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Defective Workmanship By Builders And Contractors & The Consumer’s Legal Rights

Arizona allows property owners several legal remedies or causes of action when it becomes necessary to litigate against builders and contractors for defective construction work that is performed in less than a workmanlike manner.

The various options may include the property owner choosing to file a complaint with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC) against the builder or contractor’s license, and/or filing a civil lawsuit for damages under the theories of breach of express or implied warranty, breach of contract, and the tort of negligence.

When deciding which of these causes of action to pursue, the property owner should take into consideration the nature and extent of the defects, the nature of the resulting damages, and the time that has elapsed since the acts giving rise to the cause of action.

Consumer Complaint With Arizona Registrar of Contractor

First, the property owner’s initial course of action should always be to file a complaint with the Arizona Registrar of Contractors (ROC), based on its broad licensing and regulatory authority over contracting activities, including residential contractors and subcontractors.

The rules of the Arizona Registrar of Contractors require that “All work shall be done in a workmanlike manner,” and establish minimum standards for good and workmanlike construction practices.

Moreover, Arizona Revised Statutes, and particularly A.R.S. § 32-1154, impose requirements that include compliance with building plans, specifications and applicable building codes, as well as, compliance with the Registrar of Contractors rules that include the previously mentioned workmanship standards.

One of the most effective ways for a consumer to get a non-compliant or non-responsive contractor or subcontractor’s attention is to file a complaint with the Arizona Registrar of Contractor (ROC), primarily because this will result in the ROC schedule an inspector from the Registrar’s office to visit and inspect the worksite, and meet with the complainant and the licensee.

If the inspector determines that the work is unworkmanlike or incomplete, the inspector will issue a “corrective work order” directing the licensee to fix the problem usually within the next fifteen days from the date of the orders issuance, and followed up by the inspectors return to the work site to ensure that the problem has been satisfactorily addressed. If the problem cannot or is not addressed by the licensee through corrective work because of irreparable damage, or misuse of funds by the licensee, or the licensee is no longer licensed to do the work, the consumer/property owner has the option of proceeding to an administrative hearing, wherein an administrative law judge will determine whether the evidence demonstrates that the licensee has violated any number of provisions under the applicable licensing statute, A.R.S. § 32-1154.

It is the property owner’s burden to show through testimony, contracts and/or other documents executed between the parties, photographs, or through testimony of an expert witness that the contractor’s work fell below the minimum workmanship standards. However, the contractor also has the right to defend the allegations of the complaint by using similar method’s to show his work met the Registrar’s minimum required workmanship standards.

Only after first obtaining an award and findings that the minimum standards were violated and suspending or revoking the contractor’s license can the consumer property owner submit a claim for compensation through the Registrar’s Residential Contractor Recovery Fund. However, it is only after receiving an order that finds the contractor or subcontractor in violation and suspends or revokes the contractor’s license that a consumer can submit a claim for any type of compensation under the Registrar’s Residential Contractor Recovery Fund.

Most consumer’s find it advantageous to initially file a complaint with the Registrar of Contractors Office because this state agency can force the contractor to make corrective repairs to the unworkmanlike problems or suffer consequences that can involve the suspension or revocation of the contractor’s license if he/she fails to do so. Also, this process is usually much less formal, much quicker, and much less costly than the alternative course of action of filing a civil lawsuit in a superior court that usually requires the consumer to retain legal counsel to prosecute his/her claim or, to defend the claims likely put forth by the contractor.

The Registrar of Contractor complaint is most effective to force the licensees to fix, or complete, work during the continuum of the construction project.

However, a consumer’s right to file a complaint with the Registrar of Contractors is limited to a period of two years from the completion date of the project and the most that a consumer/homeowner can receive from the Recovery Fund is $30,000 per consumer. The consumer does not receive a judgment against the contractor that can otherwise be enforced or collected, but instead, the consumer submits a claim and may have to appear at a subsequent hearing to recover. The burden placed on the consumer to show that the contractor’s work was below the minimum workmanlike standard is less stringent than those required in an “at law” superior court action.

Finally, the consumer action brought before the Registrar of Contractors does not include claims by the consumer, or subsequent purchasers that do not have a contractual relationship with the original builder for consequential damages resulting from either damage to property or personal injuries caused by the faulty work.

