Construction Defects

For 25 years, the Law Offices of Daral B. Mazzarella, APC has successfully represented residential and commercial property owners in construction defects matters throughout San Diego County, from Del Mar to National City.

Daral Mazzarella represents owners of both single family homes and multi-family homes, such as condominiums, as well as Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and owners of commercial buildings, such as office buildings and hotels.  As a General Contractor, licensed since 1977, Mr. Mazzarella is uniquely qualified to obtain the maximum possible recovery for his clients.  This former hands-on experience as a builder allows him to fully understand the complexities involved in construction defect claims, giving his clients an advantage in litigation.  In addition, Mr. Mazzarella works with forensic construction experts to identify construction defects, determine the best method of repair, and calculate the costs of remedying defects.

Construction Defects

Construction defects are conditions of any project that violate building codes or other regulations, depart from manufacturers' recommendations or installation requirements, or fail to meet industry standards, and which cause damage to the property or building.  Although the vigilance of lawyers such as Mr. Mazzarella has resulted in an overall improvement in the general quality of construction work, defects remain a substantial problem throughout the construction industry.

Construction defects can affect any part of a property, from a building's foundation or its roof, to improvements such as driveways, landscaping, retaining walls, and swimming pools.  These defects can cause serious damage to property and may require expensive repairs to prevent further damage or make the construction conform to a building code.  Mr. Mazzarella has extensive experience assisting clients in obtaining the financial recovery needed to remedy these defects.  In particular, he commonly assists with the following types of construction defects:

• Soil Defects:Improperly graded soils, improperly compacted soils, or the use of expansive or corrosive soils can cause settlement or movement of the ground, leading to cracks in foundations, slabs, or walls; misalignment of doors and windows; leakage of water into the building; or damage to concrete, hold-downs, and other restraints needed to resist earthquakes, or other components.

• Water Damage & Mold Growth:  Water damage and dangerous mold growth can be caused by improperly applied lath, "tar paper," stucco, or other building surfaces; faulty roof construction, installation, or use of defective roofing materials; improper painting or other weather-proofing systems; and inadequate vapor barrier under slab, slab cracks, or improperly designed and constructed slabs.  Water and mold damage can also be caused by leaky doors and windows due to the use of defective products; improper installation of waterproofing paper or flashing or tears in waterproofing paper; failure to install flashing at heads, jambs, and sills; and the use of non-galvanized lath. 

• Defective Products & Installations:Defective plumbing, electrical, or heating and air conditioning systems can result from the improper design, installation, or use of defective products.

Seek Qualified Representation

Construction defect cases can be highly complex, requiring the property owner to understand the root of a defect, find the responsible party among all the developers, builders, and product manufacturers, and determine the costs of repair.  Daral B. Mozzarella uses his years of experience as a general contractor and litigator to simplify the process for his clients.  For a free consultation about your claim, contact the Law Offices of Daral B. Mazzarella, APC today.