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More than two years ago I found roof trusses here that were barely attached. I tried to warn my neighbors. The response from residents here with Pulte's shoddy construction was underwhelming. Where is their outrage?
"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke
Then I was kicked off the community’s website (http://www.oursuncityhiltonhead.net/). A homeowner, like the rest of my neighbors, who helps pay for the website, is kicked off for criticizing Pulte--not that there isn't a LOT to criticize. It's un-American; but, not a peep from the community. Where's their outrage?
"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke
Since then I’ve posted about shoddily constructed lagoons and stucco on another website (www.myschh.com/) with very little response from homeowners here. Where's their outrage?
"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke
I understand that some residents don’t have a construction background and can’t recognize shoddy construction; but, what about those who do, and can? Their silence is DEAFENING. Where's their outrage?
"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke
I REALLY don’t understand the homeowners and neighborhood and community association reps who sing Pulte’s praises. By now they must realize that Pulte has left homeowners and the community with shoddy construction problems. Individually we've had to deal with barely attached roof trusses, missing bracing, roofs that leak, cracked foundations, defective stucco, etc. Collectively, as a community, we've had to deal with poorly constructed lagoons, a collapsed retaining wall, sewage spills, etc. Who knows what other Pulte shoddy construction problems that we'll be dealing with in the future? Yet some homeowners here are selling for Pulte, singing their praises, and trying to get others to buy. Where's their outrage?
"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke
Does anybody else, who isn't afraid to speak up against Pulte's shoddy construction, "get it"? YOU are the ones paying the bills for Pulte's shoddy construction.
If you're someone who "gets it", and who isn't afraid, then post here (http://peretired.blogspot.com/ ), on http://citizensrevoltagainstpulte.blogspot.com/, or on www.myschh.com/ .
"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke
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Wednesday, December 31, 2008
thank you for sharing
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a post from a SCHH resident on www.myschh.com/
"Being fairly new here, I'm not as cynical as the rest of you. I'm sure your reply would be give it time.
I bought a resale that was built in 2005. The home inspection revealed no major defects and a few cracked tiles that I fill with grout from time to time. Looks like standard construction to me. What good is a nail in the truss if the place is under water?
I agree that issues that arise that Pulte is responsible for need to be raised, contested, and resolved and I certainly thank those that were involved in the resolution or partial resolution of the lagoons. I'm not crazy that the POA fee will keep going up but did anyone think it would go down- even with incorporation? I have some AIG stock I'd like to sell those people who answer yes to that. It appears that problems arise between the homeowners and the managing company in every plantation- Rose Hill, Old Carolina and now University Park just to name a few.
So the question here shouldn't be a dare to sing the praises of Pulte. Like it or not we have to deal with them. I just refuse to become like you. I'm in the last third of my life. I've seen enough bitter, older people to know enough that life is better with a positive attitude. That's positive, not rose colored glasses, pie in the sky optimism. Sun City is the best place I have lived and I've only lived in a few other places- that's good enough for me. Most of the people I've met here feel the same way. So, I guess I'm one of the sheeple but I'm nobody's fool.
If I hated it as much as what I read from some of you, I would eat the loss and move."
my response:
“Cynical”?
“Hate”?
“If I hated it as much as what I read from some of you, I would eat the loss and move.”
“I'm nobody's fool.”
“I've seen enough bitter, older people”
“I have some AIG stock I'd like to sell those people”?
“I just refuse to become like you”?
just who’s the one who’s cynical and hateful?
Since I assume that I’m “one of those people” who you’re referring to, I’ll respond for myself. I purchased a new home here in 2004. I don’t expect it to be perfect, but I do expect it to meet the MINIMUM requirements of the building code. I expect the roof to stay on during a 130 mph wind, as the building code requires. I expect the stucco to be mixed and applied according to the minimum (manufacturer’s) specifications, as the building code requires. I expect my roof not to leak. When it does, and FOUR valleys are shingled incorrectly, then I expect ALL FOUR to be fixed and not just the one that leaked first. As a member of this community, I expect lagoons and other infrastructure to be built to the normal standard of care. Anyone who has followed this issue knows that these weren’t. I expect retaining walls not to fall down (a rare occurrence in my experience). I don’t expect to be banned from the community website that I’m, in part, paying for without due cause—foul language, etc.
