Transfer of risk and liability are common occurrences in the field of construction. National builders often employ a single licensed general contractor to oversee the totality of its construction projects throughout the state of Florida. While this use of a “qualifier” technically complies with Florida law, it leaves unlicensed superintendents with the lion share of day-to-day responsibility for the quality of a project’s overall construction. In order to shift the responsibility of quality construction away from the builder, subcontract agreements are often drafted in such a manner that requires every subcontractor to agree to comply with all applicable plans, specifications, building codes, ASTM and industry standards. Additionally, to ensure risk transfer is accomplished, builders mandate, through its subcontract agreements, the placement of the builder as an additional insured on the subcontractors commercial general liability (“CGL”) policy.
Residents who begin to experience damage to their property as a result of construction defects often file suit against the builder directly. The builder in turn initiates suit against its subcontractors to effectively transfer its potential liability exposure. While builders often assert a multitude of claims against each subcontractor, it is almost guaranteed that a breach of contract claim will be one of the claims asserted. Two of the more common breach of contract allegations proclaim that pursuant to the contract, the subcontractor was obligated but failed: 1) to construct the project in accordance with the plans and specifications, applicable building codes, and industry standards, and 2) to name the builder as an additional insured on the subcontractors CGL policy.
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