Building a home from scratch should be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life. Unfortunately, when your builder doesn’t live up to its end of the bargain, it’s possible for construction defects to come into play.

Some of the most common types of construction defects include:

• Water intrusion
• Structural integrity
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Expansive soils
• Windows and doors
• Finishes

All of these categories contain many different types of construction defects. For example, water intrusion can result from a cracked foundation, which has the potential to damage the interior of your home, while also providing an environment for mold and mildew growth.

How to pinpoint a construction defect

The best thing you can do is keep a close eye on the construction of your home, while asking questions of your builder if you see something that doesn’t look right.

In some cases, making note of a construction defect early on allows you to avoid additional trouble in the future.

Also, before you close on the home, hire an independent inspector to examine the interior and exterior of your property. Since this person doesn’t work for the homebuilder, they’ll point out any construction defects and/or issues that could occur in the future.

If you find yourself in a dispute over a construction defect, review your contract and discuss next steps with your builder.

Depending on what happens duri ng that conversation, you may need to learn more about your legal rights. No matter how badly you want to move on, letting your builder off the hook for a construction defect could cost you money and time in the future.