There is also a method of recovery for a consumer that pursues their “at law” action through the superior court system and obtains a judgment against the contractor that ends up being uncollectable. The consumer can take his/her judgment and apply to the Registrar of Contractors Recovery Fund, but again, is limited to a maximum recovery of $30,000 per consumer, regardless of the total amount of the superior court judgment.

Superior Court “Actions at Law”

If the two-year limitations period for a Registrar of Contractor proceeding has expired, or the consumer does not feel that the Registrar of Contractors is the best venue for their claims, a consumer’s claims may be more effectively pursued in a superior court action under several legal theories including breach of warranty, contract, and tort (negligence).

Notice Required and Waiting Period: Arizona Revised Statute, A.R.S. §§ 12-1361, et seq., also referred to as the “Purchaser Dwelling Action” statutes, applies to any action brought against a “seller” of residential property arising out of the condition of the property and, initially requires that prior to filing an action in court the consumer must first provide written “Notice” (by certified mail, return receipt requested) to the “Seller” that advises the seller of the consumer’s intentions to bring a purchasing dwelling action, along with a statement of the factual and legal basis for each such action. If the defects exist in a “multi-unit dwelling action” (i.e. 5 or more owners joining in per A.R.S. §12-1361(5)), the description of reasonable details may list the defects in “sample units."

However, the responding “seller” also has the opportunity and right to formally respond with a “good faith written response” offering to make repairs and replace the defects at issue, or to provide monetary compensation or reimbursement to the complaining consumer to satisfy the dispute, including a “reasonable” estimate of when it will be done. Seller must respond (also via certified mail, return receipt requested) within sixty (60) of receipt of the purchaser’s notice, or the purchaser can stop waiting and just file his/her superior court cause of action.

Beware, for this statute to apply, the “seller” who is being sued has to be a person or entity “engaged in the business of designing, constructing, or selling dwellings.”The consumer may file an action in the superior court only after waiting ninety (90) days after providing the “seller” with the written notice of intent to file a purchaser dwelling action, or after sixty (60) days if the “seller” declines to respond.

If the “seller” issues a written response within the sixty day period, the purchaser will have twenty (20) days thereafter to issue a written reply, which can be a rejection (along with a written explanation of why it was rejected) or a counteroffer. The “seller” with than have ten (10) days to accept the purchaser’s counteroffer or make his “best and final offer” to purchaser. After the ninety (90) day waiting period has passed (or, 60 days if not response is received from the “seller”) and, if no agreement is reached, the purchaser can now commence arbitration (if applicable) or file the Complaint with the superior court. A.R.S. § 12-1363.

Following this notice requirement adds incentives for the seller/builder to resolve the dispute by providing him/her prior notice of pending legal action resulting from the defects and, it also allows the consumer to proceed with a lawsuit and recover its attorney’s fees, witness fees, and taxable costs pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-1364, but only if the relief obtain following the conclusion of the lawsuit is more favorable to the consumer/purchaser than that originally offered by the seller in its response to the original purchaser/consumer’s notice.

Superior Court Legal Theories of Liability

If the consumer/purchaser chooses to file an action in superior court system, the notice to the builder or seller should not only set for the relevant facts supporting each claim of defective workmanship, but should also put the builder or seller on notice of the specific legal grounds on which the builder/seller may be liable to the consumer/purchaser, including breach of contract, express and/or implied warranties, or tort.

