📋 What Are Construction Defects?
Construction defects are deficiencies in the design, materials, or workmanship of a building that cause damage, reduce its value, or make it unsafe. California law provides extensive protections for домовладелецs through the Подрядчикs State License Board (CSLB), the подрядчик's license bond, and the SB 800 Right to Ремонт Act for new residential construction.
Common Types of Construction Defects
This guide applies if you are dealing with any of the following дефект types:
🏠 Structural Defects
Foundation cracks, settling, inadequate framing, roof structure failures, load-bearing wall issues
💧 Water Intrusion
Roof leaks, window/door leaks, stucco failures, improper drainage, waterproofing failures
⚡ Electrical Defects
Code нарушениеs, improper wiring, overloaded circuits, fire hazards, grounding issues
🔥 Plumbing Defects
Pipe leaks, improper slope, inadequate water pressure, sewer line failures, fixture defects
🏭 HVAC Issues
Improper sizing, inadequate ductwork, code нарушениеs, efficiency problems, noise issues
🛠 Finishing Defects
Cracked drywall, uneven floors, poor paint work, tile failures, cabinetry problems
California's Construction Дефект Framework
California provides multiple overlapping protections for домовладелецs dealing with construction defects:
📚 CSLB Подрядчикs State License Law (B&P Code 7000+)
▼California's comprehensive подрядчик licensing law requires all подрядчикs performing work over $500 to be licensed. Key provisions include:
- B&P Code 7109: Departure from accepted trade standards or negligent construction is grounds for discipline
- B&P Code 7110: Material deviation from plans without consent is a нарушение
- B&P Code 7119: Failure to prosecute work diligently is grounds for discipline
- B&P Code 7159: Contract requirements including scope, timeline, and payment terms
🏗 SB 800 Right to Ремонт Act (гражданский кодекс 895-945.5)
▼SB 800 (also known as the Right to Ремонт Act) applies to new residential construction sold after January 1, 2003. It establishes specific construction standards and a mandatory pre-судебный процесс ремонт process:
- Detailed standards for each building component (гражданский кодекс 896-897)
- Mandatory notice and ремонт opportunity before filing suit
- Specific timelines for builder response (гражданский кодекс 910-938)
- Statutes of limitation specific to each дефект type (гражданский кодекс 941)
🔒 Подрядчик's License Bond (B&P Code 7071.5-7071.11)
▼Every licensed California подрядчик must maintain a $25,000 подрядчик's license bond. This bond protects домовладелецs:
- Minimum bond is $25,000 (some specialty licenses require more)
- Claims can be filed directly with the bonding company
- Bond claims are separate from CSLB исковое заявлениеs and lawsuits
- 2-year deadline from нарушение or 1 год from completion, whichever is later
🔗 Mechanic's Lien Protections (гражданский кодекс 8000-8848)
▼Understanding mechanic's liens is crucial when dealing with construction defects, as unpaid subподрядчикs may file liens against your property:
- Subподрядчикs must provide preliminary 20-day notices (гражданский кодекс 8200)
- You can demand lien releases before payment (гражданский кодекс 8132-8138)
- Joint check provisions protect you from paying twice
- You can bond around filed liens (гражданский кодекс 8424)
⚠ SB 800 vs. Common Law Claims
The type of требование you have depends on your property:
- New residential construction (sold after 1/1/2003): SB 800 applies with mandatory pre-судебный процесс ремонт process
- Remodel/renovation work: Traditional нарушение договора and халатность claims apply
- Commercial construction: SB 800 does not apply; common law claims only
- Multi-unit residential: HOAs may pursue SB 800 claims on behalf of owners
⚖ Правовая Основа
California provides robust legal protections for домовладелецs dealing with construction defects through multiple statutory frameworks.
SB 800 Right to Ремонт Act (гражданский кодекс 895-945.5)
🏗 SB 800 Standards and Timelines
SB 800 establishes specific construction standards for residential properties. гражданский кодекс Section 896 defines the performance standards for each building component:
- Water/moisture (CC 896(a)): Must not allow unintended water intrusion
- Structural (CC 896(b)): Must not cause damage from мировое соглашение, framing, etc.
