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Saturday, 15 June 2013

The Facts On Commercial Building Defects

By Craig Nisbett


Commercial buildings refers to units that are utilized for commercial use. There are numerous types, including retail, office space and warehouses. In urban places, the properties may serve multiple functions. An examples of this would be a building that has multiple levels that are divided into office and retails spaces. Strict regulations are often enforced for commercial zoning. Commercial building defects can create serious problems. It is best that safety precautions be taken and insurance be in place.

Despite the growth and innovation in the industry of construction, structural imperfections are still a reality. The construction of structures and buildings has become more complicated. Innovative materials, new developments and complex designs, as well as time and cost restraints, impact the quality of these units. This compromised quality can lead to potential hazards.

Defects are not only dangerous but also costly and can damage the reputation of businesses. Having proper insurance is a cost-effective solution for these problems. For issues that are related to the structure of a building that are discovered years after completion, the contractors are usually expected to fix and take responsibility for. Proof of liability is required in these instances, which may take a long period of time.

Proving negligence is another difficult task. This is hard to do because there are a lot of people who are involved in constructing buildings and usually responsibilities are shared among these parties. In such cases, the legal process is usually slow and fixing or restoring the building is put on hold during this process.

IDI or inherent defects insurance is used to reduce the risk of property owners in such situations. This type of insurance may also be known as latent defects or building defects insurance. IDI is designed to cover physical damage of property as a result of poor materials, workmanship or design. Another positive to having this is that policyholders are not forced to show proof of negligence when they file a claim. The defect is identified and the policyholder then files the claim. There is no need to discuss or clarify liability with the contractors, and usually repairs and restoration can begin immediately.

As a preventative measure, owners are encouraged to utilize inspection services. There are many professional companies that are available to inspect structures following construction. These services are not free but may be an expense worth making, as it can save on future costs.

Proper inspections of this type include examination of all areas of the property, which includes the structural integrity. All of the imperfections are taken note of in the final report that is given when all is done. From this point, the owner must take the initiative to fix the issues. An inspection may be performed on a new or old building. Once the issues have been shared with the owner, it is in their best interest not to ignore these fixes.

Commercial building defects can prove dangerous and costly. These types of structures are used on a regular basis for a variety of purposes. They may be employed for commercial purposes and often include retail or office spaces, or warehouses. There are a few things that building owners can do to prevent these problems, such as paying for inspection services and insurance.




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