Having spent 40 years in construction as a professional engineer and land surveyor I have a perspective that many others may not have. I KNOW what’s acceptable and what’s not in construction. Shoddy construction is a NATIONAL problem. Unless we demand that something be done about it, our children and our grandchildren will be dealing with this same problem. WE DON’T “have to deal with it”. But, nothing will de done about it if we don’t speak up.
I’m happy for you that Sun City is the best place that you’ve ever lived. Have a nice day.
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a post from a SCHH resident on www.myschh.com/
"Being fairly new here, I'm not as cynical as the rest of you. I'm sure your reply would be give it time.
I bought a resale that was built in 2005. The home inspection revealed no major defects and a few cracked tiles that I fill with grout from time to time. Looks like standard construction to me. What good is a nail in the truss if the place is under water?
I agree that issues that arise that Pulte is responsible for need to be raised, contested, and resolved and I certainly thank those that were involved in the resolution or partial resolution of the lagoons. I'm not crazy that the POA fee will keep going up but did anyone think it would go down- even with incorporation? I have some AIG stock I'd like to sell those people who answer yes to that. It appears that problems arise between the homeowners and the managing company in every plantation- Rose Hill, Old Carolina and now University Park just to name a few.
So the question here shouldn't be a dare to sing the praises of Pulte. Like it or not we have to deal with them. I just refuse to become like you. I'm in the last third of my life. I've seen enough bitter, older people to know enough that life is better with a positive attitude. That's positive, not rose colored glasses, pie in the sky optimism. Sun City is the best place I have lived and I've only lived in a few other places- that's good enough for me. Most of the people I've met here feel the same way. So, I guess I'm one of the sheeple but I'm nobody's fool.
If I hated it as much as what I read from some of you, I would eat the loss and move."
my response:
“Cynical”?
“Hate”?
“If I hated it as much as what I read from some of you, I would eat the loss and move.”
“I'm nobody's fool.”
“I've seen enough bitter, older people”
“I have some AIG stock I'd like to sell those people”?
“I just refuse to become like you”?
just who’s the one who’s cynical and hateful?
Since I assume that I’m “one of those people” who you’re referring to, I’ll respond for myself. I purchased a new home here in 2004. I don’t expect it to be perfect, but I do expect it to meet the MINIMUM requirements of the building code. I expect the roof to stay on during a 130 mph wind, as the building code requires. I expect the stucco to be mixed and applied according to the minimum (manufacturer’s) specifications, as the building code requires. I expect my roof not to leak. When it does, and FOUR valleys are shingled incorrectly, then I expect ALL FOUR to be fixed and not just the one that leaked first. As a member of this community, I expect lagoons and other infrastructure to be built to the normal standard of care. Anyone who has followed this issue knows that these weren’t. I expect retaining walls not to fall down (a rare occurrence in my experience). I don’t expect to be banned from the community website that I’m, in part, paying for without due cause—foul language, etc.
Having spent 40 years in construction as a professional engineer and land surveyor I have a perspective that many others may not have. I KNOW what’s acceptable and what’s not in construction. Shoddy construction is a NATIONAL problem. Unless we demand that something be done about it, our children and our grandchildren will be dealing with this same problem. WE DON’T “have to deal with it”. But, nothing will de done about it if we don’t speak up.
I’m happy for you that Sun City is the best place that you’ve ever lived. Have a nice day.
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"Go back to where you came from"
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It’s been interesting
I’ve been told to go back to where I came from.
I’ve been told that I have no life.
I’ve been told that I’m not a good Christian.
I’ve been told that I’m unpatriotic.
I’ve been told that I talk too much.
I’ve been told that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
I’ve been told that I’m wrong.
It’s a good thing that I’m not defined by what people say about me.
I know what I’m talking about, otherwise I wouldn’t have a degree in engineering. I wouldn’t have been able to meet the qualifications, pass the exam, and get licensed in engineering and land surveying in several states. I wouldn’t have a successful record of 40 years in engineering and construction.
I served in the military. I love my country.
I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember. Part of being a Christian is knowing that you never get it completely right—only Jesus and His mother did.
I have a life--I have an AMAZING wife of 42 years, a wonderful family (that’s my grandson below), and wonderful friends.
