Construction defects can quickly make a dream home or business a nightmare. These defects reduce the value of your property, hurting the investment you’ve made.

A construction defect can occur in many forms, but some common defects include things like water damage from poor seals or poor craftmanship. Some other common kinds of construction defects involve water issues, problems with your electrical systems, issues with drainage, problems with dry rot, problems with the floors, walls or roofing, landscaping and soil concerns and molding problems.

To be able to make a claim against the company, you need to show how the defect occurred. A patent defect is more obvious and easier to show evidence of to the court. Latent defects may take years to develop, making it harder to show that it was a result of poor work on your property.

When you talk to your attorney, he or she may inform you about the different kinds of damages you can expect in your case. Every case is different, but some common damages include the decline in the value of your home and the cost of repairing your home. You could also be entitled to compensation for hotel stays while you wait for your home to be repaired.

If you got hurt because of the defects, then you can seek compensation from the company responsible so that you can have your medical bills and lost wages reimbursed. In most cases, the construction team’s insurance covers claims like this, so your attorney can work to negotiate a fair settlement with them.

Source: FindLaw, “Construction Defect FAQs,” accessed April 20, 2017