What are the possible damages I can recover for a lawsuit against a home builder?

The possible damages in a lawsuit against home builder or developer are varied and depend entirely on the specific situation, the legal reason for the lawsuit, the contract that you signed, whether or not you live in a single family home or a condominium or townhouse development and even the local laws where you live.

You might be considering a lawsuit against a builder for:

• Breach of contract (did not build the house according to specifications, used different materials, did not provide contractually obligated amenities, failure to complete the home or the home not being habitable due to the way it was constructed or materials used in construction.)
• Breach of warranty (failure to correct or repair items that should have been covered by the provided warranty.)
• Misrepresentation of facts, fraud, or negligence.

It is not feasible to discuss dollar amounts of possible damages without understanding the specifics of the case, but the types of possible damages you could sue for might include reimbursement for:

• For the cost of repairing damage to your home, including the cost of future repairs or required restoration.
• Costs you might have incurred if the damage was so extensive you had to move out temporarily and live elsewhere, or the cost to move and store your belongings off site.
• Cost of hiring experts such as a structural engineer or appraiser to examine and inspect the damages or defects.
• Compensation for lost amenities, such as if your development was supposed to have a pool that was never built.

In some circumstances you might be able to receive compensation for the loss in property value if you can prove the builder's actions have a long term affect on your investment or compensation for your discomfort and aggravation. If you live a home that is toxic because of the builder's actions or misuse of materials you may be able to receive damages for medical treatment and suffering.

If you have serious issues with your home and you have not been able to get satisfaction from your builder, contact an attorney immediately. An attorney will be able to review your contract and will be familiar with local and state laws and can advise you about how to best proceed to get your home and life back in order.