A flawed commercial building and the headaches it brings

October 9 2022 | Real Estate

By investing in a new commercial building, you seemingly avoided the pratfalls that come with an older structure. Problems with relic buildings may include energy and electrical issues, lack of compliance with fire and safety regulations as well as vermin.

However, a new building may not be without its flaws, either. Despite getting an OK from a building inspector, the new building may have structural problems that may not surface until months after you purchased it. Now, you consider whether legal action can remedy this situation.

Faulty construction and design

In many cases, faulty construction or faulty design are the sources of problems in new commercial buildings. In your mind, this was a solid and foolproof investment, but now you must weigh the factors that come into play when considering potential litigation. They include:

  • Level of severity in the structure’s problems: Is this building only an eyelash from being condemned? Are the structural cracks, leaks and poor ventilation causing danger to tenants? You may have to quickly pursue legal action.
  • The repair costs: Exorbitant repair bills are more than eye-opening. They shock you into reality that you have a major problem, especially if the costs surpass the amount that you paid for the building.
  • The strength of your claim: With additional inspections and an investigation, you can determine just how strong your claim and whether the building suffered from a deficient design or the builder relied on poor materials for construction.

The headaches caused by a defective or poorly constructed building can create a web of problems. You may even face claims by tenants.

Pursuing legal action

Investors face risks. As an investor in a new commercial building, you thought your team had every detail covered, every problem averted. Faced with a conundrum caused by a deficient structure, you may have no choice but to pursue legal action.

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