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Please let us know what has happened to you, and let us know if you would like to help us make buying new houses safer.
Tell us your story.
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Rod Vega
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posted 13 July 2005 11:08 CET
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George Watson
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posted 13 July 2005 08:45 CET
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Dorothy Shannon
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posted 12 July 2005 09:37 CET
hello-i've been living in my ''Lemon HOUSE'' built by ARMADILLO homes for 15 months. after the first day -i've been having complaints and treated as if ''it's your fault for not having grass in the back yard"" I've talked with the OWNER/CEO ROBERTO GUTIERREZ AND THE SAME STORY WAS TOLD-SO HE HAD GRASS PUT IN THE BACK AND NOW WAITING FOR 90 DAYS TO DECIDE TO ''BANDAID'' ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT HE SEE NOT WHAT I SAY NOR WHAT THE INPECTION COMPANY THAT I HIRED TO INSPECT THIS ''LEMON'' PRIOR TO ONE YEAR. MR.GUTIERREZ STATED THAT HE WOULD GET AN ''INDEPENDENT'' INSPECTOR TO COME IN AND INSPECT THIS ''LEMON OF A HOUSE'' AFTER 90 DAYS. EVEN THE A/C ADAPTER WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND A COPY OF MY INSPECTION WAS GIVEN TO THE COMPANY TO NO AVAIL. ON 7/11/05 I DECIDED TO PUT A SIGN IN MY FRONT YARD''LEMON HOME-FOUNDATION PROBLEMS-CANNOT BE BANDAID'' AND THAT EVENING 3 DIFFERENT HOME OWNERS IN THE ''MONTE VIEJO SUBDIVISION HAS COME BY MY LEMON HOUSE AND COMPLAINED BUT HAD LESS COMPLAINTS THAN MINE. I WANT THE WORLD TO KNOW HOW ARMADILLO HOMES HAVE BUILT THESE BAD CONSTRUCTED HOMES AND WE ARE SUPPOSE TO BE HAPPY AND STUPID--WELL, I'M NEITHER HAPPY NOR STUPID. I THINK OF THE CONSTRUCTION OF A REAL ARMADILLO-HARD BACK AND EVERY THING ELSE SOFT-WELL, THAT'S JUST LIKE THE HOUSES-HARD SHELL BUT FALLING ALL AROUKD. |
Wilson2207
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posted 11 July 2005 18:29 CET
We got ripped-off, but you won't...
We (we, meaning my family) got ripped-off. But don't worry it won't happen to you.
At one time my attorney told me, "They (meaning Sanford/Beazer Homes)may have insurance to cover your warranty claim". This was in the context and my understanding that my attorney had spoken with a Sanford/Beazer Homes, Beazer/Sanford Homes representative.
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America supports a winner. America supports competition. America supports truth and justice. America supports fair-dealing. America frowns on winning by dubious means, dishonesty, arrogance, unfairness, and the taking advantage of the less fortunate, less capable, and less well equipped of its citizens. This is my understanding.
Let me share a story with you, that was shared with me, by a new house owner:
Beazer Homes had not yet acquired Sanford Homes. A Sanford/Beazer Homes, Beazer/Sanford Homes warranty manager told a Sanford Homes' new house owner that it was not unusual for windows to leak during a rainstorm (this is in a new house). The new house owner suspected that the window(s) had been installed incorrectly. Eventually, it was determined that the windows had been installed incorrectly, and the problem was corrected. This result was not an easy task for the new house owner to achieve.
This new house owner also had to seek legal representation to address other issues regarding his new house and related warranty matters. He sought the advice of a prestigious, construction defect law firm and was referred to another attorney/law firm, as the prestigious law firm had a conflict of interest, or some other such thing, and could not represent the house owner in his complaint against Sanford Homes. There eventually was a settlement. The new houseowner did not seem satisfied, but was grateful to have this ordeal with his builder Sanford Homes behind him (Beazer Homes had not yet acquired Sanford Homes). The house owner refused to pay the final invoice he received from his attorney. The house owner was also required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement as a condition of this settlement.