- Soil (CC 896(c)): Must not cause damage from subsidence or expansion
- Fire protection (CC 896(d)): Must meet fire resistance standards
- Plumbing (CC 896(e)): Must not leak and must function properly
- Electrical (CC 896(f)): Must operate properly and meet code
- Other standards: Exterior, heating/cooling, windows, doors, etc.
гражданский кодекс Section 910-938 - Pre-Судебный Процесс Process
Before filing a судебный иск under SB 800, домовладелецs must follow the mandatory pre-судебный процесс process: (1) Отправить письменное уведомление of defects to builder; (2) Builder has 14 days to acknowledge; (3) Builder has 14 days to inspect; (4) Builder has 30 days to offer ремонт; (5) Домовладелец can accept, reject, or counter the offer.
гражданский кодекс Section 941 - Statutes of Limitation
SB 800 sets specific deadlines based on дефект type: Patent defects (visible) - 4 года; Fire protection - 4 года; Plumbing/electrical - 4 года; Other systems - 4 года; Structural and water intrusion (latent) - 10 years from substantial completion.
CSLB Подрядчикs State License Law (B&P Code 7000+)
B&P Code Section 7109 - Departure from Standards
"A willful departure from, or disregard of, building plans or specifications in any material respect without consent of the owner or his duly authorized representative, which is prejudicial to another" is grounds for license discipline.
B&P Code Section 7110 - Negligent Construction
"Failure in any material respect to comply with the plans, specifications, or terms of a contract in a willful or deliberate manner, or by reason of gross халатность" constitutes cause for discipline.
B&P Code Section 7071.5-7071.11 - Подрядчик's License Bond
All licensed подрядчикs must maintain a $25,000 bond. Домовладелецs damaged by подрядчик нарушениеs can file claims against this bond independently of CSLB исковое заявлениеs or civil lawsuits. Multiple claimants may share the bond if insufficient.
Срок Исковой Давности
📅 Written Contract
4 года from breach (CCP 337) - Applies to нарушение договора claims for remodel work
📅 Latent Defects
10 years from substantial completion (CCP 337.15) - For hidden defects not discoverable through инспекция
📅 Bond Claims
2 года from нарушение OR 1 год from completion, whichever is later (B&P 7071.6)
📅 CSLB Исковое Заявлениеs
Нет strict deadline, but file promptly for best results. CSLB has limited retroactive jurisdiction.
💡 Patent vs. Latent Defects
- Patent defects: Visible or discoverable through reasonable инспекция (4-year limit)
- Latent defects: Hidden defects not discoverable through reasonable инспекция (10-year limit)
- The clock starts when the дефект is discovered or should have been discovered
- Expert показания may be needed to establish when discovery occurred
✅ Контрольный Список Доказательств
Building a strong construction дефект case requires comprehensive documentation. Use this checklist to gather the доказательства you need.
📋 Contract Documentation
- ✓ Written contract with scope of work
- ✓ All change orders and amendments
- ✓ Plans, specifications, and drawings
- ✓ Payment records and invoices
📷 Дефект Documentation
- ✓ Photos of all defects (dated)
- ✓ Video documentation of water intrusion, etc.
- ✓ Written description of each дефект
- ✓ Timeline of when defects appeared
🔧 Professional Reports
- ✓ Инспекция reports from licensed inspectors
- ✓ Engineering or structural assessments
- ✓ Ремонт estimates from licensed подрядчикs
- ✓ Building code нарушение notices
💬 Коммуникации
- ✓ All emails and texts with подрядчик
- ✓ Written исковое заявлениеs sent to подрядчик
- ✓ Подрядчик's responses and promises to ремонт
- ✓ Any гарантия documents
Подрядчик License Verification
Before proceeding, verify your подрядчик's license status at the CSLB website (cslb.ca.gov). Document:
- License number and classification
- License status (active, suspended, revoked)
- Bond information and bonding company
- Any prior disciplinary actions
- Workers' компенсация страхование status
⚠ Unlicensed Подрядчик Work
If your подрядчик was unlicensed, you have additional remedies:
- Подрядчик cannot enforce the contract or sue you for payment
- вы можете взыскать all money paid (Business & Professions Code 7031)
- Criminal misdemeanor нарушениеs apply (B&P Code 7028)
- Report to CSLB for investigation and prosecution
💰 Убытки
California law allows домовладелецs to recover multiple types of убытки for construction defects, including ремонт costs, diminution in value, and consequential убытки.
