later. The responsible parties may have to pay a heavy fine, along with facing restrictions if their negligence is proved. However, to avoid such a situation, reducing construction defect litigation is crucial.
Explore this article in detail to learn how you can reduce construction defect litigation in a project.
Top 8 Tips to Limit Construction Defect Claims
Construction projects require constant vigilance, care, and attention and expert skills to make them a success. Defects in the projects, which can emerge anytime during construction or usability of the projects, can cause loss of life, resources and reputation. Therefore, all the stakeholders involved in the project have to be very diligent and perform their duties with the expertise to limit issues in the present and future.
Here are the top tips to limit the occurrence and possibility of construction defect claims in a project.
1. Include Well Defined Scope of Work
The first tip to limit the construction defect claims is to include a well-designed scope of work. At times, the design and flaws and mistakes are the biggest reason behind the defects. Therefore, paying detailed attention to the designs can save from litigation in the future. Some construction parties also get quantum experts on board and ensure the fact to receive evidence-based support in difficult times.
2. Improve Organizational Structure
The second tip to reduce the chances of construction defect litigation is to improve the organizational structure. It means that you should include the specialists on the job and let them verify the transparency and effectiveness of each step. For example, the engineers and designers should work on the designs and finalize them instead of the contractors or project manager.
3. Hire Subcontractors Carefully
One of the most crucial tips to save the construction from defect litigations is to hire the subcontractors carefully. A construction project typically involves seven to eight different types of subcontractors, who have to play their specific roles and responsibilities. If you hire just anyone to tackle the tasks, you may invite litigation so refrain from unprofessional activities.
4. Perform Constructability Reviews
An important tip that can help the construction stakeholders from defect litigation is performing the constructability reviews. The reviews help the authorities check the progress and success rate of the projects that reviewed and utilized the change orders and that did not use them. So, include constructability reviews in your project to save it from future issues.
5. Ensure Regular Inspection
Another crucial tip to save your construction project from defect claims and litigations is to ensure regular inspection of the project. It should be specifically directed towards the use of material, time period of construction, apart from the design and change orders requested during the project. You can compare similar projects to boost the quality of your inspection.
6. Share a Smooth Change Order Process
Change orders are, at times, the only solution for the project to save it from distant defects. Still, you should not ignore it. The change orders are often treated negatively because they cause loss of time, resources, and schedule. You can limit all these issues while ensuring to fix the problems that can lead to defects by sharing a smooth change order process.
7. Manage Approval and Verification Record
Apart from the design flaws and rejected change orders, poor material selection plays a huge role in leading the construction projects and parties involved in it towards defects litigation. An important tip to limit the defect claims is to manage the approvals and verification records diligently. Even if you face false litigations in the future, you can share the record to prove your stance.
8. Get Experts On Board
Lastly, the most crucial tip to limit the construction defects claims or litigation is to get experts on board. You can utilize their skills and expertise to verify there is no issue in the construction phase that can cause some future issues. Moreover, you can hire construction claim consultants and get professional back up and support if you face such challenges.
Watch construction progress to limit defect litigation!
Negligence towards the project can lead to construction defects, which can emerge at any stage during the life of the project. So, be sure to fulfill your responsibility efficiently and save your project from issues. In addition to it, contact the professionals and include them in the project to receive support and guidance during critical times.