Oh, and, you’re welcome—for warning you about your defective roof trusses, for the small part that I played in getting the traffic signal installed at the dangerous intersection just outside our gate, and for the small part that I played in drawing attention to the poorly built stormwater management ponds that you could have got stuck with paying for fixing. Pardon me for looking out for you.
And, excuse me for living.
Oh, and by the way, I’m not going back to where I came from just because you say so.
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It’s been interesting
I’ve been told to go back to where I came from.
I’ve been told that I have no life.
I’ve been told that I’m not a good Christian.
I’ve been told that I’m unpatriotic.
I’ve been told that I talk too much.
I’ve been told that I don’t know what I’m talking about.
I’ve been told that I’m wrong.
It’s a good thing that I’m not defined by what people say about me.
I know what I’m talking about, otherwise I wouldn’t have a degree in engineering. I wouldn’t have been able to meet the qualifications, pass the exam, and get licensed in engineering and land surveying in several states. I wouldn’t have a successful record of 40 years in engineering and construction.
I served in the military. I love my country.
I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember. Part of being a Christian is knowing that you never get it completely right—only Jesus and His mother did.
I have a life--I have an AMAZING wife of 42 years, a wonderful family (that’s my grandson below), and wonderful friends.
Oh, and, you’re welcome—for warning you about your defective roof trusses, for the small part that I played in getting the traffic signal installed at the dangerous intersection just outside our gate, and for the small part that I played in drawing attention to the poorly built stormwater management ponds that you could have got stuck with paying for fixing. Pardon me for looking out for you.
And, excuse me for living.
Oh, and by the way, I’m not going back to where I came from just because you say so.
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get involved, or just "smell the roses"?
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Suppose there’s a dangerous intersection near you—2 people killed in fatal accidents in just three months. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose you discovered, quite by accident, that the roofs in your community don’t meet the building code, and that there’s a danger that they could come off during a hurricane (suppose you live on the coast). Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose you discovered that the builder of your community cut corners on stormwater management ponds. If the builder gets away with it, you and your community will be left “holding the bag” for the MAJOR costs for fixing the shoddy construction. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose one of your neighbors, who lives alone and has macular degeneration, comes to you and asks you about the cracks in her stucco, and the corrosion underneath. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose that the builder of your community rules your community like a tyrant. The builder makes the rules, and changes the rules, at his whim, without regard to the thousands of people who live in your community. Suppose that the builder forces out someone who you’ve elected, in a democratic vote, to represent you. Suppose the builder fires, or forces the resignations, of several people who have volunteered to lead community committees. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Edmund Burke said: "All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke got involved, and spoke out during the American Revolution. Today we’re a free nation because of people like Edmund Burke.
Mahatma Gandhi said: “A coward is incapable of love; it is the prerogative of the brave.”
There are times to "smell the roses"; and, there are times to get involved.
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Suppose there’s a dangerous intersection near you—2 people killed in fatal accidents in just three months. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose you discovered, quite by accident, that the roofs in your community don’t meet the building code, and that there’s a danger that they could come off during a hurricane (suppose you live on the coast). Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose you discovered that the builder of your community cut corners on stormwater management ponds. If the builder gets away with it, you and your community will be left “holding the bag” for the MAJOR costs for fixing the shoddy construction. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose one of your neighbors, who lives alone and has macular degeneration, comes to you and asks you about the cracks in her stucco, and the corrosion underneath. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Suppose that the builder of your community rules your community like a tyrant. The builder makes the rules, and changes the rules, at his whim, without regard to the thousands of people who live in your community. Suppose that the builder forces out someone who you’ve elected, in a democratic vote, to represent you. Suppose the builder fires, or forces the resignations, of several people who have volunteered to lead community committees. Would you get involved, or would you just “smell the roses”?
Edmund Burke said: "All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."
Edmund Burke got involved, and spoke out during the American Revolution. Today we’re a free nation because of people like Edmund Burke.
Mahatma Gandhi said: “A coward is incapable of love; it is the prerogative of the brave.”
There are times to "smell the roses"; and, there are times to get involved.
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Master builder?
Pulte Homes claims that they're master builders. Really?!?