How do I know this you may wonder? I too had to seek legal advice regarding warranty issues with Sanford Homes. I sought advice from the same prestigious, construction defect, law firm, and I too was referred to the SAME attorney who represented the new house owner above. Again, how do I know this you may wonder? A local television station had an on-air report about new house owners having warranty complaints regarding the houses they had purchased from Sanford Homes. I forwarded a transcript of this report to my attorney. A later phone conversation to confirm that my attorney had received this report, disclosed that my attorney, "had talked with", one of the Sanford Homes' homeowners mentioned in the television report. I thought that this was an amazingly unusual coincidence. There was no disclosure to me, by my attorney, regarding his representation, or former representation, of this particular new house owner, regarding the new house owner's complaints against Sanford Homes; this must have had something to do with attorney client privilege, confidentiality, etc? Or, the attorney was not, in fact, representing this house owner at the time of this phone call, or while my attorney was representing my interests. My notes could determine this precisely. Following this phone conversation, several months went by before I felt compelled to speak with this new house owner to determine the nature of this unusual coincidence (that my attorney "had talked with this homeowner") and to regain faith that MY INTERESTS were being PROPERLY REPRESENTED by my attorney. My attorney had been VERY AGGRESSIVE in trying to convince me to allow Sanford/Beazer Homes (Beazer had acquired Sanford Homes at this time) to make 'cosmetic' repairs; 'Sanford's attorney was a good litigator', etc. Not trusting my attorney, I subsequently received an independent repair estimate which exceeded $50,000 which did not reflect the 'cosmetic' nature of this issue as espoused by my attorney and Sanford/Beazer Homes; my attorney said the firm providing the estimate had a vested interest which may make the estimate questionable. The estimate was given without any disclosure to the repair company that there was an on-going dispute with Sanford/Beazer Homes. There has been no resolution of this matter.
See kbhomesucks.com, Online Discussions, User Forum, pp. 4,5, 'Choosing An Attorney', for further insight.
Do not assume that you are dealing with honorable people. Get an independent, second opinion regarding ANYTHING of substance related to your new house; however, at this point it may be too late. YOUR interests are YOUR interests, only.
Do not let the largest purchase of your family's life become a financial and emotional nightmare. How much are you willing to risk? Financial security in your retirement? Your kids' college education?
Learn from my mistake (One would not think that the purchase of a new house for one's family could possibly be a mistake.) the mistakes of other new house buyers, and the behavior of some corporate/public new house builders.
IN MY OPINION, WHICH IS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, THERE IS NOT A LEGAL PRODUCT AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE TODAY THAT CARRIES THE DEGREE OF POTENTIAL FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL RISK FOR THE PURCHASER AS DOES THAT OF A NEW HOUSE.
Visit Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings, HADD.com, HOBB.org, Homeowners For Better Building, WESH.com, Building Houses: Building Problems, Consumer Reports' research study: Housewrecked--link available at the HADD web site, 10 Things Your House Builder Won't Tell You, www.smartmoney.com/consumer/index.cfm?story=tenthings-jan00, 10 Things Your Attorney Won't Tell You, www.smartmoney.com/consumer/index.cfm?story=tenthings-october03, How To Prevent A New House Nightmare, www.lakesidepress.com/dreams/section4.html, Shoddy Building in the Housing Boom? Business Week April 25, 2003, www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2003/nf20030425_1874_db035.htm, Exposing New Home Builders, exposingnewhomebuilders.typepad.com/newhomebuildersnewsblog/ (some builder specific web sites have been effectively eliminated), ourrylandhomes.com(use google.com for this one: our ryland homes), paltryhomes.com, jdpowers.com, kbhomesucks.com, kbhomestink.org, The Pulte Home Experience, www.trendzweb.com/pulte/., paylessbills.com/richmond_american.htm, drhortonlemonhome.com, drhortonsux.com, mybadhouse.com/pages/1/index.htm, Home sweet crooked house, money.cnn.com/2004/06/09/real_estate/buying_selling/homedefects/index.htm, bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/20040812a1.asp, Monday, June 21
New-home warranties not what they are cracked up to be bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/BuyerGuide2004/fthb-blog-archive.asp, webgripesites.com, mymccrearyhomesucks.com/, w3.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff76506.htm, Home-building report/broken system, www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050420/OPINION/504200384/1030, www.screwedcentral.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000331.html, and ANY search engine (new house construction, lawsuits, defects, complaints, etc.), to examine the 'ISOLATED','ANECDOTAL' nature of this issue, to separate 'FACT' from 'INNUENDO', and to gain insight into the business practices of the corporate/public new house building industry, and to protect your financial and emotional interests. Reading the court cases available on-line is a good idea, too.
Your due diligence is only effective BEFORE the fact.
I wish you well.
Read more: To access the following, copy and paste the quote below into a Google search.
www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/7803801.htm
"Hovnanian's letter to the homeowners claims that 'when there is a problem, we make things right,' " Spatz said. "After several years and a long legal battle, I am still waiting for that to happen."
Believe what you want. Protect your interests before the fact. Do not make the mistake that I did. Justice delayed, justice denied?
"Freedom, democracy, rule of law, these are the safeguards for coping with human nature",Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
wilson2207
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posted 10 July 2005 21:21 CET
New house shopper, be aware...
The following is in the spirit of transparency, full disclosure, free enterprise, good corporate governance, The Ownership Society, and the freedom of the new house shopper to make an informed decision:
"Beazer Homes includes a ten year Home Builder’s Limited Warranty with the purchase of every brand new Beazer home. This Home Builder's Limited Warranty provides you peace of mind, as it is administered by Professional Warranty Service Corporation and backed by Steadfast Insurance Company, a Zurich American company, and it protects your new home from "Construction Defects" during those first ten years of home ownership. The warranty covers materials and workmanship, as outlined in the Performance Quality Standards, for the first year after the date that you close."