  1. Contract - Express and Implied Warranties: A contractor may be liable under claims for breach of contract of express and/or implied warranties. Under current Arizona law, a builder is held responsible for defective conditions in a home under contract principles, including any express warranty on the work (usually limited by a one or two year time period), and also including an implied warranty of workmanlike performance and habitability. The implied warranty issue is of great importance, because it exists separate from any express warranties, and cannot be waived, contrary to what many builders and contractors believe. Moreover, the implied warranty applies in favor of subsequent purchasers of a home, not merely the initial consumer who has a contractual relationship (privy) with the builder. Furthermore, the implied warranty theory of liability is subject to the six-year state of limitations applicable to actions. this limitation period does not begin to run until the claimant knows or should reasonably know that he or she has been injured, allowing for a claim of injury under the implied warranty theory to be brought up many years after the work is completed. The implied warranty legal theory may broaden the scope of the action to also apply to a builder or developer in cases of improper grading, infill, or site preparation of a lot prior to construction of the residence.
  2. Tort Liability: The builder’s liability may also exist under tort legal principles, based on the Builder’s failure to construct a home in a workmanlike manner if there is resulting personal injury to the homeowner or property damage. Application of the discovery rule of the damage or personal injury means that the normal two year statute of limitation rule begins to run from the only from the date of reasonable discovery of the injury or damage by the consumer/purchaser. However, a tort claim may be brought in conjunction with an action for breach of contract or warranty.However, in order to bring a claim for negligence, the resulting injury or property damage has to be damage to a person or personal property, and not to the structure itself. Otherwise, if the consumer’s only damages are to the structure itself, it is very likely that a court will find that there is no proper tort claim based on the economic loss doctrine that forbids recovery in tort for damages sustained only to the structure in question, and not for personal injury or personal property damage.Arizona court’s, in the context of construction defects, tend to formulate the standard of liability under tort very similar to that of contract or implied warranty. However, certain aspects of a tort claim are different from actions arising out of contract, including the fact that tort claims do not entitle the successful party to recover its attorneys’ fees and, tort claim has a two year statute of limitation period from the date of discovery of the damage or injury. But, a tort claim is the only vehicle for recovering for personal injuries caused by the defective construction or condition and, while the two-year limitation period for a tort claim is obviously shorter that the six-year period applied to contract or implied warranty actions, the “Statute of Repose”, as discussed below, does not apply to tort claims.
  3. Statute of Repose: In the legislature’s effort to impose a definitive time limitation on all breach of warranty actions, in 1992 it enacted a statute of repose that essentially bars actions filed ore than eight years from the date the work was completed. More particularly, Arizona’s statute of repose under A.R.S. § 12-552(A), states:
    [N]o action or arbitration based in contract may be instituted or maintained against a person who develops or develops and sells real property, or performs or furnishes the design, specifications, surveying, planning, supervision, testing, construction or observation of construction of an improvement to real property more than eight years after substantial completion of the improvement to real property.

    The statute of repose expressly states that in no event can a claim based in contract be brought more than nine years after substantial completion, because Arizona’s statute of repose contains very little grace period up to one year, which applies only in the event that the latent defect is discovered during the eighth year after the substantial completion. However, this limitation applies only to actions “based in contract” and, it does not apply to tort or negligence actions, even between contracting parties.

If you have questions about construction defects, claims, or causes of action that might be available to you regarding unworkmanlike construction conditions caused by a builder or developer on your property, the real estate attorneys at Platt & Westby, P.C., can advise on which course of action you should take and the best potential claims and remedies to pursue to gain the most expedient, efficient and effective results.

Contact our law office or call 602-277-4441 to discuss your claim and receive our professional assistance in resolving your dispute.

If you have a legal question, contact us. We can help.


