NAHB’s legal team works with NAHB’s Construction Liability, Risk Management and Building Materials Committee to minimize construction defect and builder liability problems that may arise with construction and remodeling. NAHB attorneys monitor building product defect problems, study and recommend methods of reducing builder liability, and work cooperatively with manufacturers, insurers, product trade groups and other interested parties on builder liability issues.
- 2014 Fall Board Legal Presentation. Understand how builders can anticipate, manage and address new product defect claims.
- BIM Legal Risks: An Overview. Building Information Modeling (BIM) use is both evolving and on the rise, with more and more contractors using BIM in a dynamic, collaborative way to benefit a wide array of construction projects. BIM use calls for assessment and management of the risks involved.
- Builder Resources on Chinese Drywall. NAHB has assembled information for members to become knowledgeable about Chinese drywall and to learn about available resources.
- Effects of Reflected Sunlight from Low-e and Other Double-Paned Window Glass: Glass in double-paned windows may slightly warp or deflect due to a difference in barometric pressure between the interior of the glass panes and the outside air. This can create a concavity in the glass, causing an effect similar to light passing through a magnifying glass. The heat generated by the focused reflected sunlight can damage nearby vinyl siding.
- Buildings & Concerns over Lightning Strikes. The Home Innovation Research Labs (formerly the NAHB Research Center) revisited this issue on 2011.
- Radon in Granite Countertops. Despite some news reports to the contrary. the most popular granites used in homes in the United States do not have measurable radon amounts, while others are well below levels that would require any action steps, and thus do not pose health risks.
- Green Building. Learn more about the legal aspects of green building.
- Carpet Soiling: Questions & Answers for Builders
- Builder Resources: Water and Moisture Intrusion. Builders work to avoid water intrusion and insufficient drainage, which both pose a threat to the durability of their homes. Here is a look at construction methods to help keep moisture levels in exterior walls from exceeding acceptable maximum levels, including a building enclosure with a “rain screen.”
- Moisture Management in Residential Construction Series. These Toolbase videos to assist builders were prepared with NAHB assistance,
- Dealing with Mold Claims. Review NAHB’s mold resources and learn how builders, property owners and property managers can minimize mold claims and defend against litigation.
WHITE PAPERS AND ARTICLES
- Insurance Coverage for Claims of Latent Defects: What Protection is a Builder Buying? Updated for 2015, this white paper discusses the types of liability insurance coverage for latent construction defect claims.
- Distracted Driving Guidance. Employers need to be aware that their employees’ use of a cell phone while driving can cause potential liability issues.
- Multifamily Owner’s and Manager’s Guide Regarding Bed Bug Issues
- Lessons Learned from 10,000 Structural Claims. Twenty-five percent of all U.S. homes will experience some structural distress over their lifetime and 5% will experience major structural difficulties. What can a builder do?
- New Problems, Old Headaches. The increase in litigation may be the result of a change in the attitude of the courts toward builders and consumers.
- NAHB Research Center Report on CSST for Fuel Gas Distribution in 2014 Construction Law Seminar. This presentation focuses on construction law issues and discusses several issues currently facing contractors.
- Risk Transfer for Trade Contractors. Contractors must understand the risks of construction activities that they are responsible for and the methods available to them for managing such risks.
- You’re an “Additional Insured” – What Coverage Are You Getting? Understand what coverage builders may receive as an “additional insured” on their subcontractor’s CGL policy.