Comments on: Decatur’s Artisan Residents Sue Developer Over Construction Defects

By: George Hedrick

George Hedrick — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 19:27:42 +0000

Same as any condo, town home or new speculatively built home you would buy. Who knows what the contractor did right or wrong….until it breaks. Safest & most expensive is to do the research, check references & pay a good architect to design, then hire a reputable general contractor to build for you & you sleep at night. Doesn’t hurt a bit to retain the architect to supervise the construction, keeps corners from being cut. Ask yourself, is cheap now worth the expense to later be dealing with a very expense fix? Legal recourse is not always your friend. Actually, the current economy makes for the cheapest you will ever get this done right.

By: Brianc

Brianc — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 18:04:18 +0000

How, then, might this affect potential buyers and sellers of this property?

By: Left Wing

Left Wing — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 02:10:44 +0000

that was brilliant!

By: taxus

taxus — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:06:03 +0000

Wasn’t this building constructed during the Bush Administration?

By: George Hedrick

George Hedrick — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:14:57 +0000

In residential construction it has been banned, essentially by the insurance companies writing general contractor’s liability policies. Only a subcontractor with specific coverage for synthetic stucco can install it. Only a very foolish general contractor would hire an uninsured subcontractor to install the product. This has caused the cost to rise therefore you seldom see it any more on new houses. Building codes have banned it in some areas in residential otherwise the code requires in to be installed by a “certified & trained” installer & meet specific installation requirements. Insurance is the most effect method to restrict poor construction practices & materials. The Artisan is multifamily which differs from the residential code in a number of areas. Contractor’s liability insurance can differs as well, depending on the carrier. Decatur & the entire of Georgia is bound to the International Building Code for 1 & 2 Family Dwellings. This is not one.