Reassurance?
Or, a potential pig in a poke, for the most part purchased sight unseen, with no truly effective, economically reasonable, means of recourse to protect the interests of the purchaser?
Jeopardizing your family's financial future?
With the passage of The American Dream Downpayment Act, the following is of particular importance to the vulnerable and uneducated new house shopper.
I would like to thank Sanford Homes/Beazer Homes, for providing me with the opportunity to gain the experience necessary to contribute the following message.
I would like to thank Beazer Homes/Sanford Homes, for providing me with the opportunity to gain the experience necessary to contribute the following message.
I would like to thank Sanford Homes/Beazer Homes, for providing me with the opportunity to gain the experience necessary to contribute the following message.
Consider this a public service message:
This could be the most risky purchase that you will ever make, potentially 100%+. How much are you willing to risk? Your retirement? Your kids' college education?
Write to me if you want to know about my experience with, and opinion of, Sanford Homes/Beazer Homes. wilson2207@yahoo.com
Write to me if you want to know about my experience with, and opinion of, Beazer Homes/Sanford Homes. wilson2207@yahoo.com
Before you sign a contract to purchase a new house, walk through an established neighborhood where your builder has built houses within 1-3 years (5-8 years would not be a bad idea.) and ask the neighbors about any unresolved warranty issues and how warranty matters were generally handled. Do not rely on the builder's representations. Before the contract is signed, it is still YOUR money.
Try to determine the number of new house owners, in your chosen housing development, who are non-occupants, employees, related parties, or country club acqaintances of the corporate/public new house builder.
Ask your builder how many of their valued 'customers' they've required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement as a requirement for the new house buyer to receive a warranty settlement as a condition for having work done that should have been covered under any reasonable warranty by the benevolent, fair minded, our interests are your interests, new house builder?
Do not let your warm, tingly, feelings about your future new house, cloud your judgement. Don't fall in love with something that can't love you back. Until you are a satisfied homeowner, your house is nothing more than assembled building materials with a hefty mortgage, with the potential to become more of a nightmare than a dream.
Also, ask the builder's representative how many times houseowners have had to file a lawsuit against them in an attempt to get warranty issues resolved. Be willing to wait for an answer. Then verify the answer you receive independently.
Also, ask for a copy of the Limited Warranty Agreement including all Exhibits and read them. Mainly, get the warranty documents. Do this before any money changes hands. This will show you the position you will be in when problems arise.
Ensure that your new house builder pays THEIR SHARE of YOUR first year's realestate property taxes.
Ask your builder if they are aware if any of their former customers have had to commit some type of fraud in the completion of a Residential Property Disclosure Statement, or to otherwise have to pay for remediation of a house problem that was legitimately the responsibility of the new house builder, and as a result of the new house builder's overt or subtle act of ignoring a valid new house warranty claim?
Ask the builder if they have a 'Standards of Construction' document. Some builders may now call this document, Performance Quality Standards. Some builders may call this document by another name, but its contents will be the same. Obtain this and read it. Pay particular attention to the term, 'standards of the industry' (the lower the 'standard of the industry', the easier it is to meet the standard; which allows for the acceptability of shoddy construction under the protective excuse of the 'industry standard'). This will give you an indication of the quality of your new house deemed acceptable by the corporate/public new house builder. Do not assume that your new house will be of the same quality as the builder's models. Some people may view this as being similar to 'bait & switch' practices within the retail industry.
An independent, pre-closing house inspection will not protect your interests regarding leaking windows (wind-driven rain is not considered to be a 'defect' according to the NAHB 'book' of construction defects[try proving what is, and what is not, wind-driven rain when your house has leaks]), a leaky roof, a faulty foundation, settling/heaving/shifting concrete flatwork, or other long term consequences of shoddy construction and other cost cutting measures.
Ask YOUR ATTORNEY to modify/delete the arbitration clause. If the builder is not willing to do this go elsewhere, or require that monies be escrowed to protect your interests. NOTHING in the documents you sign is designed to protect YOUR interests aside from the transfer of title. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will no longer purchase mortgages when the sale contract contains an arbitration clause. This should speak volumes about the risks involved in the purchase of a new house.
