Construction Defect Repair for Pacific Northwest Homes
A construction defect isn’t always obvious. It’s rarely a crack in the wall or a door that won’t close. Far more often, it’s water that’s been getting behind your siding or windows since the day the home was built, doing damage you have no way to see until it’s advanced enough to become visible, or until you happen to open a wall for an unrelated project. Pacific Exteriors NW has been identifying and repairing construction defects on Oregon and Washington properties since 1994, and we approach every defect investigation, whether it’s discovered during a routine siding replacement or as a standalone concern, the way we’d want it approached if it were our own home: thoroughly, and with real documentation, not guesswork.
Why Construction Defects Are So Common Here
Most construction defects trace back to the same root cause: waterproofing details that were skipped, rushed, or installed incorrectly during original construction, often because a builder was working against a tight timeline or a tight budget. In a climate with this much sustained rain, a missed flashing detail or an unsealed penetration point doesn’t cause a problem right away. It causes a problem eventually, once enough water has worked its way behind the wall to damage sheathing, framing, or create the conditions for mold growth. By the time it’s visible, the defect has usually been active for years.
What We Look For
Construction defects show up across nearly every part of a building’s exterior envelope: stucco and EIFS siding installed without proper drainage, window and door openings without correct flashing integration, roofing details that were never sealed to specification, and waterproofing that was skipped entirely at critical transition points. We assess your property for all of these, not just the symptom that prompted the call, since defects rarely happen in isolation.
Documentation That Actually Holds Up
If your situation involves an insurance claim, a builder’s warranty dispute, or active litigation, documentation isn’t a formality, it’s often the whole case. Our forensic building envelope consulting background means we document conditions with the same rigor we’d bring to a multi-million dollar commercial investigation, applied to your home or property. We regularly work alongside attorneys and insurance adjusters, and we understand that the quality of our documentation directly affects the outcome of your case.
What to Expect From Start to Finish
- A thorough assessment, not a guess. We identify the full extent of the defect and its underlying cause before we talk about scope or repair.
- Documentation built for scrutiny. Photos, written findings, and conditions recorded in enough detail to support an insurance claim, warranty dispute, or legal proceeding if needed.
- Direct, honest communication. If we find something worse than expected once we open a wall, you’ll know immediately, with options, not after the fact.
- Coordination with your attorney or insurer. We’re used to working alongside the other professionals involved in a construction defect case, not operating in isolation from them.
What Homeowners and Their Attorneys Say
“We had no idea the extent of the damage until Jay came and walked us through all the problems. It seems silly to say they saved our lives, but they literally saved our house and our financial lives.”
— Bill Dischinger, Homeowner, Water Intrusion & Construction Defect Repair
“Our attorney recently recommended Pacific Exteriors NW. We found out our builder had taken shortcuts and did not do a good job on the necessary waterproofing details to protect our home. Thank goodness we found Jay and his team to correct our construction defects.”
— Dawn Marie DeJarnett, Homeowner, Construction Defect Repair
“As a construction insurance attorney, I often recommend them to take care of my clients. Good workmanship and quality people are hard to find.”
— Kyle Sturm, Construction Insurance Attorney
Common Questions About Construction Defect Repair
How do I know if what I’m seeing is a construction defect or just normal wear?
Normal wear tends to be gradual and cosmetic. A construction defect more often shows up as a specific, localized problem, staining near a particular window, a soft spot near a certain siding seam, or a musty smell that keeps returning in the same area, especially if it appears earlier than you’d expect for the home’s age. We assess the actual condition rather than guessing from a description.
Is there a deadline for filing a construction defect claim?
Yes, both Oregon and Washington have statutes of limitation and repose that apply to construction defect claims, and the specifics depend on your situation. We’re not attorneys and can’t advise you on your legal deadlines, but if you suspect a defect, it’s worth talking to a construction attorney sooner rather than later to understand your options and timeline.
Will my builder’s warranty cover this?
It depends on the age of your home, the terms of the original warranty, and whether the issue is even covered under that warranty’s scope. We can help you understand what we’re finding, though the warranty and legal questions are best directed to your attorney or the warranty provider directly.
Do you work with attorneys and insurance adjusters directly?
Yes, regularly. We’re used to coordinating with the other professionals involved in a construction defect case and providing documentation in the format they need.
Are you licensed in Oregon and Washington?
Yes. Oregon Contractor License #215897 and Washington Contractor License #PACIFBS831MK, both active and current, verifiable directly with either state’s licensing board.
Talk to Us About a Suspected Construction Defect
If something about your home or property doesn’t add up, a recurring leak, an unexplained stain, a musty smell that won’t go away, Pacific Exteriors NW would welcome the chance to take a real look and tell you honestly what we find. Where the issue involves mold or broader water damage, we handle that as part of the same investigation.
Phone: 360-907-1128
Email: info@pacificexteriorsnw.com
Website: pacificexteriorsnw.com
Licensed in Oregon (#215897) and Washington (#PACIFBS831MK). Serving the greater Portland and Seattle metro areas.