558.002 Definitions. - Florida Statutes

558.002 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

   (1) “Action” means any civil action or arbitration proceeding for damages or indemnity asserting a claim for damage to or loss of real or personal property caused by an alleged construction defect, but does not include any administrative action or any civil action or arbitration proceeding asserting a claim for alleged personal injuries arising out of an alleged construction defect.

   (2) “Association” has the same meaning as in s. 718.103(2), s. 719.103(2), s. 720.301(9), or s. 723.075.

   (3) “Claimant” means a property owner, including a subsequent purchaser or association, who asserts a claim for damages against a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or design professional concerning a construction defect or a subsequent owner who asserts a claim for indemnification for such damages. The term does not include a contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or design professional.

   (4) “Completion of a building or improvement” means issuance of a certificate of occupancy for the entire building or improvement, or the equivalent authorization to occupy or use the improvement, issued by the governmental body having jurisdiction and, in jurisdictions where no certificate of occupancy or the equivalent authorization is issued, means substantial completion of construction, finishing, and equipping of the building or improvement according to the plans and specifications.

   (5) “Construction defect” means a deficiency in, or a deficiency arising out of, the design, specifications, surveying, planning, supervision, observation of construction, or construction, repair, alteration, or remodeling of real property resulting from:

   (a) Defective material, products, or components used in the construction or remodeling;

   (b) A violation of the applicable codes in effect at the time of construction or remodeling which gives rise to a cause of action pursuant to s. 553.84;

   (c) A failure of the design of real property to meet the applicable professional standards of care at the time of governmental approval; or

   (d) A failure to construct or remodel real property in accordance with accepted trade standards for good and workmanlike construction at the time of construction.

   (6) “Contractor” means any person, as defined in s. 1.01, that is legally engaged in the business of designing, developing, constructing, manufacturing, repairing, or remodeling real property.

   (7) “Design professional” means a person, as defined in s. 1.01, licensed in this state as an architect, interior designer, landscape architect, engineer, or surveyor.

   (8) “Real property” or “property” means land that is improved and the improvements on such land, including fixtures, manufactured housing, or mobile homes and excluding public transportation projects.

   (9) “Service” means delivery by certified mail with a United States Postal Service record of evidence of delivery or attempted delivery to the last known address of the addressee, by hand delivery, or by delivery by any courier with written evidence of delivery.

   (10) “Subcontractor” means a person, as defined in s. 1.01, who is a contractor who performs labor and supplies material on behalf of another contractor in the construction or remodeling of real property.

   (11) “Supplier” means a person, as defined in s. 1.01, who provides only materials, equipment, or other supplies for the construction or remodeling of real property.

History. s. 2, ch. 2003-49; s. 2, ch. 2004-342; s. 31, ch. 2004-345; s. 27, ch. 2004-353; s. 109, ch. 2005-2; s. 2, ch. 2006-281; s. 1, ch. 2009-203.