Post by aprilsails on Nov 14, 2018 17:41:24 GMT -5
Oh boy. Our contractor called this afternoon. They poured the foundation yesterday for our new build and they mirrored the foundation pour, so our whole house is flipped.
DH is furious. We picked this lot specifically since he wanted the garage on the right and this was the last lot oriented in that direction with a South facing backyard. This means our screened in porch will now only get sunlight in the early morning (and be fully shaded in afternoon and evening) and now our dining room which is two walls of huge windows will get full Southwest exposure, which we didn’t want.
We’ve placed a call to our lawyer but she’s never had this occur and wanted to do some research. DH is willing to accept the mistake of we’re compensated in some way, so we’ll see what the contractor brings to the table.
Oh, hell no. I’m so sorry and am furious on your behalf.
Make them fix it and pay for any expense the mistake has you incur- extra payments to other housing, etc.
No way would I be able to let so many important aspects of the design slide. The garage, the sunroom, the dining room, especially since you designed based on light which is super important for places like cold Canada.
I’m saying that as someone who lives in a place where it currently gets dark by 4
Oh, hell no. I’m so sorry and am furious on your behalf.
Make them fix it and pay for any expense the mistake has you incur- extra payments to other housing, etc.
No way would I be able to let so many important aspects of the design slide. The garage, the sunroom, the dining room, especially since you designed based on light which is super important for places like cold Canada.
I’m saying that as someone who lives in a place where it currently gets dark by 4
yep. not your problem. It's his. He needs to fix it and pay.
What does your contract say? This impacts everything: floor plan, lighting, window treatments, materials (they react differently to sunlight), and function. They need to find a way to fix it.
Plus the shaded backyard and the inability to place solar panels on the house?
Nope. This isn’t small annoyance. It’s a huge deal that you will hate more and more if you try to live with it flipped.
They need to find a way to fix it.
We would only have these issues if we asked him to rebuild on a fresh lot. So basically, rebuilding on a fresh lot isn’t an option.
DH is drafting an email to anchor our price. We’ll see what happens. I feel bad since his site supervisor had a heart attack two months ago. Which is why I should never negotiate anything ever. We’re hoping to come away with 20k minimum to leave it as is. That would cover the cost of good shades and an infrared heater for the back deck and also let us install the solar system right away.
Post by clairebear on Nov 14, 2018 19:58:42 GMT -5
What the heck?! That sucks. I wouldn't accept that mistake for any amount of money. You picked that lot and plan for a reason. Can they not tear it out and repour? I'm in Florida so don't really deal with cold weather...
What the heck?! That sucks. I wouldn't accept that mistake for any amount of money. You picked that lot and plan for a reason. Can they not tear it out and repour? I'm in Florida so don't really deal with cold weather...
We’re already in a heavy frost situation here. If we asked them to rip it out and redo it in the Spring, we would be looking at a Fall closing date. Which would then mean we would lose our locked in interest rate as well. Considering mortgage rates in Canada are rising quarterly, that might cost us up to 1% on our rate.
I’m sorry I don’t know what I would do. It’s a huge inconvenience to wait for them to fix it but you are inconvenienced either way (see also my hardwood thread on a MUCH smaller scale). I feel like there is really no satisfactory answer here and it’s infuriating.
What is the market like for finding another lot you like somewhere nearby? I’d really, really be tempted to walk away. There’s no way $20K would be enough to satisfy me for a mistake that can never, ever be fixed. If you’re looking for this to be a “forever” house, I’d want it to be right.
Oh man, that seriously sucks. If it were me, there would be only two options, either walk away or they fix it. That is a huge mistake and one that the builder needs to take full responsibility for.
Oh boy indeed. Honestly? I think they should re-pour. I've been surrounded by new builds going up since we moved into our house two years ago, and the foundations actually get poured in a relatively short timeframe, like it seems to me it's usually only a matter of a few days from laying the board framing out to actually pouring. It will be a huge headache for them, but I really don't think this is an "o.k." mistake. I can't imagine what I'd accept as repayment if this isn't an option, but I don't think $20K even comes close, honestly.
