Sophisticated Parties May Shorten the Statute of Limitations for Construction Defect Claims
Brisbane Lodging L.P. v. Webcor Builders, Inc. (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 1249
By: Jon A. Turigliatto and David A. Napper
November 19, 2014
The recent decision by the First District Court of Appeal in Brisbane Lodging L.P. v. Webcor Builders, Inc. (2013) 216 Cal.App.4th 1249 is now final and is citable authority in California as the appellant did not petition the decision for review by the California Supreme Court. The decision is noteworthy for contractors and builders across the State as the Court has held that parties can contractually agree to limit the statutory limitations period for construction defect claims and the date on which the limitations period commences. Despite some limitations set forth below, the Court established important precedent by enforcing certain contract language in a standard AIA form general contract to shorten the statute of limitations for construction defect claims to four (4) years from the date of substantial completion of the project. A brief synopsis of the facts, court’s reasoning, and impact is set forth below.