New build roof trusses don’t fit … who’s accountable?
Dani1184
| Posted in General Discussion on
Homeowner here with a new build underway. My roof trusses came in and more that 75% of them are wrong. Some are too short, some too long, some are placed on imaginary walls. The truss designer took it upon himself to change the interior ceiling design in some rooms. The list goes on. But as a homeowner I put my trust in the lumber company that I hired, as well as my framer and I signed for the trusses to be delivered. Now everyone is pointing the finger at each other and no one is taking accountability. I’m just wondering if anyone has any familiarity with a situation like this and how I can get this corrected without having to buy more than half of my houses trusses out of my pocket?
Replies
Sorry for your situation.
Were the trusses built per the print or field verified?
Was the house built actually to the dimensions on the print?
Did they have the right address?
Who was the customer in the truss manufacturer's eyes?
Did the manufacturer's customer sign for receipt of trusses or did you (the homeowner) step in and sign for them?
What were the requirements when the trusses were ordered?
Who checked and approved the truss shop drawings?
Do the trusses actually match the shop drawings?
Were they installed in the proper location(s)?
Too many factors here that lead to endless finger-pointing.
Wow, that sounds incredibly frustrating, sorry you’re going through this. In situations like this, accountability can get murky, but there should be a clear paper trail. Typically, the truss design is based on architectural/structural plans, and any changes made by the truss designer should have been reviewed and signed off before fabrication. If they altered your interior layout without approval, that’s a red flag.
Your framer should also have caught obvious discrepancies before installation started. I'd recommend reviewing all your contracts and emails, especially any correspondence with the lumber company and truss designer. If they deviated from approved plans, they may be liable for the mistake. Sometimes bringing in a third-party structural engineer or inspector to document the errors can help support your case.
Also, don’t be afraid to talk to a construction attorney if this gets stonewalled—especially if replacing those trusses is coming out of your pocket.
Hang in there—hoping it gets resolved without a major financial hit.
-Jurgen
Done Rite Roofing
https://doneriteroofingandgutters.com