Oof, with all of those factors, I don't know that there would be an amount of money that would make it up to me. I mean the whole point of a customizable new build is that it's what you want.
It sounds like you really thought through your new build (like...these are things I never would have thought of) and I wouldn't settle for it the way it is. It will annoy you forever. I'd make them repour it. Tell them to figure it out quickly.
ETA: Although, money talks and I don't know what % of the purchase price $20k is I guess if it's significant I'd be ok with it.
I would not settle, get the to fix it. You will be annoyed forever if it’s not. They can fix it, it will be pricey, and they will drag their feet but hold them to it.
Post by kittycatlove on Nov 15, 2018 12:57:52 GMT -5
Oh boy that stinks. I would make them redo it. It's their mistake, I can't believe no one noticed it was flipped. I imagine this is your dream house, I would not settle.
Post by aprilsails on Nov 15, 2018 19:28:23 GMT -5
He’s offered us $3000 to make it right. The builder doesn’t see that it modifies the value of the finished house. I’m flabbergasted. This is a $725,000 build. He hasn’t budged an inch on the price of anything through our selections. We’re paying full pop for a pretty damn upgraded house. We could buy an “equivalent” house (size, beds and baths, and finish) for about $75,000 less.
I know that his homes are selling well now, but this is absurd. He has basically called our bluff that we won’t walk. He has offered to rebuild on another lot, but none of them are suitable. It would also be 3 months delivery later, which means we would lose our locked in interest rate. The bank just told us it would go up by 0.5% which would cost us a minimum of $10,000 over the life of the 5 year loan. It would also mean we would have to push back TTC further, which I am not wanting to do.
We are building currently as well and I would be livid. I don’t even understand how a mistake of this magnitude could happen. Do you own the land you’re building on or is it a package deal?
He’s offered us $3000 to make it right. The builder doesn’t see that it modifies the value of the finished house. I’m flabbergasted. This is a $725,000 build. He hasn’t budged an inch on the price of anything through our selections. We’re paying full pop for a pretty damn upgraded house. We could buy an “equivalent” house (size, beds and baths, and finish) for about $75,000 less.
I know that his homes are selling well now, but this is absurd. He has basically called our bluff that we won’t walk. He has offered to rebuild on another lot, but none of them are suitable. It would also be 3 months delivery later, which means we would lose our locked in interest rate. The bank just told us it would go up by 0.5% which would cost us a minimum of $10,000 over the life of the 5 year loan. It would also mean we would have to push back TTC further, which I am not wanting to do.
I am so fucking pissed.
If it's in your contract/approved drawings that the house be oriented the way you wanted, tell him to fix it or you walk. Then walk if he says no to fixing. This is a humongous red flag - this isn't like he installed the wrong color carpet. He literally allowed the concrete people to pour the house backwards and no one noticed. What other details is he going to miss or dismiss as unimportant, especially if he's not willing to fix this issue to your satisfaction?
I would be livid and would not accept it. $3K??? He’s out of his mind. He should be apologizing to you.
How many projects does he have going on? This would really scare me. Once this is resolved (if resolved) it means you’re going to have to be on them every step of the way. Probably on site at least once per day.
I’m sorry about the added stress. Hopefully you can find a resolution that works for you.
I think I would see this as a blessing in disguise and walk. $3K is what I might accept as reasonable if they put the wrong carpet in the bedrooms. It’s like putting an offer of $150,000 on a home with FMV of $500,000. Not even worth entertaining.
The error is huge, the compensation is laughable, and the odds are not in your favor that things will all go really well from here on out and you’ll love the finished product. On top of that, this situation really tarnishes your relationship with the builder...on both sides. You’re angry for very obvious reasons. He thinks you’re ridiculous and digging for savings because of something he feels is no big deal.
I’m really sorry. I know this really messes up your well-thought plans. You may need to consider doing things in a different order or on a different timeline, but it’ll all work out.
Post by mrsukyankee on Nov 16, 2018 2:05:11 GMT -5
As he didn't get the first part right AND he didn't immediately offer to re-pour and start again, I'd walk. There is no telling what other mistakes he'd make and you'd have to be on top of his work every single day. Not worth it.