Most
reputable homebuilders or contractors will respond to legitimate reasonable claims for incomplete or faulty construction.
WHEN
you make a claim may determine whether you get a good response. The best advice is to make a claim with the builder or the
customer relations department as soon as the problem becomes known. The best means to accomplish this is to inspect your house
prior to purchase and then immediately after taking occupancy, noting in writing all areas of deficiency and then bringing
these to the attention of the builder, again in writing. Send all correspondence certified mail; be certain to
keep copies of all correspondence, both from and to you. Keep a journal of any conversations, whom, when, and what was said.
For
new home purchases or the installation of a new product (e.g., a new window system), it is common for the builder, contractor
or supplier to provide you with a "warranty" indicating a time limit during which it will respond to problems. Such warranty
periods usually run from one to five years, and claims made within that time period should be honored without question. This
time period, however, is often not the end of the limit for which a contractor is legally responsible for the work or materials
in question!
In California,
the time for an owner to bring a claim for faulty construction (negligence) is set by statute. To be safe, notify your builder as
soon as you suspect a problem.
To be safe, follow the these guidelines:
1. INSPECT your home before taking
possession, just after taking possession and periodically for ten years.
2.
Bring all suspected instances of defective or incomplete construction to the attention of the Developer/builder
in writing and keep copies of all correspondence.
3.
DO NOT WAIT.
CSLB-California Contractor's Licensing Board AND CONSTRUCTION COMPLAINTS
CSLB's complaint process and procedures are designed to protect the public in matters pertaining
to construction and to assist in the resolution of construction related complaints. CSLB handles any violations of the Contractors
License Law, whether the contractor is licensed or unlicensed, for up to four years from the date of the act.