When you build a new home, you may not think that professional home inspection is needed, but…read morethat's exactly what you should do if Ed builds your house. We had several issues during construction that should have set off red flags, but didn't. I naively assumed, based on his reputation, that he values quality and would ensure a quality product. We trusted him and paid him well to do just that.
The biggest problem we've had (so far; I now worry about what else was overlooked) is that most of our windows have rotted and had to be replaced. The windows were ordered with raw pine frames (aluminum clad exterior face, but the sides, top, and bottom, were unfinished) that were supposed to be painted on site. Of the windows replaced, none of the top or bottom edges were painted, so the raw wood sat on a flat aluminum sill. Every time it rains, water remains on the sill in contact with the window frame, so they began deteriorating from the day they were installed. A responsible builder checks carefully the work done by every sub-contractors and makes sure the work is done correctly. Unfortunately, this wasn't easy to notice and I didn't discover it until way beyond the 1 year warranty. Windows, when properly installed, are designed to last 50 years or longer. Ed took no responsibility for his mistake or the cost I incurred to replace the windows. A quality builder stands behind his work, rather than hide behind a warranty.
Ed offers a 1-year warranty, but unless you have detailed knowledge of what to look for and the time to do it, the only things you likely will notice during the warranty period are superficial, paint, drywall, and trim. The serious defects will go unnoticed until much later when they are a much bigger problem.
Some other issues we had further illustrate how product quality (and us as clients) were not a priority:
- I discovered a portion of the roof at the peak was never shingled or otherwise protected. The roof framing was exposed to the elements. As a client, would you expect to have to climb the roof to make sure the structure was water tight?
- A closet door was ordered with with the hinges on the wrong side (RH swing vs. LH swing). The door was installed without even asking us if that was acceptable.
- A storm door for a screened porch had the same problem with the door hardware installed backward (so it locks from the outside).
- Early in the project, I had given Ed a photo of the stone fireplace hearth that we wanted. On two other occasions, he asked for the same photo (presumably because he either lost or discarded the previous ones). But when it was built, it looked nothing like the photo - it was obvious that nothing had been communicated to the masons and Ed was perfectly willing to let it pass, until we complained.
- A section of stamped concrete was done in the wrong color and pattern. It was not corrected.
- A full tube of construction adhesive was left in the driveway. I drove over it and had adhesive covering the tire, wheel well, and fender of my car. When I complained, Ed just brushed it off. He did not offer to do anything to fix the problem.
