Everyone knows that old houses have their quirks. While there is nothing wrong with embarking on the adventure that comes with owning an older home, you may have decided to purchase a recently built one. Unfortunately, because of construction defects, your new dwelling may not be quite as perfect as you think.
In 2016, an ABC News reporter met with homeowners who bought defective, recently built houses. While many of those interviewed reported nightmarish defects, you do not have to have a collapsing home to have a legal claim against the builder. On the contrary, here are four common construction defects you may see in your new house.
- Flickering lights
Because most electrical wires hide behind walls, noticing an electrical problem can be challenging. Still, if your lights flicker or sockets do not work, there is a good chance an electrician made a mistake when wiring your home.
- Uneven floors
As you probably know, houses tend to settle over time. While it may be common for an older home to have some sloping floors, your new build should have level ones. Unfortunately, uneven floors may be an early indicator of larger construction problems.
- Water leaks
There may be thousands of feet of pipes running throughout your home. Water trickling through walls may indicate a problem with your house’s plumbing system. Also, if moisture seeps into your crawlspace or basement, your housing contractor may not have adequately sealed underground spaces.
- Strange smells
Contractors use a variety of products when building a new home. If you notice a strange odor, workers may have attempted to hide a chemical spill inside your house’s walls or beneath its floorboards. Alternatively, your builder may have used inferior materials.
You should be able to rely on your new home to be comfortable and safe. Still, if your newly built house has any of these construction defects, you must act quickly to protect your investment.
