Construction projects require significant attention to detail to ensure quality control across the board. There are many layers to a construction project, so it’s important to be sure every member of your team is in sync with the details and expectations of the job.
If a homeowner feels a job wasn’t done up to standard and files a claim over defects such as roofing issues, improper materials, or, even worse, a personal injury, then your reputation can immediately go out the window. Florida construction contractors, sub-contractors, material men, and workers bring important experience to every project and one mistake shouldn’t upend a career of good work. Still, that’s the reality of the business at times, so it’s imperative that the whole construction team put time and effort into avoiding defects.
1. Document and review all contract details
The contract process should lay out the expectations of the job. This is an opportunity for the construction workers and property owners to put forth any specifications for the job at hand. This can include expectations of the materials used, present problems that need to be remedied, and other necessary details.
You and your team should be aware of every relevant detail in the contract. Some contracts may seem standard and every contract will include some standard language, but a thorough review may find that the contract requires specific products or materials. Any unusual request in a contract should be acknowledged and adhered to in order to avoid issues down the road.
All efforts to follow through with contract details should be documented, and any reason contract details cannot be honored should be taken up with the property owner prior to any final decisions being made. Even if a contract detail is unreasonable or unviable in your project, you are still legally bound to it until the other party agrees to alter the contract.
2. Don’t be afraid to start over
Nobody on a construction site should be cutting corners. It can be tempting to get the job done early to satisfy the customer or to let a small error go by covering it up. Unfortunately, the costs of a defect being caught later in the process are exponentially greater than just scrapping the part of the project where the error is and starting it again.
The risks to your finances and reputation are too significant to try and get away with cutting corners. Even if the property owner isn’t knowledgeable about construction and the project at hand, it seems every defect eventually comes to light. Take the time to get it right at every step.
3. Constantly review the project
Once the work starts there’s this itch to keep going and get the job done. That’s because construction workers are some of the hardest workers in America. They’re literally building our country.
With that said, sometimes it’s good to slow things down and review all recent work on the project. This can be done by one manager or a quality control team established at the beginning of the project (the more eyes on a project the better). This could be something members of the quality control team do at the beginning and/or end of every day or it can be done as a phase of the project is completed.
However your team decides to do this, it’s important to be consistent and not be afraid to take a pause to ensure nobody is building on a mistake. Mistakes have a way of compounding on construction projects.
4. Call an attorney
You shouldn’t be subjected to claims against your hard work that are malicious and invalid. Any construction team should have an attorney they know and trust to write and review contracts and to step in when you’re accused of wrongdoing.At Florida Construction Law Group, we represent both construction workers and property owners in defect cases. We understand the law and when a defect is actually present vs. when a claim is misguided. Contact our team if you need help taking care of a claim.