Recoverable Убытки
| Damage Type | Описание | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Ремонт | Reasonable cost to ремонт defects to acceptable standard | Primary measure of убытки; get multiple estimates |
| Diminution in Value | Reduction in property value if ремонт is impossible/impractical | Requires appraisal; alternative to ремонт costs |
| Косвенные Убытки | Temporary housing, storage, lost rent, damaged belongings | Must be foreseeable and proven |
| Expert/Investigation Costs | Инспекцияs, engineering reports, testing | Recoverable as part of убытки |
| Адвокат Fees | If contract includes fee provision or statutory basis | Check your contract for fee clause |
📊 Пример Расчёта Убытков
Example: Roof and Water Intrusion Defects
Bond Claims
The подрядчик's $25,000 license bond provides an additional source of взыскание:
🔒 Direct Filing
File directly with the bonding company listed on CSLB website; no судебный иск required
🕑 Timing
2 года from нарушение or 1 год from completion date, whichever is later
💰 Limits
$25,000 minimum; may be shared among multiple claimants if exceeded
📋 Documentation
Отправить written требование with доказательства of нарушениеs and убытки
💡 Multiple Взыскание Sources
You can pursue multiple remedies simultaneously:
- Подрядчик's Bond: Up to $25,000 from bonding company
- CSLB Исковое Заявление: May result in restitution order
- Civil Судебный Иск: Full убытки plus адвокат fees if contractual
- Small Claims: Up to $12,500 (or $6,250 for business claims)
📝 Образец Текста
Use these paragraphs to draft your construction дефект требование. Customize the highlighted portions for your specific situation.
Dear [CONTRACTOR NAME]:
This letter constitutes formal notice that the construction work you performed at [PROPERTY ADDRESS] under our contract dated [DATE] contains serious defects that violate the standards of good workmanship required under California кодекс о бизнесе и профессиях Sections 7109 and 7110, as well as our contract specifications.
[DESCRIBE SPECIFIC DEFECTS - e.g., "The foundation exhibits multiple cracks exceeding 1/4 inch in width, indicating improper concrete mix, inadequate curing, or insufficient reinforcement. The floor framing in the living area is visibly sagging, with a deflection of approximately 1 inch over 12 feet, suggesting undersized joists or improper joist spacing."]
These conditions violate California Building Code requirements and represent a material departure from the plans and specifications without our consent, in нарушение of B&P Code Section 7109.
[DESCRIBE SPECIFIC DEFECTS - e.g., "Water is entering through the roof at multiple locations during rain events, causing damage to interior ceilings and walls. The flashing at the roof-to-wall transition was improperly installed without step flashing. The roof underlayment is torn and improperly lapped. Exterior stucco lacks proper weep screeds and has reverse laps allowing water penetration."]
Under California гражданский кодекс Section 896(a), residential construction must not allow unintended water to pass beyond or around the exterior weather-resistant barriers. Your work fails to meet this standard.
This notice is provided в соответствии с California гражданский кодекс Section 910, the Right to Ремонт Act (SB 800). This property was sold as new residential construction on [DATE].
The following defects violate the standards set forth in гражданский кодекс Section 896:
[LIST DEFECTS BY CATEGORY - Water intrusion (CC 896(a)), Structural (CC 896(b)), Plumbing (CC 896(e)), Electrical (CC 896(f)), etc.]
в соответствии с гражданский кодекс Section 910, you have 14 days from receipt of this notice to acknowledge receipt and schedule an инспекция. Under Section 913, you have 14 days from acknowledgment to complete your инспекция. Under Section 914, you then have 30 days to make a written offer to ремонт.
