LF logo
by learnformula
search
Log in
search
Courses/Construction & Trades/Construction Management and Supervision

Preventing and Addressing Construction Defects and Failures

Equip yourself with proactive strategies and essential insights to minimize construction defects and manage failures, safeguarding projects from costly delays and disputes.

Created byHalfMoon Educationworkspace_premium
5.0
(20 reviews)
BeginnerUpdated Nov 5, 2025
Preventing and Addressing Construction Defects and Failures

What You'll Learn

check_circleDistinguish between construction defects and failures.
check_circleIdentify common construction defect and failure types.
check_circleImplement practices to prevent construction defects.
check_circleResolve disputes arising from construction defects and failures.
check_circleUnderstand legal obligations and ethical duties.
check_circleAllocate and manage risks through contract provisions.

About This Course

This course, "Preventing and Addressing Construction Defects and Failures," provides essential insights for construction professionals, owners, and legal teams navigating the complex landscape of facility design, construction, and post-construction issues. Delving into the critical distinctions between construction defects and failures, the program equips participants with the knowledge to identify, analyze, and mitigate risks throughout a project's lifecycle. Successful completion will enhance your ability to make informed decisions, minimize financial exposure, and ensure project integrity.

Key learning outcomes include:

  • Understanding the definitions and implications of construction defects versus failures, along with their various classifications (design, material, workmanship, pre-existing, maintenance, and communication-related).
  • Gaining proficiency in qualitative and quantitative procedures for analyzing defects and failures across diverse structural types, including steel, concrete, masonry, and wood-frame constructions.
  • Exploring common defects and failures through detailed case histories covering bridges, buildings, parking garages, and residential deterioration, highlighting root causes like poor drainage, design flaws, material failures, and inadequate workmanship.
  • Developing strategies for effective risk allocation within contracts, meticulously reviewing insurance policies—especially regarding earth movement exclusions, and understanding primary/non-contributory clauses.
  • Mastering dispute prevention and resolution techniques, including diligent documentation, adherence to notice provisions, and strategic use of mediation and arbitration to navigate claims effectively.
  • Recognizing and addressing ethical obligations in design and construction, emphasizing the importance of professional competence, public health/safety, and responsible disclosure to prevent future defects and ensure long-term structural integrity.

Your Instructors

HalfMoon Education
HalfMoon Education

Online Courses for Engineers

menu_book128 courses
star796 reviews

HalfMoon Education is a nonprofit continuing education provider offering live webinars and on-demand courses for engineers, architects, landscape architects, land surveyors, attorneys, paralegals, accountants and others. Since 1996, we’ve helped thousands of professionals nationwide stay current with industry standards and codes, earn CE hours, and advance their expertise through practical, expert-led learning experiences. Learn more about us at: www.halfmoonseminars.org

Collins Ofori-Amanfo
Collins Ofori-Amanfo

Owner and Board Certified Diplomate Forensic Engineer, Principal Engineer

Mr. Ofori-Amanfo’s broad-based experience includes investigation of collapsed structures, investigation of construction defects and damage, investigation of condensation in building envelopes, evaluation of roof and wall leakage, field water spray testing of windows, and assessment of wind and hail damage. His work also involves giving expert testimony and assisting attorneys in resolving disputes over construction and materials-related problems. Prior to establishing Collins Forensics LLC, Mr. Ofori-Amanfo previously worked for many years at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE), the Illinois Department of Transportation, and Twin City Testing Corporation. He received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Science and Technology in Ghana and his M.S. degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Mr. Ofori-Amanfo is a registered professional engineer in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri

Christopher Ferlito
Christopher Ferlito

Senior Attorney at Clark Hill in Detroit, MI

Mr. Ferlito represents a broad range of clients including business entities, construction companies, insurance companies, individuals, owners, developers, general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. He regularly represents clients on numerous issues including contract claims, non-payment issues, defective work, negligence claims, violations of the Construction Lien Act, delay claims, insurance issues, lease disputes, real property matters and collection matters.

Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith

Member of Clark Hill in Lansing, MI

Mr. Smith is a full-service construction attorney handling a large portfolio of suppliers, subcontractors, developers, engineers and general contractors in a variety of construction and commercial litigation matters. A seasoned attorney, He handles matters involving construction liens, bonding and surety claims, contracts, bankruptcy, creditors’ rights, labor, real estate, and design and construction defect litigation. Mr. Smith is experienced in business, bankruptcy, construction, creditors’ rights, real estate, and civil litigation.

Vincent Pallaci
Vincent Pallaci

Managing Member of Kushnick Pallaci PLLC in Bohemia, NY

Mr. Pallaci is the firm’s managing member and focuses his practice on complex construction, business and insurance litigation. He represents general contractors, developers, subcontractors, owners, construction managers, architects and engineers in a wide variety of disputes including defective construction, excavation and property damage litigation, delay, scope of work disputes, mechanic’s lien foreclosure and defense, defense of OSHA violations, ECB violations, construction license agreements, labor law claims and employment claims. Mr. Pallaci has successfully represented clients in arbitration and mediation as well as in state and federal litigation. His clients have ranged from small locally owned businesses to nationally and internationally known members of the Fortune 1000 and S&P 500. Mr. Pallaci is a Fellow in the Construction Lawyers Society of America, holds the highest possible “AV Preeminent” rating from Martindale Hubble, is recognized as a “Top Construction Attorney” by AVVO and has been recognized as a “rising star” by Super Lawyers magazine every year since 2012. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Pallaci is a former chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee and has lectured and written more than 100 articles on construction law topics, including strategies for mitigating and avoiding loss and effective payment recovery options.

Rebecca Bowman
Rebecca Bowman

Attorney at Law Office of Rebecca Bowman, Principal, in Pennsylvania

Ms. Bowman is a sole proprietor, practicing in dispute resolution, estate planning, civil engineering, real estate, legal services, strategic development, and training. She is experienced in dispute resolution, estate planning and administration, engineering design and forensic analysis, construction/project management, real estate, small business start-up, employment law, and nonprofit support. She is a registered professional engineer and a certified arbitrator and mediator. Mrs. Bowman writes a column for the PE Reporter, “Risky Business,” and she lectures for the Community College of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania State University, the Washington County Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers and others. She earned her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of North Dakota, her M.B.A. degree from Oklahoma University, and her J.D. degree from Duquesne University. She just completed her Certificate in Sustainability Policy from Penn State and has recently joined the National Society of Professional Engineers as their Senior Director of Ethics and Professional Practice.

Credit Information

Do these courses count toward my professional development requirements?

This portal is provided as a training and development resource for City of Markham employees. Every course is delivered by a qualified subject matter expert or learning organization, is quantifiable in hours, and is verifiable — you receive a documented certificate of completion for every course you finish, stored on LearnFormula indefinitely.

If you hold a professional designation (for example in engineering, accounting, human resources, or law), courses may be counted as professionally relevant, verifiable learning activities toward your continuing professional development. Individual practitioners are responsible for confirming that an activity meets the requirements of their professional body. For questions about the City of Markham's training and development policies, please speak with your people leader or Human Resources.

What Students Are Saying

5.0
Student's Choice
20 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.