Surf this blog and google the net and judge for yourself. You'll find roof trusses that were barely attached, stucco that was mixed and applied improperly, roofs that leak because roofing paper was cut and nails driven in valleys, retaining walls that collapse, foundation slabs that crack, lagoons (stormwater management ponds) that are poorly built, etc.
Take the lagoons at Sun City Hilton Head, SC for example. Here's what a lagoon built by master builder Pulte looks like:
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We affectionately call this lagoon "the rice paddy". It's supposed to be five feet deep! It looks like the master builder needs a new ruler!
26 of 32 lagoons in this section of Sun City weren't built according to the approved construction plans.
Master builder? I don't think so.
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Surf this blog and google the net and judge for yourself. You'll find roof trusses that were barely attached, stucco that was mixed and applied improperly, roofs that leak because roofing paper was cut and nails driven in valleys, retaining walls that collapse, foundation slabs that crack, lagoons (stormwater management ponds) that are poorly built, etc.
Take the lagoons at Sun City Hilton Head, SC for example. Here's what a lagoon built by master builder Pulte looks like:
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We affectionately call this lagoon "the rice paddy". It's supposed to be five feet deep! It looks like the master builder needs a new ruler!
26 of 32 lagoons in this section of Sun City weren't built according to the approved construction plans.
Master builder? I don't think so.
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Who's minding the store?
- Roof trusses that are barely attached
- Missing roof bracing
- A missing roof truss
- Roofs that leak
- Cracked foundations
- Lagoons that are poorly constructed
- retaining walls that fall down
- timber bridges that are in "nobody's" jurisdiction
- Stucco that doesn’t meet minimum building code requirements (too much water; not enough cement)
Who’s minding the store? Nobody is.
In Beaufort County, South Carolina, the Office of Building Code Enforcement re-inspected more than 2,500 houses after it was discovered that they issued occupancy permits for houses where roof trusses were barely attached and were missing roof bracing, and in at least one house, even missing an entire roof truss!
When Pulte's engineer made public statements that Sun City Hilton Head's houses are "robustly constructed", but hadn't inspected said houses, South Carolina's professional engineer review board (SCDLL&R) did nothing about it.
According to a June 12, 2008 Notice of Violation of the Pollution Control Act directed by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) against Del Webb Communities Inc. (aka Pulte Homes), beginning on September 6, 2007 citizens filed compaints regarding the condition of (water quality) lagoons at Sun City Hilton Head, SC. It took more than NINE months for DHEC to issue the Notice of Violation. NINE MONTHS! And, AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF, DHEC still hasn't issued a violation order, or ordered Pulte to fix the lagoons. How long does it take to conclude that there’s a problem with lagoons that plans show should be several feet deep, but have birds walking around in the middle? Apparently, A YEAR AND A HALF isn’t long enough for the officials at SCDHEC-OCRM! Coincidentally, on the same day of the Notice, June 12, 2008, the U.S. Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency announced that four builders, including Pulte Homes, agreed to pay a civil penalties totaling $4.3 million to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2008/2008-06-12-091.asp http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees/Pulte/Pulte.html What a coincidence!
Who’s minding the (local) store? Nobody is. It’s a scary thought, isn’t it?
HOW THIS BLOGSITE WORKS
For the ROOF TRUSS CONNECTION STORY: in "Blog Archive" to the left, click on "2007" or click on an individual topic under 2007. (Ignore the dates--topics are not date dependent.)For RETAINING WALL FAILURE, ROOF LEAK, COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, AND LAGOONS: in "Blog Archive" to the left, click on on "2008" and "2009".
If you have comments, then go to http://citizensrevoltagainstpulte.blogspot.com/ . Thank you.
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"All that's necessary for the forces of evil to win in the world is for enough good men to do nothing."
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Edmund Burke
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Thursday, December 25, 2008
Dancing with the devil
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Pulte controls Sun City Hilton Head, SC. They control the Community Association with a Board of Directors that consists of a majority of Pulte employees. Pulte makes the rules, and, if a situation arises where the rules are not to Pulte’s liking, then Pulte changes the rules. Pulte unilaterally makes rules and changes rules without regard to the more than 12,000 residents living in 6,500 homes here.
Pulte controls those who serve on Board-appointed committees, like the Property and Grounds Committee. Pulte controls the committees’ agendas. When a committee “strays” into an area that may threaten Pulte, then Pulte changes the committee’s agenda, or fires them.
