Your home should be your sanctuary. There is nothing more upsetting than finding problems in your home construction. How you handle those problems depends on several different factors. For example, the age of your home will determine what next steps you need to take and what type of construction problems you find. Read more to learn how you can handle construction issues with your home.

On New Construction

If you built your home in the last five years it is very likely that you will still be within the builder’s warranty period. If you are not within your warranty period and discover a construction issue, the solution is simple. Call the builder and let them know what the problem is or what you suspect the problem is.

The issue may be less of a problem than you think. Newly constructed homes will “settle” with time and cracks in walls, doorways, and other areas may form. Your construction team can quickly make repairs if necessary.

What Do You Do If You Are Just Outside The Warranty Period?

If your home is showing signs of construction issues and it is a site-built home that is just outside the warranty period, based on the level of damage, you may have to take some extra steps. Builders are not perfect and in some cases, make mistakes. Getting the builder to take responsibility for their mistakes can be difficult if you are outside your warranty period.

There are two different types of negligence that may occur with a builder. Gross negligence, and simple negligence. In the first category (gross negligence), the builder knowingly cut corners. In the second category (simple negligence), there is no malice. In both cases, the builder may still be responsible for the repairs, even if you are outside the warranty period.

Unfortunately, you may have to work with a couple of other builders to get estimates and opinions about what caused the construction issue to make your case. It may take time to work through the process if your builder does not take responsibility. Ultimately, you may have to pay out of pocket for the repairs.

Construction Issues On Your Older Home

If you have an older home and are starting to notice construction issues like foundation problems, unfortunately, you do not have any recourse. The very first thing you should do if you notice construction issues in your older home is to ensure you connect with the right expert.

Not every general contractor can make all types of repairs. You must be sure that you are choosing a contractor that specializes in the repairs you need. For example, foundation issues are one of the most common construction issues. If you realize there are cracks in your foundation or it seems to be shifting, you need to hire a contractor that specializes in these types of repairs.

You can expect to pay around $4,640 (the national average) for foundation repairs. This is not the type of job that a handyman can manage. You need to connect with professionals that specialize in foundation repair. The same is true for other niche construction repairs for your home.

The best course of action is to contact a professional as soon as you notice the onset of a construction issue. Early intervention and repairs will minimize costs and damage. Do not let the problem sit and become worse. Act quickly.

Take a Deep Breath

It is upsetting and stressful when you realize that there are construction issues with your home, but getting upset over it, will not solve the problem. Of course, no one wants their new landscaping torn up so foundation repairs can be done, but getting yourself in a frenzy will only make things worse. Landscaping adds about 14% value to your home, and you can use this time as an excuse to make your landscaping even better.

Before you know it the work will be done and you will be able to fully enjoy your home again. For every construction issue, there is a solution. As a final note, be sure to check with your homeowner’s insurance to see if you can get some or all of the costs covered.