30 years of litigation experience.
Types of Construction Defect Cases JTT Law Handles
JTT Law handles most types of construction, home improvement, and remodeling defect cases. A few of the most common are listed below, but if yours isn't there, or you're unsure whether it qualifies, get in touch. James will call you back personally within 24 hours.
Poor Workmanship
Material Defects
Structural Defects
Mine Subsidence & Foundation Movement
Mechanics Lien Disputes
Water Damage & Leaks
What is a Construction Defect?
A construction defect is a flaw in how a home was designed or built, or the materials used to build it, serious enough to cause real damage, make the home unsafe, or leave it unsuitable for the purpose it was built for.
A construction defect isn't just an inconvenience, it can mean:
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The home is unsafe to live in, such as a structural issue that puts the building's stability at risk
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The home is unsuitable for its intended purpose, such as chronic flooding in a basement that was supposed to be livable space
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​The home has lost real value, since a house with a known structural or foundation issue is generally worth measurably less than it would be otherwise
These defects generally fall into a few categories, and understanding which one applies to your situation can help clarify what happened and why.
01
Workmanship Defects
This is the most common type: the design and materials were fine, but the work itself wasn’t done properly.
For example, a roof installed without the proper waterproofing details around chimneys, vents, or edges can let water seep in slowly over time, causing hidden rot, damage and leaks. Or a foundation that wasn’t poured evenly can settle unevenly too, leading to floors that visibly slope.
02
Design Defects
This is a flaw in the plans themselves, before a single wall was ever built. If an architect or engineer designs a home’s drainage, structure or foundation incorrectly, the home can be built according to plan and still fail.
For example, a house designed without adequate drainage around the foundation can lead to chronic water intrusion no matter how well the construction followed the blueprint.
03
Material Defects
This happens when the materials used to build the home are substandard, defective, or simply the wrong materials for the job, even if the workmanship itself was fine.
For example, using a lower-grade lumber, piping, or roofing materials can lead to problems like premature roof failure, plumbing leads, or structural weakness years before it should have needed replacing.
04
Site and Land Defects
Sometimes the problem isn’t the home itself, but the ground it was built on. In parts of Western Pennsylvania, homes are sometimes built over old coal mines without this being properly accounted for. Over time, the ground above these old mines can shift or collapse slightly, causing the house built on top to move with it.
For example, this can lead to cracking walls and floors, doors and windows that no longer close, and in more serious cases, affect the structural integrity of the home. It also raises real safety concerns, and can make the home very difficult to insure or sell.
How Much Does a Construction Defect Lawyer Cost?
Every construction claim starts with a brief phone call at no cost, so James can hear what's going on and get a sense of whether this is something he can help with.
If your situation needs a closer look, whether that's reviewing your contract, correspondence with a builder or contractor, or other documents, that deeper review is offered as a flat-fee consultation, agreed upfront so there are no surprises. The initial call is free, and anything beyond that is a clearly stated flat fee.
If James takes on your case, these matters are typically handled on an hourly basis. This means you're billed for the time spent on your case as it progresses. The exact fee structure depends on the specifics of your situation, and James will walk you through exactly what to expect, before any work begins.
Free Phone Consultation · Flat-Fee Review · Hourly Billing
When Should Someone Contact a Construction Defect Lawyer?
There isn't one single deadline that applies to every construction case. How much time you have depends on how your claim is framed:
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Breach of contract claims generally must be filed within four years.
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Negligence or property damage claims generally must be filed within two years of when the problem occurred or was discovered.
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In limited cases, if a defect was genuinely hidden and couldn't reasonably have been discovered sooner, this deadline may be extended slightly, though courts apply this narrowly.
On top of these deadlines, there's also an absolute outer limit: no construction defect claim can generally be brought more than 12 years after the project was completed, regardless of when the problem is discovered. If a defect first shows up in year 10, 11, or 12, there's a limited extension allowing you to file up to 14 years after completion; beyond that, the claim is generally barred entirely, no matter how serious the issue turns out to be.​
How Long Do You Have to File a Construction Defect Claim?
This matters most for something like mine subsidence, where problems can take years, sometimes over a decade, to become visible.
Because the right deadline depends on how your specific situation is legally framed, the safest approach is not to guess. The sooner you speak with James, the sooner he can identify which timeline applies to your case and make sure nothing is at risk of being missed.
Get Answers About a Construction Defect Claim
If defective construction, water intrusion, unstable land, or other building problems have caused damage to your home or property, James can help you understand your rights and what steps may be available. He will review the circumstances personally and help you determine whether legal action may be appropriate.
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Direct Access to Your Attorney, From Start to Finish
$23M recovered for clients | 30 years of litigation experience | Trial-ready, not settlement-only | Every case handled personally by James
Direct attorney access matters because you shouldn't have to settle for less than the attorney you were promised. With 30+ years of experience, James is rare in doing the opposite of most firms: staying personally attached to every case, regardless of size.
That means you're treated as a client, not a file number. The details and nuances of your case don't get lost between staff. You're not hiring three decades of experience only to have the bulk of the work done by someone with less than one, and your case won't get quietly handed off to a junior because it isn't the firm's biggest one.
You need to know that the person deciding your case's strategy has actually seen situations like yours, not learning on the job at your expense.