Replies

1. 
   DanH | Oct 18, 2016 09:42pm | #1

   The bathroom wall tells me they did some pretty crappy work.  The crack above that problem door tells me there has been significant movement in the framing since it was built (though why this might be is hard to guess).  The others are a little harder to assess.  (Spalling skim coat plaster is not a real biggie, especially in a garage.)

   You're never going to get them to fix the stuff right, I suspect -- the repairs will be as crappy as the original work.

2. 
   user-2409187 | Oct 19, 2016 06:53am | #2

   Don't wait until the one-year follow-up inspection. Keep documenting defects and sending letters to the builder. Be sure to keep copies of everything! If you wait too long the builder's minimum legal obligation will have expired. I see evidence (cracks, water damage, binding doors, non-straight walls) of serious issues: 1) possible design flaws  2)possible settling of the foundation 3) a perimeter drainage system that is not functioning properly 4) lumber that was either low grade or very wet. The photos suggest more than minor touch-up issues.  Look at the blueprints. Examine load bearing details carefully. Have a structural engineer look at the prints and make an on-site visit. Very sadly,  you may need to involve your lawyer. He/she can send a letter putting the builder on notice that defects have not been remedied as promised. A bit of legal pressure may help. There is reason to suspect the reputation of the company. Finally...are others in your area experiencing moisture problems in their basements? 

3. 
   florida | Oct 20, 2016 03:01pm | #3

   I don't see any quality work anywhere. Your house has a host of problems that need serious attention as they will not resolve themselves on their own. Do your basement steps have a cover?

4. 
   DanH | Oct 20, 2016 06:26pm | #4

   Re the steps, in many areas code would REQUIRE a floor drain in the stairwell, running to the storm sewer connection.

   You may have some code violations.

5. 
   finefinish | Oct 31, 2016 11:01pm | #5

   Hey there,

         I am sorry you are having issues and hope you can get some of them resolved before having to waste everyone's time and money in court.  Not knowing anything about your house or the builder aside from what you described and showed as problems, it appears that this may be a "you get what you pay for" situation.  Admittedly I am making the assumption that this builder is of the cheaper spec variety as the windows and fixtures and finishes are what I would call "builder" grade.  That being said, there is no excuse for poor workmanship.  The window screens clearly are not the right size and should absolutely be replaced with no questions asked.  The large bow in the bathroom wall is most likely caused by one stud bowing severely.  It is not necessarily a workmanship issue.  Sometimes, this happens well after the house is completed.  It is also a fairly easy fix and I would think the builder would want that fixed before any of his potential clients see it.  The failing plaster should be fixed.  If you start loosing big peices from your ceiling that could land on you or your car, the builder will have a real lawsuit on his hands.  I think the best strategy would be to ask for a walk through with the owner of the company.  Speak with him/her, make sure he understands your issues fully, and make a plan to get them resolved.  I agree it is important to have records for all of these issues and correspondences, but I am also of the old school thinking that people should meet face to face and talk like human beings and work together.  Email battles tend to kill relationships and potential solutions for problems which may have been resolved easily in person.  I really hope you can get the builder to come out and see the issues first hand and you both can move on.  Good luck with that.