Pair of Fairhaven homes vanish at hands of Pulte wrecking crew Itâs not something you see every day in a new neighborhood: demolition crews taking down homes that are less than a few years old. With months of complaints from some property owners about cracked foundations, cracked tile and walls separating, Pulte Homes said it had hired an independent engineer to examine some of Fairhavenâs troublesome houses back in July. Two months later, in a letter to the community that came with the wrecking ball, the company said, computerized testing âfound foundation issues at sufficient depthâ at some locations.
Pair of Fairhaven homes vanish at hands of Pulte wrecking crew SCHERTZ -- Itâs not something you see every day in a new neighborhood: demolition crews taking down homes that are less than a few years old.
With months of complaints from some property owners about cracked foundations, cracked tile and walls separating, Pulte Homes said it had hired an independent engineer to examine some of Fairhavenâs troublesome houses back in July.
Two months later, in a letter to the community that came with the wrecking ball, the company said, computerized testing âfound foundation issues at sufficient depthâ at some locations.
Problems were so deep in the soil, Pulte said it decided to start over from scratch on at least two homes.
âWhatâs happening today shouldâve happened a long time ago,â said Janet Ahmad, with the Homeowners for Better Building group.
Critics call it an admission of guilt--that the builder chose land that was unsuitable for homes, and thatâs why problems plague the subdivision.
Ahmad added, âYou have seven houses in a row and thereâs only one that we donât see cracks in. Thatâs shameful.â
For now, Pulte said it is putting up the displaced families in temporary housing.
Next door neighbors whoâve had repeat warranty work are left unsettled, wondering, what is under their homes.
Dan Hollestelle watched as the crane began taking apart his neighborâs house. In his own home, Hollestelle said Pulte has fixed foundation cracks with epoxy resins.
He said, âPulte has always said it isnât going to buy any houses back. But really this is the alternate fix which is a lot better fix than gluing it together.â
Pulte spokesperson Valerie Dolenga said, âWe have home visits next month with several homeowners who claim to have issues, but who are for the first time letting us inspect their homes after many months of Pulte asking. Until we fully inspect these homes, we don't know what the repair protocol will be.â
The demolished homes will be rebuilt and the families moved back in by December, said Pulte.