Defect

As a result of inspecting hundreds of recently built houses, units,and additions (particularly since 1996), it became increasinglyapparent that there has been a sharp decline in the quality ofwork at least in the residential housing sector. This book attempts to defi ne basic contractual termssuchas defect, specifi cation, and performancethat form the verybasis for quality in housing. Once defi ned, these terms should go a long way to endingthe shortcutting rife in the industry, make insurance fairer forhomeowners, and greatly reduce the costs associated withbuilding disputes. It also attempts to set up various models to make this all happenand to ensure that quality is of a high standard well into the futureso as to avoid a sizeable blight resulting from the steady declinein the standard of building work being constructed today.