Is It Possible To File An Insurance Claim For Poor Workmanship?

Although you may be insured if a contractor destroys your property, your homeowner's insurance will not cover losses caused by bad workmanship. When a contractor installs anything improperly, does sloppy work, or their design is unsatisfactory, you will have to reach some sort of agreement with them on how to rectify the poor quality of work. In the event that no compromise can be reached, you may file a complaint with the government agency that issued their license or even start a legal suit.

What's Covered: Defects vs. Defects In Workmanship

The following instances illustrate how your homeowner's insurance coverage may cover damages but not substandard workmanship:

A plumber installs pipes improperly, resulting in a leak. Your homeowner's insurance may cover water damage to your walls, floors, and furniture up to the policy's limits. However, it is unlikely that the expense of reinstalling the pipes will be compensated.

An electrician mistakenly connects a room, resulting in a fire. Your insurance may cover up to the policy's limitations the damage to your home and valuables caused by the fire, but not the expense to rewire the system.

A contractor installs a built-in entertainment unit in a hurry, resulting in the fall of a shelf. Insurance will likely not cover the cost of rebuilding the unit, but it may pay to repair or replace damaged items, such as your television or gaming console.

The contractor topples a ladder, which shatters your sliding glass doors. Your homeowner's insurance may cover the expense to replace the damaged doors.

On certain items, your policy may impose a deductible and/or a sublimit. Your insurance company may pursue compensation from the party at fault for the damages.

What Should I Do If My Contractor Causes Property Damage To My Neighbor (or vice versa)?

If a contractor causes damage to a neighbor's property, your contractor should contact the neighbor's insurance provider. Alternatively, if your neighbor's contractor causes damage to your property, that contractor will be held accountable.

Perform Due Diligence Before Employing A Contractor

Before signing a work contract, verifying a contractor's credentials and track record is the most effective method for avoiding subpar or substandard results.

Ensure they have insurance coverage. This can facilitate reimbursement if the contractor causes damage to your property and may cover any damages they create to your home.

Examine their prior work. Read reviews, examine images of their previous work, or ask dependable friends and family members for referrals.

Verify their credentials. Independent contractors must possess a valid business license. If you hire an unlicensed contractor who performs unsafe or non-compliant work, you may be accountable for fixing the problem. You can verify a contractor's license through the Better Business Bureau or by requesting the contractor's license number and verifying it with your state's licensing board.