Why Miami Is So Vulnerable to Construction Defects

Miami’s unique real estate development market makes it particularly vulnerable to construction defects. A reliance on foreign buyers who are more tethered to the ups and downs of the economy makes the timing of construction in Miami more heavily dependent on the market. Real estate developers need to get all their projects up and sold and that process happens in accordance with boom and bust cycles. As compared to other real estate development markets, Miami’s tends to swing more quickly and more sharply. Even the work of the best construction experts and tradespeople can only be so accurate when constrained by the time limits that the market imposes.

To make matters worse, trade workers in Miami often lack proper training and skills. Labor unions are not required for the laborers used on construction projects, thus contractors end up hiring more transient and less-experienced labor, which leads to more defects.

Given Miami’s physical environment, construction mistakes are often magnified and exacerbated. From the amount of rainfall Miami experiences, to corrosive salt air and the excessive humidity and heat, defect can quickly become a life and safety issues or defects that leads to a major renovation and/or a lawsuit.

However, the warmth and proximity to the water are also Miami’s greatest assets. Seaside construction attracts people from all over the world who want to invest in prime property or have a second home. Developers and investors want to capitalize on these assets and develop buildings that offer well-designed outdoor spaces, access to the water, and stunning views. All of these amenities expose buildings to Miami’s physical environment in a way that leaves little room for error.

Nevertheless, errors abound, and construction defects are a major concern and focus of high rise construction in Miami.   Thus, the repair and remediation costs pile up. Not to mention the impacts of major storm events such as hurricanes, if there are windows and doors which blow out.

Because of these unique characteristics that make Miami buildings more vulnerable to construction defects, it is vital that condo associations hire expert construction attorneys and condo attorneys like us to walk them through the inspection process when a developer turns over a building to the unit owners, or a board of directors is charged with the responsibility of remediating defects, or even of performing a 40 year certification on an older structure.  Hiring an attorney early in the process can affect the ultimate success of potential construction defect claims or, in the case of a remediation project or 40-year certification, save money. Contact us today if you have any questions and/or need the advice of construction and condominium attorneys to assist you.