Nelson Law Secures $1.1 Million Settlement After Design-Build Failures Leave Colorado Springs Home Uninhabitable

$1.1 Million Settlement for Broadmoor Home with Catastrophic Design and Construction Defects

We secured a $1.1 million settlement for homeowners who purchased what should have been their dream home in Colorado Springs' prestigious Broadmoor neighborhood but instead received a $1.3 million nightmare. The design-build architect created a post-modern home built on stilts with no insulation underneath, making it unbearably hot in summer and freezing in winter.

This settlement allowed our clients to repair the extensive defects and remain in their home.

The Dream Turned Nightmare

Our clients hired a design-build architect for a turnkey $1.3 million custom home in one of Colorado's most desirable neighborhoods. They expected a seamlessly designed and constructed residence that would serve as their forever home.

Instead, they received a fundamentally flawed property with catastrophic defects:

• Improperly designed post-modern home built on stilts with exposed, uninsulated underside
• Extreme temperature fluctuations creating unbearably hot summers and freezing winters
• Improper insulation throughout the structure
• Window defects compromising energy efficiency and weather protection
• Framing problems affecting structural integrity
• Failing retaining walls threatening property stability
• Excavation errors creating drainage and foundation issues
• Roof leaks allowing water intrusion

The architect-builder's design created a home that was virtually uninhabitable despite its premium price tag. The exposed, uninsulated underside meant the home couldn't maintain comfortable temperatures regardless of how hard the HVAC system worked.

Navigating Colorado's Construction Defect Process

We took a methodical, aggressive approach to maximize our clients' recovery.

We hired multiple construction experts to inspect and document every defect throughout the property. These experts prepared comprehensive reports detailing each design failure and construction deficiency, transforming our clients' lived experience into quantified, documented proof.

We carefully navigated the requirements of the Colorado Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CDARA), C.R.S. § 13-20-803 et seq. CDARA requires specific pre-litigation notice procedures that must be followed precisely to preserve homeowner rights.

After following all statutory requirements and completing the mandatory notice process, we filed suit and aggressively pursued maximum recovery for our clients.

The Outcome: $1.1 Million Settlement

The Numbers:

We secured a $1.1 million settlement on a $1.3 million home, representing 85% of the home's total value. The settlement provided enough funding to remedy all defects and allow our clients to stay in their home.

The Real Victory:

Beyond the dollar amount, this settlement gave our clients back their lives. They no longer face uninhabitable temperature extremes that made their home miserable year-round. They now have the resources to repair the structural failures, waterproofing defects, and insulation problems. Most importantly, they can remain in the Broadmoor neighborhood they love without starting over.

What This Case Demonstrates

Design-Build Relationships Create Unique Liability:

When the architect and builder are the same entity, there's no checks-and-balances system. Design failures become construction failures, and homeowners have no protection from fundamental flaws that should have been caught before construction even began.

Expert Documentation Is Critical:

Comprehensive expert reports transformed our clients' lived experience of temperature extremes and visible defects into documented, quantified construction failures. This documentation provided the foundation for a settlement that fully addressed the scope of the problems.

Colorado Homeowners Have Rights:

CDARA provides a clear pathway for homeowners to recover when builders and architects fail to deliver properly constructed homes. With experienced legal representation, homeowners can hold negligent professionals accountable.

This case represents just one of 1,000+ construction defect cases Nelson Law Firm has successfully resolved, recovering over $500 million for Colorado homeowners and HOAs.

"We spent $1.3 million on what we thought would be our forever home in our dream neighborhood. Instead, we got a house we could barely live in. The temperature swings were unbearable. We were embarrassed to have guests over because the home was either freezing or sweltering. Finding Nelson Law Firm changed everything. They understood exactly what we were facing, brought in the experts we needed, and fought until we had the resources to fix our home. We're so grateful we can finally stay in the neighborhood we love."

This case demonstrates why thorough expert analysis is essential in complex construction defect cases. The design-build relationship meant our clients had no protection from fundamental design failures that created an uninhabitable home. By documenting every defect comprehensively and aggressively pursuing accountability, we secured a settlement that gives these homeowners their lives back. This result sends a clear message: Colorado design-build professionals must be held to the highest standards when homeowners trust them with million-dollar investments.

If you're facing construction defects in your Colorado home, contact Nelson Law Firm for a consultation. We've spent decades fighting for homeowners' rights and recovering the compensation they deserve.