[ITEMIZE: Structural ремонтные работы: $X; Waterproofing ремонтные работы: $X; Interior ремонтные работы: $X; etc.]
Кроме того, we have incurred the following consequential убытки:
- Инспекция and engineering reports: $[AMOUNT]
- Temporary housing during ремонтные работы: $[AMOUNT]
- Damaged personal property: $[AMOUNT]
TOTAL DAMAGES: $[TOTAL]
1. REPAIR: Complete all necessary ремонтные работы within [30/60] days using licensed subподрядчикs, at your expense, with ремонтные работы subject to our инспекция and approval; OR
2. PAYMENT: Pay the total убытки of $[AMOUNT] в течение 15 дней, allowing us to hire our own подрядчикs for ремонтные работы.
If we do not receive a satisfactory response within [15/30] days, we will:
- File a исковое заявление with the Подрядчикs State License Board
- File a требование against your подрядчик's license bond
- Initiate legal action to recover our убытки plus адвокат fees
Please be advised that your license bond (Bond Нет. [NUMBER] with [BONDING COMPANY]) is subject to claims for нарушениеs of the Подрядчикs State License Law.
🚀 Следующие Шаги
Construction дефект cases can be resolved through negotiation, CSLB исковое заявлениеs, bond claims, or судебный процесс. Here is the process to follow.
Recommended Timeline
Step 1: Document Everything
Photograph all defects, gather contracts and communications, and obtain at least two ремонт estimates from licensed подрядчикs.
Step 2: Verify License and Bond
Check the подрядчик's license status at cslb.ca.gov. Note the bond number and bonding company for potential bond требование.
Step 3: Отправить Требование
Отправить certified letter with уведомление о вручении. For SB 800 claims, follow the specific notice requirements of гражданский кодекс 910.
Step 4: Allow Response Time
Give подрядчик 15-30 days to respond (or follow SB 800 timelines if applicable). Document any response or lack thereof.
Step 5: Pursue Remedies
If no satisfactory response, file CSLB исковое заявление, bond требование, and/or судебный иск simultaneously.
CSLB Исковое Заявление Process
Filing a CSLB исковое заявление can result in license discipline and restitution orders:
-
File Online or by Mail
Отправить исковое заявление at cslb.ca.gov or call (800) 321-CSLB. Include all documentation, photos, and your требование.
-
CSLB Investigation
An Enforcement Representative will investigate, potentially including site инспекция. Подрядчик will be asked to respond.
-
Resolution Options
CSLB may facilitate мировое соглашение, order арбитраж, cite the подрядчик, or refer for administrative prosecution.
-
License Discipline
Serious нарушениеs can result in license suspension, revocation, or conditions requiring restitution.
Bond Требование Process
-
Identify the Bonding Company
Find bond information on CSLB license lookup at cslb.ca.gov.
-
Отправить Written Требование
Отправить требование to bonding company with all documentation of подрядчик нарушениеs and your убытки.
-
Bonding Company Investigation
Company will investigate and may request additional information or documentation.
-
Payment or Отказ
If требование is approved, payment up to bond limit. If denied, you can pursue through CSLB or суд.
⚠ Когда Нанять Адвоката
Consider hiring a construction дефект адвокат if:
- Убытки exceed $25,000 (beyond bond limit)
- Defects involve structural or safety issues
- SB 800 procedures apply (complex process)
- Подрядчик disputes ответственность or has a адвокат
- Multiple parties involved (subподрядчикs, developers)
- You need expert показания (engineering, architecture)
Get a Construction Law Consultation
Construction дефект cases involve complex technical and legal issues. Get a consultation with an experienced California construction адвокат.
Записаться на Консультацию - $125Ресурсы Калифорнии
- CSLB License Lookup: cslb.ca.gov - Verify license, find bond info, file исковое заявлениеs
- CSLB Consumer Guide: cslb.ca.gov/Consumers - Hiring подрядчикs, filing исковое заявлениеs
- Самопомощь Судов Калифорнии: selfhelp.courts.ca.gov - Small claims and civil procedures
- State Bar Адвокат Referral: calbar.ca.gov - Find construction law адвокатs