Hey everyone! I'm dealing with a frustrating situation regarding the patio doors in my newly purchased home, which is just 2 years old. After heavy rains, I've noticed significant leaking from the large patio doors. Three different experts have checked it out and all agree: the bottom sill is wrongly installed, sloping towards the house instead of away from it. I've got reports from a handyman, a manufacturer's rep from WinDor confirming the poor installation, and the subcontractor who actually installed the doors acknowledging that they've only been doing temporary fixes instead of a proper repair. While the builder hasn't explicitly told me they won't cover the costs, I suspect they might not help since they haven't returned my calls lately. Since I'm not the original owner, the house is technically out of warranty. However, all three professionals suggested I should push the builder to take responsibility because the installation was done incorrectly. Given that the builder promotes himself as a high-end custom home builder, I'd really appreciate some advice. Do you think I have a legitimate case to ask the builder to fix this? And what steps should I take if he refuses to help? Thanks for reading!
3 Answers
Honestly, it sounds like you've got a reasonable argument to make against the builder here. While the warranty might be iffy since you've purchased the house as the second owner, it's crucial to focus on the fact that the installation was botched according to multiple professionals. I'd suggest starting with a polite but firm conversation with the builder and presenting all the documentation you've gathered. They may not have a legal obligation, but their reputation is on the line, especially since they market as a high-end builder. Good luck!
I feel your pain. I have seen many homes, including high-end builds, where issues stem from poor oversight during construction. Builders might cut corners, then scramble to fix problems later. As for reputations, they can be surprisingly fragile. If you can gather enough evidence alongside the recommendations from the inspectors, it may be worth pushing back on the builder. Don't give up just yet—they might surprise you!
The situation comes down to the warranty terms between the builder and the original owner, but typically, new builds come with a standard one-year warranty. If you bought the house as-is, it might be tougher for you to hold the builder accountable unless you can prove negligence. But since all three inspectors agree on the same issue, it could help your case. Expect to negotiate, and prepare for them to push back. If necessary, getting an attorney involved might be the next step!
I definitely get that, but I'm hoping the builder doesn’t just drop the ball on this one. The last thing I want is to fork out extra cash for something that should have been done right in the first place!
That’s a good point. I didn’t realize how common these issues could be, even with expensive homes. Guess it means I need to stay on top of this!