AREAS OF PRACTICE
Automobile Collisions
Trucking Collisions
Motorcycle Collisions
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Wrongful Death
Legal Malpractice
Dog Attacks
Slip & Fall Incidents
Defective & Recalled Drugs & Pharmaceuticals
Personal Injury Cases
Consumer Protection Law
Home & Condominium Construction Defects
Aircraft Accidents
Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents
Defective Products, including Defective Medical Devices
Unfair Debt Collection
Steve Watrel, P.A.
6129 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Local Phone: (904) 723-0030
Toll Free: (800) 792-8735
Trucking Collisions
Motorcycle Collisions
Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect
Wrongful Death
Legal Malpractice
Dog Attacks
Slip & Fall Incidents
Defective & Recalled Drugs & Pharmaceuticals
Personal Injury Cases
Consumer Protection Law
Home & Condominium Construction Defects
Aircraft Accidents
Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents
Defective Products, including Defective Medical Devices
Unfair Debt Collection
Steve Watrel, P.A.
6129 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32211
Local Phone: (904) 723-0030
Toll Free: (800) 792-8735
Home & Condominium Construction Defects
For most people, purchasing a home or condominium is the biggest investment of their lifetime. Because of the recent Florida “real estate boom,” homes and condos are being built in record numbers and in record time, sometimes with little regard for quality. Some developers and contractors are cutting corners by using substandard materials and employing unskilled laborers.
Many people literally invest their life savings only to later find out that their home has major construction defects such as a cracking foundation, leaking roof, building code violations or toxic mold. Many of these defects do not show up for months or even for years after construction has been completed. Sadly, many people are left with a home or condo that cannot even be sold for a sum that covers the mortgage on the property.
Steve Watrel, P.A. represents homeowners and homeowners’ associations in claims against residential home and condominium real estate developers, contractors and other parties involving construction defects. We handle cases including significant construction defects including the following problems:
There are time limits on filing a lawsuit so it is important that you take immediate steps to protect your rights. You should immediately gather all documents related to the purchase of your home or condo, including brochures, marketing materials, contracts to purchase, warranties, mortgage financing documents and any photographs you have. Place these documents in a safe and secure place. Do not give your original documents to anyone; if you have to provide documents, make copies for others and keep your originals.
Also, a homeowner and homeowners’ association may be required by law to notify the developer or contractor of the defect in writing before a lawsuit can be filed. If applicable, the homeowner and homeowners’ association is required to give the developer or contractor a certain statutory time period within which to remedy the problem. If the developer or contractor remedies the problem or agrees to pay damages within the statutory time period, then generally no lawsuit can be brought for damages. Although this law would appear to be straight forward, it is actually complex and can create traps for the inexperienced. Some homeowners who represent themselves may fail to follow the “letter of the law” and end up losing their right to bring a lawsuit based upon a technicality. The construction industry lobbied hard to get this law enacted for one reason: It favors the industry over consumers. So call our office as soon as possible to ensure this doesn’t happen to you.
If you are a victim of poor construction, or know someone who has been a victim of poor construction, please call Steve Watrel, P.A. at (904) 723-0030, or (800) SWATREL (792-8735), or submit an online request. The initial consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation.
For most people, purchasing a home or condominium is the biggest investment of their lifetime. Because of the recent Florida “real estate boom,” homes and condos are being built in record numbers and in record time, sometimes with little regard for quality. Some developers and contractors are cutting corners by using substandard materials and employing unskilled laborers.
Many people literally invest their life savings only to later find out that their home has major construction defects such as a cracking foundation, leaking roof, building code violations or toxic mold. Many of these defects do not show up for months or even for years after construction has been completed. Sadly, many people are left with a home or condo that cannot even be sold for a sum that covers the mortgage on the property.
Steve Watrel, P.A. represents homeowners and homeowners’ associations in claims against residential home and condominium real estate developers, contractors and other parties involving construction defects. We handle cases including significant construction defects including the following problems:
- Cracking foundations or slabs
- Cracking walls Leaking roofs
- Leaking windows
- Water intrusion
- Toxic mold
- Improper soil compaction
- Building code violations
- Other problems causing significant damage
There are time limits on filing a lawsuit so it is important that you take immediate steps to protect your rights. You should immediately gather all documents related to the purchase of your home or condo, including brochures, marketing materials, contracts to purchase, warranties, mortgage financing documents and any photographs you have. Place these documents in a safe and secure place. Do not give your original documents to anyone; if you have to provide documents, make copies for others and keep your originals.
Also, a homeowner and homeowners’ association may be required by law to notify the developer or contractor of the defect in writing before a lawsuit can be filed. If applicable, the homeowner and homeowners’ association is required to give the developer or contractor a certain statutory time period within which to remedy the problem. If the developer or contractor remedies the problem or agrees to pay damages within the statutory time period, then generally no lawsuit can be brought for damages. Although this law would appear to be straight forward, it is actually complex and can create traps for the inexperienced. Some homeowners who represent themselves may fail to follow the “letter of the law” and end up losing their right to bring a lawsuit based upon a technicality. The construction industry lobbied hard to get this law enacted for one reason: It favors the industry over consumers. So call our office as soon as possible to ensure this doesn’t happen to you.
If you are a victim of poor construction, or know someone who has been a victim of poor construction, please call Steve Watrel, P.A. at (904) 723-0030, or (800) SWATREL (792-8735), or submit an online request. The initial consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation.