ENSURE THAT YOUR ATTORNEY, IF YOU HAVE REPRESENTATION REGARDING ANY ASPECT OF YOUR NEW HOUSE, IS NOT A SHILL FOR THE NEW HOUSE BUILDER. Ask the attorney if he has represented, or is currently representing, other clients in actions against the builder? Has he ever filed a lawsuit against the builder? Has he ever participated in an arbitration with the builder? Has he ever refused an arbitration with the builder? Has he ever offered his representation to the client pro bono (no charge), if his client agreed to accept the terms of the corporate/public new house builder's settlement offer (the reason being because the attorney "liked" the client)? Has he dropped a case because his client determined that the repairs required were beyond the realm of "cosmetic" as touted and advocated by the new house builder and stated a "full schedule" as the reason for dropping the client's case? Has he ever not collected on a final invoice for legal services rendered because of his CLIENT'S REFUSAL to pay (this may be an indication of the client's satisfaction with the legal services provided or the magnanimity of the attorney)? And, what were the circumstances and results of any of these actions and proceedings? Do not assume that your attorney or the builder will behave in an honorable manner. For further insight see kbhomesucks.com, Online Discussion, User Forum, page 4/5 Choosing An Attorney.
Review your closing documents for restrictions which may prevent you from publicly expressing your pleasure or displeasure with your new house purchase. For example: yard signs, petitions, picketing, Internet posting, letters to the editor, etc.; anything which may be an attempt to confine your experience and opinion to your household.
Do not assume that you are dealing with honorable people. Get an independent, second opinion regarding ANYTHING of substance related to your new house; however, at this point it may be too late. YOUR interests are YOUR interests, only.
Do not let the largest purchase of your family's life become a financial and emotional nightmare. How much are you willing to risk? Financial security in your retirement? Your kids' college education?
Learn from my mistake (One would not think that the purchase of a new house for one's family could possibly be a mistake.) the mistakes of other new house buyers, and the behavior of some corporate/public new house builders.
IN MY OPINION, WHICH IS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, THERE IS NOT A LEGAL PRODUCT AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE TODAY THAT CARRIES THE DEGREE OF POTENTIAL FINANCIAL AND EMOTIONAL RISK FOR THE PURCHASER AS DOES THAT OF A NEW HOUSE.
Visit Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings, HADD.com, HOBB.org, Homeowners For Better Building, WESH.com, Building Houses: Building Problems, Consumer Reports' research study: Housewrecked--link available at the HADD web site, 10 Things Your House Builder Won't Tell You, www.smartmoney.com/consumer/index.cfm?story=tenthings-jan00, 10 Things Your Attorney Won't Tell You, www.smartmoney.com/consumer/index.cfm?story=tenthings-october03, How To Prevent A New House Nightmare, www.lakesidepress.com/dreams/section4.html, Shoddy Building in the Housing Boom? Business Week April 25, 2003, www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/apr2003/nf20030425_1874_db035.htm, Exposing New Home Builders, exposingnewhomebuilders.typepad.com/newhomebuildersnewsblog/ (some builder specific web sites have been effectively eliminated), ourrylandhomes.com(use google.com for this one: our ryland homes), paltryhomes.com, jdpowers.com, kbhomesucks.com, kbhomestink.org, The Pulte Home Experience, www.trendzweb.com/pulte/., paylessbills.com/richmond_american.htm, drhortonlemonhome.com, drhortonsux.com, mybadhouse.com/pages/1/index.htm, Home sweet crooked house, money.cnn.com/2004/06/09/real_estate/buying_selling/homedefects/index.htm, bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/20040812a1.asp, Monday, June 21
New-home warranties not what they are cracked up to be bankrate.com/brm/news/real-estate/BuyerGuide2004/fthb-blog-archive.asp, webgripesites.com, mymccrearyhomesucks.com/, w3.ripoffreport.com/reports/ripoff76506.htm, Home-building report/broken system, www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050420/OPINION/504200384/1030, www.screwedcentral.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000331.html, and ANY search engine (new house construction, lawsuits, defects, complaints, etc.), to examine the 'ISOLATED','ANECDOTAL' nature of this issue, to separate 'FACT' from 'INNUENDO', and to gain insight into the business practices of the corporate/public new house building industry, and to protect your financial and emotional interests. Reading the court cases available on-line is a good idea, too.
Your due diligence is only effective BEFORE the fact.
I wish you well.
Read more: To access the following, copy and paste the quote below into a Google search.
www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/7803801.htm
"Hovnanian's letter to the homeowners claims that 'when there is a problem, we make things right,' " Spatz said. "After several years and a long legal battle, I am still waiting for that to happen."
Believe what you want. Protect your interests before the fact. Do not make the mistake that I did. Justice delayed, justice denied?
