Protecting Homeowners From Construction Defects

Construction defects can be caused by a variety of things. If a contractor abandons a project, they may leave the homeowner with structural defects or other defects caused by unfinished construction work. At the law office of Higley & Szabo, P.A., we represent clients throughout Central Florida and the greater Orlando area in construction defect litigation.

Contractor Abandonment

Unfortunately, contractor abandonment is a hot topic with many homeowners. When you hire a contractor, it is with the expectation that they will complete the job in a timely and high-quality manner. However, some contractors start a remodel project, get halfway through, leave the house in a state of disarray and never return. We help homeowners in this situation find the remedies they need.

Our lawyers guide clients through the process of finding a replacement contractor and obtaining any necessary permits. We also assist our clients in determining whether there are any unpaid subcontractors who provided labor, services or materials to the project. We assist homeowners who are facing construction defects, including:

• Water intrusion
• Roofing problems
• Settlings and wall cracking

• Grading problems (contours in the ground surface)

Grading problems and Unlicensed Contractors

We also represent condominium and homeowners associations. Many homeowners associations need to put liens on property when homeowners do not pay their dues or comply with covenants.

In Florida, contractors are required to be licensed for particular trades including, but not limited to, general contracting, building contracting, swimming pools, electrical work, plumbing work and roofing work. An unlicensed contractor who performs work on your project may not be able to enforce the contract against the owner. However, the owner may still be able to enforce the terms of the contract against the unlicensed contractor.

If you are having problems with construction defects, contractor abandonment, grading problems or unlicensed contractors, contact experienced attorneys