How long can a contractor’s completed work typically be legally inspected?

The correct answer is that a contractor’s completed work typically can be legally inspected for up to 10 years due to the statute of limitations for construction defects. This time frame is important as it provides a period during which property owners can report and seek remedies for defects that may arise in the construction work done by the contractor. This 10-year limit allows sufficient time for issues that may not be immediately visible or apparent at the time of completion to be discovered and addressed.

This timeframe is often associated with warranty statutes and common industry practices, where construction defects may only be actionable within this period. Under such statutes, after 10 years, the contractor is typically no longer liable for defects that may occur as the property ages. This knowledge is essential for both contractors and property owners to understand their rights and obligations regarding construction quality and legal recourse.

While other durations such as 5, 7, or 15 years may apply in different legal contexts or specific cases, the standard and most commonly applicable duration for general contractor work is indeed 10 years.