While you can never entirely rule out the chance that a customer finds fault with a piece of construction work you did, you can certainly reduce the chance you end up in legal problems over it.
Taking a few precautionary measures when first dealing with the customer can save you a lot of problems later.
1. Don’t be afraid to say no
Don’t be tempted to take on projects you do not have the experience to handle. Doing so could increase the chance you make an error which ends up costing you more in the long run.
Even if you have the skills and experience for a job, sometimes it pays to turn a customer down. If they seem problematic from the outset, then walking away and letting another firm deal with them may be wise.
You should also tell your customers when their idea won’t work. Don’t just try to make it work, even though you know it is unrealistic or unsafe, otherwise you may have to pay to fix it.
2. Check continually
You cannot trust others to do everything right all of the time. You need to check they are doing so. Continual monitoring allows you to spot issues and resolve them before they become a problem that causes a dispute.
3. Document everything
Contracts allow you to draw clear boundaries regarding timing and responsibility. You should also make written records of all the checks you carry out and store them for years to come, as you can never be sure when someone will threaten to take you to court.
If they do, seeking legal help to decide how best to respond is wise.