"Freedom, democracy, rule of law, these are the safeguards for coping with human nature",Clifford May, president of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. |
Cindy McCain
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posted 7 July 2005 22:26 CET
My husband and I purchased a new condo 7/22/04 and cannot get the builder to come fix anything. Our floors are not level, they left what appears to be a piece of a tool in the grout in the bathroom. That is not our REAL PROBLEM now, there has been a water leak (this could have been going on for a year) from behind our refrigator (hooked up by a licensed plumber that the builder hired) in the wall and has completely destroyed our wood floor. Infront of our sofa there is a place where the floor buckled up 4 inches. The kitchen cabinet that holds the sink has some black mold growing on it. Less than a week ago our six year old daughter was diagnosed with some health problems and we are concerned that this problem has been going on for quiet some time with the water. When I contacted the builder he basically in "not-so-nice" words told me it was not his problem. We have had to move out of our condo. If anyone has any ideas on what we can do please e-mail me. Because of our living conditions it may take me a day or two to check my e-mail. We are not the only owners that has had problems with this builder. Please if anyone could advise me what to do I would really appreciate it. |
Tammy Konopko
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posted 7 July 2005 16:33 CET
Please help - our developer refuses to turn over to assocation - we all went to the mayor and no response. He raised our assocation fees and refuses to allow us to see the contracts and bills. HELP !! Many problems in each unit - develope refuses to take our calls. HELP !! BLACK MOLD in unts, buckling floors, etc. Building barely 1 year old. |
Ross and Irma
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posted 6 July 2005 21:13 CET
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Doug & Lia
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posted 6 July 2005 21:08 CET
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Steven Manni
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posted 6 July 2005 06:35 CET
Please note this complaint depicts my version of the events and is true to the best of my knowledge. I am sure Creative Homes has their own version and I highly recommend that you contact them for their side of the story.
I contracted with Creative Homes to design and build a custom home for my family in their Blueberry Knoll development in Norton Massachusetts. Shortly after moving into our new home we experienced a basement full of water. The basement floor was covered in large cracks and the water was percolating in. Creative Homes installed one sump pump and claimed that it solved my water problem. Within the first year the problem re-occurred several times. Creative Homes installed a second sump pump and the problem continued. Next, they claimed that their use of continuous footings under the lolly columns was damming the water and preventing it from reaching the sump pumps. They decided to cut pathways between the footings and for the third time claimed that they solved my problem. Please note, they never mentioned that their decision to utilize continuous footings was in direct violation of our approved blueprints and therefore was a breach to our contract.
Per Creative Homes request we provided a punch list of issues at the one year inspection. On that punch line was a line item that stated “Water in basement. How do we know the problem is resolved?” I wanted assurance from Creative Homes that I did not purchased a lifetime of basement water problems. Creative Homes assured me that they solved my problem. As this problem occurs sporadically throughout the year, I had no way to dispute this claim. I took Creative Homes’ assurance as their oral commitment that they had indeed solved my problem and if it was not solved they would do the honorable thing and stand behind their product.
The next spring and every spring thereafter, I’ve had a basement full of water. I called Creative Homes and was told by Bill Griffith that as my warranty had expired, I was on my own even though one year earlier he personally assured me that Creative Homes had solved my problem and would stand behind their product. Creative Homes felt no legal or moral responsibility to fix the problem that they created and failed to properly rectify during the warranty period. Please note, given that this problem has occurred every spring and sporadically throughout the year since we moved in, leads me to conclude that Creative Homes’ claim that recent changes in the water table is causing my problem. This has been an ongoing problem to the same degree since we moved into our Creative Home.
Recently I became aware of that fact that my contract with Creative Homes, via the approved blueprints, explicitly states that the footings are to be individual 30” x 30” by 10”, unless otherwise noted. The blueprints specified continuous footing on the walls only, not the lolly column footings. As Creative Homes took it upon themselves to use continuous footings on the lolly columns, I feel that Creative Homes breached the contract. Had I been aware of this breach 12 months ago, before the statue of limitation expired, I firmly believe that they would have been liable in a court of law.
My neighborhood was exclusively developed by Creative Homes. As they sold themselves to me as an expert builder/developer having recently developed 300 homes in the area prior to mine, I had every reason to believe that they would take every precaution to ensure that they delivered a high-quality home. I have a cranberry bog on my front lawn and a pond behind my house. One of my nearby neighbors who moved into their Creative Home several years before construction on my home began was still experiencing basement water problems until Creative Homes recently assisted them with the installation of a perimeter drain system. As Creative Homes knew about this issue and the water surrounding my home before construction on my home started, they had an obligation to offer me additional protection. For example, they offered to install a perimeter drain system in another of my neighbor’s home for a nominal fee during the construction process of their home.
