Construction defects are a worrisome phenomenon. They have cost everyone a lot. Suppose a building fell down due to defective materials in case of an earthquake; the loss of life is something no person can ever compensate for. Money isn’t enough to compensate for lives lost, but construction companies have felt the crunch for using defective materials.

The 2023 earthquake that hit Turkey and Southern Syria, resulted in the loss of approximately 200,000 lives. With Syria in a civil war, reconstruction is virtually impossible. Three-fourths of the Turkish cities of Gaziantep and Hatay were destroyed and the entire soccer team of Gaziantepspor was lost too. Christian Atsu, a Ghanaian soccer player died in the earthquake.

The apartment buildings that fell in Turkey were made from poor-quality materials. Unfortunately, the head of Turkey’s building authority himself is a graduate of theology instead of engineering, which exposed the corruption and loopholes in Turkey’s civil engineering and real estate sector.

How bad is the situation in Turkey?

Construction Claims experts based in the Arabian Gulf Countries of UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait explain that Turkey’s post-earthquake problems in building defects and defective construction are far from over. They have exposed more loopholes in the country’s construction and real estate sectors which have been plagued by political corruption.

With Turkey reeling from the effects of such, the problem may get worse if Recep Teyyip Erdogan continues as president. His rival politicians have continuously called for investigations into construction irregularities in line with the standards of the European Union.

Lessons to be learned

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of the Middle East have thankfully robust standards in construction, engineering, and real estate. The buildings in the United Arab Emirates can withstand multiple weather conditions. Jordan is also following similar standards but some small-sized buildings aren’t up to the mark.

Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Tunisia plus Morocco have improved their standards. Israel by far has the best building standards in the region. Other countries in the region are now following its example and standards.

Have any such cases taken place in developed countries?

Developed countries are following robust construction and engineering standards. However, they have faced problems regarding construction defects. In Toronto for instance, Kitec plumbing and copper pipes caused leakages in apartments, condos, lofts, and homes. This resulted in lawsuits, and fines resulting in heavy compensations.

The state of Florida is also prone to similar problems. Sinkholes can take place around the Miami area and they have been a nuisance. Though improvements in surveying have improved conditions, construction in that area must be done carefully.

How bad are construction defects and what can be done to minimize their effects?

Construction defects are never a good thing to have. Ask any dispute avoidance expert and they’ll explain how these cases reach courts and result in settlements that have bankrupted both contractors and construction companies alike. 

For instance, how a building is designed, installed, used, and maintained spells a building’s condition. Damages can be seen in an instant like a burst water pipe, electric issues, and the like. Some damages that appear over time are slowly shifting foundations which can potentially cause a building to fall.

When allegations of construction defects are presented with proper evidence, understanding each of them and their failure mechanisms in design, installation, product, operation, and maintenance is important. This helps identify potential loopholes and the parties guilty of misconduct in this area.

Construction defects are not a good thing to have. It makes the construction company and its contracting companies look negligent and incompetent. 

Deficiencies in design

Deficiencies in design indicate failures of architects and engineers in making the building’s design systems, or both. There can be flaws in the design of balconies, roofs, bathrooms, and hallways resulting in poor drainage, water penetration, or poor structural support which can bring down a building in some years.

Any deficiencies in materials

Deficiencies in materials can be due to damaged or defective building materials. Inferior products that do not last as long as intended can cause construction companies to end up paying hefty damages and fines.  

Also, frames that are bent during transportation cannot be used for proper installation. Even if they are used for installation, they can lead to severe water intrusion. Problems with the mixing of cement and concrete leading to problematic construction can also be termed as a need for more important building materials.

Deficiencies in construction

Construction deficiencies indicate poor quality craftsmanship causing numerous damages, ranging from problems in structural integrity to foundation issues and the like. Poor quality plumbing can cause leaks to create mold. Damaged and problematic electrical wirings in walls and ceilings can cause electrocution.

Construction deficiencies are a leading cause of cases of construction claims. They also have caused numerous construction companies and contracting companies to go bankrupt and out of business. The lawsuits coming from this construction defect are horrendous and have resulted in hefty fines and damages.

Deficiencies in building maintenance and operations

These kinds of failures indicate the building owner’s failure to maintain the structure and its systems, as well as not using them properly. Inability ot maintain exterior sealant and paint can cause it to break down and cause water seepage. 

When it comes to systems, failing to inspect HVAC systems on time can cause temperature issues which can cause health issues among residents. No one wants residents or occupants to have health issues during the winter. Moreover, if a building still uses metal pipes for water, a problematic HVAC system can cause them to freeze and even burst.

Over to You

Construction Companies should always conduct an internal audit of their projects and be ready against construction defect claims and lawsuits. They must document each stage of the construction process to have a robust record in place. This can be used in the courts of law as a proper defense measure.

However, companies must pay attention to all existing laws, requirements, and statutes, especially where construction work is happening. Needless to say, the laws of Toronto aren’t the same as that of Chicago or Houston. 

Construction companies should work together with their insurance companies, legal teams, and advisors to ensure they can limit their construction defect liability by quite a margin. You can read more article on hituponviews.