How to spot substandard work, what your rights are, and how to get it fixed.
Defective work is far easier to prevent than to rectify, and most of it is visible to a homeowner who knows what to look at. Waterproofing, flashings, framing tolerances and drainage falls account for a large share of serious claims — and all of them can be checked before the work is covered up.
This topic covers what to inspect at each stage, the statutory warranties that apply in each state, and the escalation path when a builder will not return.