I am very concerned that the water is eroding the steel lolly columns which will likely lead to a major structural failure, mold is growing which will eventually lead to health problems for my family and I’ve lost the use of 1/3 of the space in my home. I was promised a high-quality home for my family and was assured that Creative Homes solved my problem while it was under warranty. I want Creative Homes to do the honorable and morale thing and stand behind their product and their assurance (oral commitment) that they solved the problem so that my home is safe, healthy and fit for its intended use. I have several quotes from local, leading basement water-proofing companies for approximately $10,000. I want Creative Homes to pay this amount to have this problem finally rectified. |
Stacey Maziarz
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posted 5 July 2005 09:38 CET
Our home in Arizona, built by McCreary Homes of Tucson Arizona, was ridddled with defects. Water poured through walls, wrong materials were used, our ceiling in the great room sagged and started coming down, termites infested the house - and the builder sued us for his last draw! To top it off the local builders association - Southern Arizona Homebuilders Association (SAHBA) stands behind this builder in their "Certified Custom Homebuilder Program". There is no justice for the home owner in Arizona. Current laws are tilted towards the builder. Defending the lawsuit caused us to lose the home, file for bankruptcy and has almost destroyed our family. You can read about our struggle at http://www.MyMcCrearyHomeSUCKS.com/ |
Steve Connolly
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posted 27 June 2005 21:07 CET
Front Door improperly installed, (door hits the sheet rock before the jam causing damage) It is a door meant for 2X4 construction but the wall is 2X6 framing. Brand new roof improperly installed (causing the rain water run off to run behind the gutter causing water damage), and Improperly installed siding (buckling and unfinished sections of siding) and second floor deck is falling away from the house and cannot be used for fear of total failure. |
Emerick & Elke Worthington
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posted 21 June 2005 19:05 CET
We had a home built by 3Pillar Homes in the Columbus,Oh area, and it was a disaster. The builder refuses to come in and fix the problems in our home, unless we sign a wavier releasing his company from all warranties on the home. The home is not even a year old. We are the only fmaily in the neighborhood he is doing this to, as far as signing their warranties away, and refusing to fix their homes. I am not sure if it is becuase I am blk/american indian and my wife is german, and white.
Our walls are not square, front door will not close well,blows open when the wind gets above 20mph, refused to do a one year walk thru,unless I signed the papers. All we wanted was to have the house fix. My wife wanted to do this home on her own, and I stood back while in school, and they took advantage of her, we have no final inspection, no mechanical inspection, no occupancy permit, the temp expired. We had a cap on our sewer vent pipe on the roof, and were smelling things,and everyone was getting sick, then out of the blue my wife went blind in here right eye, from a BRAVO, which is a blood clot. Took evrything to get thing cut off, have't had a problem since, but my wife has lost her sight in that eye for good. No one wants to take the blame for the construction of this home. Can someone help up? |
Nell Bess
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posted 17 June 2005 20:27 CET
Just wanted to remind anyone in the Austin/San Antonio area not to use Bob Davis/Robert Davis as a builder. He is a crook big TIME! He stole over $1000,000 from us. He lives in Spicewood. He is a fruad. He is definitely not someone you want to buy your home. Anyone can contact me for more information. Just beward of him! |
Keith & Cathy Montz
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posted 17 June 2005 14:09 CET
This letter I am sending out to many Organizations so that they can be aware and inform others such as Masons, Contractors and Homeowners alike. Some Individuals I have to send e-mails separately. Some Individuals may have never seen brick like this before and many Contractors and Brick Masons who have spent their entire career in this Industry have stated this to us upon seeing our home. There are others besides us that could have this Particular Brick and have no idea where to go or who manufactured it. Perhaps, the original owners sold the home and never told them and somehow it has been lost thru various owners over time. All Companies care about selling their Product but not all care about Customer Service.
Differences of Acme Brick vs. U.S. Hanson Brick in Customer Care
It is amazing to me how these two well known competitors are so different is their Customer care when they both sell a product which is so valued in purchasing or designing a home. Many people should investigate before they make these important decisions in purchasing a Brick Product.
There are those out there who have purchased a home and have no idea what type or who manufactured the Brick on their home or who they can go to if they need assistance regarding these products.
But I can tell you from first hand experience if you have the time to wait for years regarding any type of customer service then the perfect Brick Dealer for you is “ Hanson Brick”. If you have any questions at all and want speedy customer service then the Dealer for you is “Acme Brick”. If you are unsure of the type of Brick that you may have, I’m sure you can call Acme Brick and they will try their best to assist you. But, since your home is your most prized possession remember Acme Brick is the only one in the Brick Industry with the Good Housekeeping Seal.
Back in 1993 we began building our home and moved into our Dream home in 1994. Upon moving in we began noticing the surfaces of the Brick in the construction of our home began disintegrating. It was not very noticeable until 2001 in where we started our nightmare by contacting the supplier in which we purchased our brick through. Upon contacting the supplier they immediately offered not only to supply us with a new Brick but to double the order and have it delivered the very next day free of cost. We explained to the supplier what we didn’t need was more Brick but to have this problem resolved that we needed not only brick but someone to remove and install this new brick. At this point in time the supplier went back to the Manufacturer
of the Brick. After much time went by and many attempts to call Supplier and no phone calls returned we then took it upon ourselves to call the manufacturer of the brick was Hanson Brick. Hanson Brick informed us that they were not responsible for our brick because they sold the plant in Holly Springs, Mississippi to Acme Brick so they were the ones that we should forward this compliant to because Acme Brick owned the Manufacturing Plant now. Well, we then contacted Acme Brick and told them of our problem with our Brick and we did not have to wait long for a response at all because they stated that they would have someone out within the week and perhaps sooner. We informed Acme Brick that we had purchased our brick U.S. “Driftwood” back in 1993 and Acme Brick informed us that they did not manufacture U.S. “Driftwood” and had indeed purchased the manufacturing Operation in Holly Springs from Hanson Brick in June of 2001. Acme only purchased the plant not their Brick and did not manufacture any of their products so it was Hanson Brick that we needed to deal with. Acme Brick was honest and apologized for us getting the run-around with the problem we were having regarding our Brick. From that moment we have regretted purchasing any of Hanson Brick Products as they were trying to blame another company and have they correct a problem that was not theirs to begin with.
