I recently moved into a new build home that's still under warranty, and I'm having serious issues with my front door. At first, there was a lot of cold air leaking in, but the contractors fixed that. Now, the door doesn't open smoothly at all and requires some tricks to get it open, like pressing it flush when turning the knob. It's so bad that guests struggle to get inside without help, and I have to slam it just to make sure it closes! Contractors have come multiple times, but it's a constant battle between having a door that opens easily or dealing with cold drafts. I'm really frustrated because when I visit friends or family, their doors work perfectly fine. What can I do?
3 Answers
It sounds like your contractors might not be taking this seriously. I'd suggest staying on their case to make sure they can’t ignore you. Check their contract obligations and think about posting about your experience online—but be cautious if you're considering legal action later. Alternatively, if you're up for it, hiring your own carpenter could be another option. The issue could stem from a variety of things, like misalignment or a warped door slab that might need replacing.
Have you tried marking up the door with some chalk or crayon? This can help identify where it’s rubbing or catching, which could give you some clues about the alignment issues.
Your door might have been installed incorrectly, which could mean it needs to be taken out and properly redone. Since the house is still under warranty, I’d highly recommend getting a licensed home inspector to check on the overall condition of your house—it might reveal other issues you weren't aware of before the warranty expires.
That sounds like a solid plan! I had a similar issue where the inspector found several problems I never noticed, all covered under warranty!