At Closing, Margaret Smith of Webb realty assured us we were covered
"bumper to bumper" for a year from the date of purchase. We were given
two phone numbers, a mailing address, a written warranty, and an email
address. The seller advised that email was the most expedient path to
resolve any warranty issue. The attorney said very clearly to always
send requests in the mail. After closing on 7/6/12, we contracted wood
shutters to be installed. We waited a month to move in (we had remaining
time on our lease).
On 7/7/12, we noted that there were no door stops on the interior doors
and that the tub faucet had been cut in and finished poorly. We emailed
the builder. We had a pre-closing punch list item to fix low water
pressure inside the house - this was corrected prior to closing. The
builder had sodded the lawn but failed to water it, when we hooked up
the garden hose, the spigot detached from the wall. Water pressure from
the single spigot caused a 30 ft. range sprinkler to have 12 ft.
coverage. We noted that there was only 1 water spigot and believed that 2
was standard. We submitted a request the evening of 7/7/12 to cover the
items above. Margaret Smith returned the call on 7/11 and asked me to
speak with Charlie Oglesby, the superintendent. The super was agreeable
to most everything except the second outside spigot and argued about the
door stops - "We do not do door stops". Nonetheless, they came out and
fixed the doorstops as well as reattaching the outside water spigot
within a week. On 7/14 we inspected and found that the tub faucet had
not been fixed. We contacted Margaret again. The super came back and
fixed the spigot inside. Still low water pressure. Still one outside
spigot.
On approximately 8/1, I received a call from Margaret who explained that
the builders had met and that my request for a second spigot was not
tenable. Code specified a minimum of 1 spigot. She went on to offer that
I could hire the plumber to work on the side. I indicated that I did
not hire anyone who aspired to do the minimum. After a week of light
intermittent rain (8/13-8/17), the back & side yard turned to
swampland. This was due to the fact that the yard was improperly graded.
On 8/18, I sent an email stating that the grade was improper and needed
to be fixed. I sent photos. I also indicated that I planned on hiring a
contractor to do some tractor & grading work in the back yard -
separately, but would alleviate some of the problem.
On 8/22, I meet with Joey Callahan & Charlie Oglesby to discuss the
grading issues. Charlie faded fast (went to the truck and started
talking on the cellphone). Joey (the builder) insisted that the grade in
one place was because of the installation of the utilities. I pointed
out that the grade was wrong 10-15 feet continuously along the side of
the house on the opposite side that the utilities were fed from. He
asked me what I wanted. I responded a French drain, backfill and correct
grade with clean topsoil and seed OR bring in a tractor and correct
grade. He tightened up and said "Man - I am cheap - I am going to fix
this as cheap as I can. I am going to throw some sand in the low spot
and some Bermuda grass on top - it grows great on sand." There was a
te-de-te in which he mentioned code inspectors signing off and I
discussed recent class action suits that prevailed in Vestavia Hills, AL
? adding that I would much prefer to do other things for the next few
years ? make it right. He said "well I am only going to do what I am
going to do", to which I responded "until I bring in a higher power." He
said I will take care of you - one thing I do not want is you going and
bad mouthing me to prospective buyers and your neighbors. I have not
seen nor heard from the builder since.
On the eve of 8/22 I sent an email indicating that sand and Bermuda
grass would not be allowed to be installed as a solution. I also advised
that they needed to come up with a workable solution.
On the eve of 8/23 I sent an email requesting that they correct the
difficulty in locking the front door (align doors and locks). Also
stating that "shut doors are coming open and locked doors opening with a
touch" - need to align. Additionally in the master bathroom there are
three air conditioning vents. In the master bedroom 3-8 degree F warmer
than any other room in the house, there is a single vent (for the
largest enclosed room in the house) ?need to cut in another vent. I also
indicated that they needed to make arrangement to obtain keys from me
after hours. I am not taking off of work to fix that which you did not
get right the first time. On 8/26, I sent a certified letter was sent,
citing all deficiencies on the 8/23 email and demanding "corrective
action within 5 days of receipt' and advising that we would seek redress
through the legal system upon failure to comply.
On 8/29, I received a signed return receipt form the 8/26 certified letter.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012 No response
On 9/6/12, I received a notice of a certified letter waiting at the post office.
On 9/7/12, I signed for and picked up a letter dated 09/04/12 from the builder. The letter stated in essence that they looked forward to repairing my property and that if I made public statements regarding their work, they would sue me.
I spoke to my attorney.
THEN, I made ANOTHER public statement