Daniel T
Daniel T
05:29 09 Sep 23
Mr Rahtz is a compassionate, knowledgeable and strong lawyer. He set reasonable expectations for my case and delivered results exceeding my goals! Mr Firas, another associate in the firm, is also great! Thank you!read more
Rhonda Rolf
Rhonda Rolf
23:56 08 Jun 23
Mr. Rahtz was attentive, extremely knowledgeable and confident with the available options he presented to address my situation. He did not make me feel rushed or insignificant. I very much appreciate the time he devoted to my consultation.read more
J.D. Purves
J.D. Purves
20:37 24 May 23
I've worked with both Pete Westby on a real estate contract and Andy Rahtz related to family law. In both situations they provided excellent service, I am both happy and confident in the work they performed as well as felt the prices are very fair. They offered free initial consultations and their were no surprises outside the initial prices quoted.read more
Cindy Morris
Cindy Morris
22:43 09 May 23
The people in this office are the nicest people I hired them and they got my case done in less than a week. They worked with me every step, answered all questions I would recommend them to everyone. Thank youread more
Zanzibar Vermiglio
Zanzibar Vermiglio
17:51 01 Feb 23
I have gone to these guys for years now. I'm so happy to my friend Allison for turning me on to them. From Real Estate Contract to business formation, they always know exactly how to engineer the right result. Beyond that, they just seem to care. Thanks guys.read more
Kimberly Just Kimberly
Kimberly Just Kimberly
00:24 15 Jul 22
EXCEPTIONAL - EXCEPTIONAL - EXCEPTIONAL!SO glad I did the free consultation!I have a dear 83 year old friend, I'm his POA, and a Trustee on his Revocable Living Trust.My friend wanted to make changes to his Trust, some which were just complicated enough to cause me concern about whether his original Trust could be amended to accommodate those changes, and whether I'd legally be able to enforce those changes -- to make sure his last wishes are honored -- when he passes.Our free consultation with Andy Rahtz, was invaluable in helping sort out our concerns! I am SO grateful, for my friend's sake!Andy went through our long list of "what if" questions, and gave SUCH great advice, taking the time to walk through the pros and cons of several ways we'd considered moving forward to accomplish what my friend wants to do.I appreciated SO much Andy's direct, frank, objective legal views, and because of this call, understand the best course of action, going forward, so *I* am able to best help my friend have his last wishes honored.I can't possibly give Andy a high enough endorsement for the peace of mind and GREAT legal advice he gave. Wow. Just wow.read more
Katie Filous Malka
Katie Filous Malka
00:23 25 Mar 22
I had a consult with Andy today, and as an attorney myself, I really appreciated his candor, honesty on Platt & Westby's expertise, and overall assistance. While it turns out they do not handle the type of case that I have, if you are looking for lawyers with integrity, these are your people. Their consult scheduling process was also very organized and easy. Thank you all!read more
MOhamed kone
MOhamed kone
01:23 24 Jan 22
I recommended this law farm to anybody need help need a classic Mind set you should got to them if you need fight for your case or not they will not waste your time or waste your money very straightforward honest great people great customer service tell you truth is not about money it’s about trustread more
Arteemaker
Arteemaker
14:13 04 Jan 22
The team at Platt & Westby is very professional and competent. They take the time to talk to you and come up with smart solutions. They are very hard working.read more
Steven Levy
Steven Levy
17:04 24 Dec 21
Got a free consultation and the attorney was very helpful. Highly recommended.
Ken K
Ken K
11:54 11 Oct 21
It's ok if you already know you'll win otherwise you're just suing yourself trying to communicate with them. I guess it's the same everywhere now days. Not like the old days when you were not a victim on both ends 😆read more
Jarom Reynolds
Jarom Reynolds
17:45 21 Feb 20
Very highly recommended.
chisum bobby
chisum bobby
03:35 09 Dec 19
Very friends nd helpful
Ben Cook
Ben Cook
17:05 18 Oct 19
Andrew Rahtz is the most knowledgeable and professional attorney I’ve ever met. He handled my case with care and helped me navigate the complications of my case. With him, I was able to get near 100% custody, legal decision making and child support. I cannot recommend the the legal team at Platt and Westby highly enough. Thank you Andy!read more
Dani Buskohl Cook
Dani Buskohl Cook
16:57 18 Oct 19
Thank you Andy Rahtz (and rest of the P&W team) for taking such great care of us! I highly recommend this firm, especially Andy. He helped me with both personal and business cases. He is knowledgeable and helpful and I couldn't have accomplished what I did without him.read more
Elizabeth Krebs
Elizabeth Krebs
17:32 24 Sep 19
Great bunch of lawyers
Courtney Laabs
Courtney Laabs
07:27 28 Aug 19
Elizabeth Westby has been my ally in a long running family law issue. She has been accessible, responsive, kind and supportive. I’m incredibly thankful I found her.read more
Melissa Malzahn
Melissa Malzahn
04:35 01 Aug 19
Great Attorney's
M Beyoch
M Beyoch
15:59 06 Jul 19
Very professional and helpful!
