The custom home-building industry in Chicago is booming. While most contractors are known to do good work, there are occasional instances when a contractor fails to meet the standards of the homeowner. In such cases, the homeowner may have grounds to sue the contractor for breach of contract or negligence.
It is important for homeowners to do their due diligence when researching potential contractors in order to ensure a successful and satisfactory outcome.
If you’ve found yourself in a bit of a property war with your builder, you may be wondering what the parameters and criteria are for filing lawsuits against a contractor. With insurance policies or the unassailable sway of feigning ignorance, bad contractors can sometimes slip right through our fingers, never being found liable for their shoddy work.
Research is everything, and if you need additional information about the process, reach out to a firm familiar with company breaches and negligence like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Knowing your rights as a client can help you get the compensation you deserve. Let’s take a look at a few of the reasons you may have ground to sue your Chicago contractor.
Failure To Complete The Work With Reasonable Care And Skill
When a contractor fails to complete the work with reasonable care and skill, the homeowner may have grounds to sue for negligence. This is because the contractor has not fulfilled the duty of care that is required of them by law. The homeowner may be able to demonstrate that they were not provided with a quality and professional service and that the contractor’s negligence has caused them financial loss or damage.
In a negligence lawsuit, the homeowner would need to demonstrate that the contractor breached the standard of care required of them as a professional. This includes showing that the work was not completed with reasonable care and skill and that the homeowner has suffered a financial loss as a result.
The homeowner should provide evidence to demonstrate that the contractor was indeed negligent and failed to deliver a satisfactory service. This could include statements from other contractors, photos of the job site, and any other evidence that can be used to prove that the contractor failed to deliver a quality service.
The court will also take into account any contract that the homeowner and the contractor had agreed to. If the contract specifies that the contractor must complete the work with reasonable care and skill, then this can be used as further evidence of negligence. The court will also consider the contractor’s experience and qualifications, and whether they were suitable for the job.
Injuries Incurred Due To Poor Craftmanship
If a person is injured due to the poor craftsmanship of a contractor, the contractor can be held liable for any damages. The homeowner may be able to sue the contractor for negligence, breach of contract, or even product liability. Negligence is when a contractor fails to meet the standard of care that is required by law. They may have failed to use proper materials, failed to follow safety protocols, or failed to complete the work with reasonable care and skill.
Breach of contract is when the contractor fails to fulfill any promises they made in the contract. This could be a failure to complete the job on time, or a failure to complete the job according to the specifications laid out in the contract. The homeowner may have suffered a financial loss due to the contractor’s breach of contract.
Product liability may be applicable if the contractor has used faulty materials or defective tools that have caused an injury. The homeowner may be able to sue the contractor for damages caused by faulty materials or tools.
In any case, the homeowner should document any evidence of the contractor’s negligence or product liability. This could include statements from other contractors, photos of the job site, and any other evidence that can be used to prove that the contractor was liable for the injury. The homeowner should also keep any contracts that were signed between them and the contractor. This can be used to prove the contractor’s liability if the homeowner decides to sue.
Using Unsuitable Materials For The Project
Using unsuitable, wrong, or cheap materials can be grounds for a lawsuit against a contractor if the homeowner suffers a personal injury or financial loss due to the contractor’s negligence. Contractors are obligated to use suitable materials and techniques to perform their duties, and if they fail to do so they can be held liable for the resulting damages.
Chicago homes need materials that are of the highest quality and durability to ensure that they can withstand the harsh winter weather. This includes materials such as insulated windows and doors, siding that can withstand high winds and extreme temperatures, and roofing materials that are designed to handle heavy snow and ice accumulation. Homeowners should make sure that the materials they use for their homes are rated for their particular climate, as this will ensure that their homes can withstand the winter weather.
Bad contractors may use unapproved, cheaper, used materials in order to cut costs and maintain a larger profit. This can be dangerous and lead to a lower quality of workmanship. For example, a contractor may promise to use authentic wood flooring but instead use a cheaper, synthetic material. This could be grounds for a lawsuit, as the homeowner may suffer financial loss due to the use of sub-par materials. Homeowners may also suffer physical harm if the cheaper materials are of lower quality and not durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.
Suing a contractor for negligence can be a difficult and complex process. Reach out to an experienced attorney if you are unsure of your legal rights.