We kept pursuing this and repeated to call the Supplier and many times were told that he could not get in contact with a Hanson Brick Representative. We finally contacted the Supplier and he then told us that a Hanson Brick Representative would come out examine our home and take pictures of the brick..
The Representative from Hanson Brick came to our home several weeks later and finally admitted after many attempts of trying to change the subject did we learn the truth only after informing him we knew about the purchase of the Holly Springs Plant. We did not want to hear about that this was a Acme Problem we just wanted answers to our questions once and for all. He then with hesitation told us that the Hanson Brick Company did in fact manufactured this particular type of brick called “Driftwood” that we had on our home and the Company quit manufacturing it and even discontinued it because of the defect regarding the surfacing and facing process and the entire line of this particular type of Brick . When he took pictures of the outside of our home regarding the Brick we invited him inside as well in order to take pictures of the Brick inside our home he then stated, “It was Not necessary.” Why it was not necessary to examine the brick inside our home, the Brick was doing the same thing? Why not step inside and take pictures of the same defect of the Brick?
We were then told to get estimates for removal and reinstallation of the brick all 5000-6000 pieces and we did as we were told by Hanson Brick because they only needed one estimate. The estimate was then over $20,000 and then at this time now Hanson Brick stated they needed another 2 estimates. We had a very difficult time finding reputable contractors to do this type of a project. It was approaching Winter season and the construction work that was needed was a major job which entailed removing and replacing brick from the outside and inside our home as well. Our family consisted of 5 members three of which were teenagers and 2 were graduating High School and preparing to go to college in the spring. Where was a family of 5 going to live? (I can just imagine the problems I would have sending Hanson Brick a bill for food for three teenage boys, one of which had earned a University football Scholarship.) Hanson Brick never stated that they were going to pay for the damage that their product caused or the inconvenience it was going to cause. Maybe they were hoping that we would sell our home and the problem would go away as maybe it had done with others.
Now, as of this year with no communication from either the supplier or Hanson Brick we again tried to contact Hanson Brick to resolve this problem and it has been through the Area Sales Representative who forwarded it on to someone else in Management so we wait again who in turn forwarded it on to the Legal Department to await for their decision and that was another wait then it was turned over to another member in Hanson Management in order for a report of the complaint to be filed which is given the Complaint Number #05184H The complaint that we made in 2001 that included the records of files with pictures of our home taken by Hanson Representatives had disappeared and Hanson Brick stated to us they have no record on file of anything. At this point our complaint # 05184H had been forwarded to Senior Quality Control Manger of all North America. Since the file had mysteriously disappeared he has informed us that he is beginning a New Investigation. We ourselves had to inform him that the Supplier of our Brick still had records of our complaint back in 2001 in his possession and the file contained e-mails with top Hanson Brick Management and the names of Individuals that he had contacted for us which some are still employed and have moved up within the Hanson Brick Organization. This file also contained the pictures of our home that were taken back in 2001 by Hanson Brick Representatives which had to be faxed only to be reviewed by this Particular
Hanson Representative a week later.
This individual has stated in e-mails that by looking at the pictures of our home in which he thinks that he needs to visit in person and from what he can tell only a few of the Defective “Driftwood” brick need to be replaced based on Pictures! Pictures I might add that were taken by us since they had nothing from 2001 which were needed to file the complaint.
At this point in time we still have not had a Representative of any type from Hanson Brick examine our home once again. Why again must we wait 10 weeks before someone comes out and physically examine the problem once again? Surely Hanson Brick has Representatives within this area that are qualified enough to make a determination as to the Brick problem? You can not remove only half of a brick wall or fireplace or chimney. I have even asked Contractors this question and they laugh and ask me who said you could do that and I truthfully say Hanson Brick says you can. I will not state in this letter what has told to me after that. How can records of complaints mysteriously get lost? Why did they not call us during the time between 2001 after they caused us so much difficulty and frustration to check and see how the brick was holding up because they knew what the problem was? I think perhaps that they think we would sell our home that we have raised 3 children in to another unsuspecting home owner and give them our problem!