Ramsey Bergeron
Ramsey Bergeron
10:37 08 Aug 18
I was referred to Andy Rahtz by a mutual friend to review a situation that I was told by other firms would be fruitless. Right from the start, Andy gave me incredibly helpful advice. He explained things in a way that was easy to understand and gave me hope. Extremely knowledgeable in all the different facets of law surrounding my business case, he answered any questions I had quickly, courteously, and (just as important 😉) accurately. I always felt he always had my best interest in mind and made it a priority to keep me in the loop with the progress being made on my case. I highly recommend Andy and the team at Platt & Westby! Thank you for helping me get justice!read more
Paulo Soares
Paulo Soares
01:38 11 Jul 18
Mr. Westby really knows his stuff, and gave me some excellent advice. I will be back to move forward on my situation.
Kenneth Crayton
Kenneth Crayton
07:30 22 May 18
RahtzHe gave me his undivided attention and seemed to genuinely care. In my experience, it has been very tedious and daunting to begin a conversation with an attorney, especially one at a law firm with other partners, etc. That is, usually law firms won't lend an ear, it seems, unless you pay $100-300 initial consulting fee, which is basically a $15 overview of your case and whether they think it's worthwhile$$$.However, not only was I surprised to see Attorney Rhatz offer a no-cost consultation, but he also kept it "real." He advised me with information that even seemed to work against his assumed interest in profit (i.e., he didn't try to exploit me for money), such as by providing me with self-help research suggestions, and even helped me put together an outline for my case.He didn't want me to lose more money winning with him (he didn't want me to spend so much money to retain him, that even if winning the case, I'd still be at a net negative dollar-loss).He gave me his undivided attention, asked questions that showed he actually paid attention, and was very resourceful with directing me towards credible sources of jurisprudence.What's more, is that he didn't throw me out after 15 minutes, but rather stayed with me until he felt I was sufficiently informed with the material and answers to questions to send me along my way.This man even read through all my notes and connected with me as a person.I also appreciated his aggressive, but civil, nature towards vanquishing the countering party. He is strategic, he is prepared to preempt the countering party's legal arguments by first calling them out himself, and sparks reassurance that he is sedulously and astutely on the case.Obviously, I would recommend attorney R Andrew Rahtz for the aforementioned reasons, despite only meeting with him one time on an preliminary consultation.read more
Melissa Keiper
Melissa Keiper
00:40 22 Feb 18
I wrote in to a law message board asking about a step in my case and Mr. Peter Westby replied with some sound advice. I emailed him to thank him for his advice and shared with him I was not being represented. He offered to meet with me to go over my case and possibly about representing me. In our meeting he allowed me to give him all the details of my case and he spent a good amount of time offering advise and insight to the law pertaining to my situation. Mr. Westby was very patient and allowed me to ask multiple questions and was thorough in his answers. Because I live 2 hours away and in a different county (Tucson), and because my case will most likely go to trial and the cost of travel for him to represent me I am unable to retain Mr. Westby as my attorney. However, if this were to be taking place in Phoenix I would hire him in a heartbeat. I appreciate his willingness to talk with me and spend his time assuring me about the steps i'll need to take in my case. He was very prompt in his reply to my question and then for scheduling a phone conference to go over a case he prob knew he wouldn't be able to take given the distance.read more
Lance Wallace
Lance Wallace
16:44 04 Jan 18
I've worked with Pete Westby on a few matters over the years and I do recommend him and his firm. It is nice to talk and work directly with a principal of the firm who has both integrity and tons of experience.read more
David Hughes
David Hughes
17:08 08 Nov 17
Mr. Westby was great and very knowledgeable and the staff was friendly and very responsive and kept me informed every step of the way... I would and will definitely recommend Platt & Westby P.C. to friends and family.read more
John Rukavena
John Rukavena
23:25 12 Oct 17
Meet with Peter today and was very impressed. I had a large tile job that was done improperly and was not sure if a lawsuit made economic sense. Peter was straightforward and told me that if the contractor did not have sufficent assets, a lawsuit would be risky because a favorable court decision might not result in a payout. I now know what I need to do thanks to Peter.read more
Jordan P
Jordan P
19:07 04 Sep 17
We went in for our free consultation regarding our legal concerns and we were very happy with our experience and outcome of our situation. Mr. Rahtz was professional, informative, and helpful. I would recommend him for anyone seeking legal counselling. Thank you to Mr. Rahtz and the rest of the team at Platt & Westby.read more
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