This time we had the experience regarding the process of unnecessary repeated steps within Hanson Brick Customer Service, and the knowledge of the timely matter in which Hanson Brick handles Customer Care. This is the another reason we decided to notify Hanson Brick in April in hopes that this time the problem will be corrected before Winter Season approaches. To speed up the process once again we decided to obtain Quotes ourselves because Hanson Brick informed us we needed back in 2001. We were hoping that maybe we could repeated step in the procedure. We contacted over a dozen Reputable Construction Companies by e-mail or telephone which are listed in the Local Home Builders Association and just went down the list informing them of the reason we needed the estimate. During this process of obtaining quotes we have a Well-Known Commercial and Residential Construction Company come to our home and in which was stated that they use Hanson Brick but after seeing our Brick would be changing his order to Acme Brick after we explained the situation. Below is another Well-Known Commercial and Residential Construction Company who stated in the front of his estimate this statement. (I have with-held the Company name and the name of the Masonry at this time) that we contacted:
Construction
Real Estate
June 15, 2005
TO: Mr. and Mrs. Montz
FROM:
RE: Estimate for Brick Repairs at Home Located at 919 Canyon Drive, Neosho Missouri
As per your request, of Masonry, and I inspected the brickwork on the above mentioned property on June 9, 2005. We found the brick to be in an unusual condition. The Brick inside and outside is crumbling into pieces that are visible and are lying around the area. This condition appears to be everywhere there is brick, including the front entry stairs. The only explanation we have is that the brick must have come from a bad batch from the manufacturer.
Neither one of us ever encountered this problem before; however we have on many occasions used brick that was recycled from 100 year old buildings and had much less deterioration than yours. This leads us to believe that these are defective bricks and should be removed and replaced. To accomplish this, there are some other tasks that will need to be done. They are as follows:
1) Both sides of the front handrail to be removed and rebuilt
2) Carpet taken up and may be necessary to replace due to the fiber in the carpet
3) Rooms to be prepped for isolation from the rest of the house
4) Dumpsters supplied
5) Flashing of the chimney replaced
Upon completion of this work, the front yard will need to be cleaned and repaired and interior of the house cleaned and rooms of the brick areas re-painted including the ceiling. Any moisture that may have penetrated because of the brick condition may have caused some damage to the framing. This will not be determined prior to demolition. Therefore, my estimate for repairs will not include any water damage repairs. If any damage is found, repair estimates will be provided at that time.
Then the amount of the Estimate with details description and Signature attached
I guess our house could be used as a commercial for Hanson Brick Products as there is no need to worry about mowing the grass around your home once you attach their product to it as other homeowners do on the week-ends we mow Hanson Brick.
So, if you want something that will last and do not have to worry about Customer Service and the many years it takes to get something done get Acme Brick and we will make it a project since one of us, is in the process of obtaining a Real Estate License to warn every homeowner out there. I am also in the process of building a Web-Site with a Forum for individuals who have purchased or thinking of about any Hanson Brick Product. So, if others are searching on the Internet for Hanson Brick this link will also be listed among the links in their search and will be called “www.hansonbricksucks.com” and list many pictures of our home showing a Hanson Brick product. Also, searching for others who may have obtained this Particular type of Brick called “Driftwood” or any brick that has been manufactured in Holly Springs, Mississippi since it was purchased from Holly Springs Brick & Tile by U.S. Brick in July 1989 then U.S. Brick Company was bought in April 1999 by Hanson Brick and Acme Brick purchased the Manufacturing Plant in June 2001. So, for customers that purchased their brick after June 2001 they are the lucky ones they have a product with the “Good Housekeeping Seal” and the Representatives that care. But those unfortunate ones that have had Brick installed on their home between 1989 and 2001 know where to take their complaints and wait the years of Customer Service and know that when Hanson Brick states it is a Acme Brick because they now own the Manufacturing Plant which produced the customers Brick that IT IS NOT A ACME PRODUCT and did not manufacture the brick only the Manufacturing Plant!! .
So, therefore if you want something that will last it is some other company not Hanson Brick!!! Remember that Acme Brick the one that has the Good Housekeeping seal of Approval. They have representatives that care and that assist you without hesitation. I am attaching the following Pictures of Brick on my home. As I have enclosed a picture of the Brick inside my home that you must pick up before attempting to vacuum. I am lucky I have no small children because we know what problems that
could cause. U.S. Brick Hanson does not care about taking care of Customers what it cares about is the Selling and promoting of their Brick Product and not Customer Service.
Don’t be Fooled by Hanson Brick false Advertisement regarding Customer Care as they quote Below:
Innovation: You see it in Hanson Brick’s products and its people and service.
Service: Hanson Brick is known throughout the construction industry for its excellent customer service. The company is straightforward, honest and reliable in all its business relationships.
Influence: Hanson Brick leads the industry in its experience, knowledge and skills. |
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