When I discovered that Pulte had substituted two nails for a hurricane clip in roof truss connections in this hurricane-prone area, and then didn’t put two nails in many connections (only one nail, or no nail), Pulte wouldn’t talk with me. Neither would the Community Association. Pulte makes the rules.
It’s also been discovered that there are widespread problems with stucco and lagoons (stormwater management ponds) here. Stucco wasn’t mixed and applied properly, and lagoons weren’t built according to the approved construction plans. While plants grow and birds walk around in the middle of these ponds, the P&G Committee says and does nothing as Pulte transfers ownership of the ponds to the residents. It could take millions of dollars to fix these ponds.
Then there is the retaining wall that collapsed, the roofs that leak, untreated stormwater runoff that is being discharged directly into protected wetlands, acres of dead trees, timber bridges, etc. The list goes on and on.
One would think that residents would be represented by elected Neighborhood Representatives. Not so. NRs spread Pulte propaganda to residents under the guise of “Things You Should Know” (TYSK). According to NRs and Pulte, the roof truss connections are OK, the stucco is OK, the lagoons are OK, the wetlands are OK—you name it—it’s all OK. When you question the NRs about this, they say “I’m just following orders.” Wasn’t that what was said at the Nuremburg trials?
You might ask: “Where is Beaufort County (Office of Building Code Enforcement and Office of Stormwater Management)? Where is South Carolina (Department of Health and Environmental Control and Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)?
It seems that there are many here who dance with the devil.
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Pulte controls Sun City Hilton Head, SC. They control the Community Association with a Board of Directors that consists of a majority of Pulte employees. Pulte makes the rules, and, if a situation arises where the rules are not to Pulte’s liking, then Pulte changes the rules. Pulte unilaterally makes rules and changes rules without regard to the more than 12,000 residents living in 6,500 homes here.
Pulte controls those who serve on Board-appointed committees, like the Property and Grounds Committee. Pulte controls the committees’ agendas. When a committee “strays” into an area that may threaten Pulte, then Pulte changes the committee’s agenda, or fires them.
When I discovered that Pulte had substituted two nails for a hurricane clip in roof truss connections in this hurricane-prone area, and then didn’t put two nails in many connections (only one nail, or no nail), Pulte wouldn’t talk with me. Neither would the Community Association. Pulte makes the rules.
It’s also been discovered that there are widespread problems with stucco and lagoons (stormwater management ponds) here. Stucco wasn’t mixed and applied properly, and lagoons weren’t built according to the approved construction plans. While plants grow and birds walk around in the middle of these ponds, the P&G Committee says and does nothing as Pulte transfers ownership of the ponds to the residents. It could take millions of dollars to fix these ponds.
Then there is the retaining wall that collapsed, the roofs that leak, untreated stormwater runoff that is being discharged directly into protected wetlands, acres of dead trees, timber bridges, etc. The list goes on and on.
One would think that residents would be represented by elected Neighborhood Representatives. Not so. NRs spread Pulte propaganda to residents under the guise of “Things You Should Know” (TYSK). According to NRs and Pulte, the roof truss connections are OK, the stucco is OK, the lagoons are OK, the wetlands are OK—you name it—it’s all OK. When you question the NRs about this, they say “I’m just following orders.” Wasn’t that what was said at the Nuremburg trials?
You might ask: “Where is Beaufort County (Office of Building Code Enforcement and Office of Stormwater Management)? Where is South Carolina (Department of Health and Environmental Control and Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation)?
It seems that there are many here who dance with the devil.
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Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Pulte--master of denial and deception
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the lagoon noose is tightening around Pulte's neck. After THREE YEARS of denial and deception, through the persistent efforts of a relatively small group of homeowners, Pulte is about to find that they have no choice other than to fix their shoddy lagoon construction.
Homeowners first tried to get Pulte to address the problems, then Beaufort County, SC, then DHEC (SC's environmental agency), then the Army Corps of Engineers. nothing. then they launched a "call to action" email campaign to County, State, and Federal representatives.
In the end it's photographs and as-built survey data that proved that Pulte failed to construct the lagoons properly. Pulte, along with all the other co-conspirators, have to accept what the photographs and the survey data show--that there are MAJOR construction problems with the lagoons.
However, despite "the handwriting being on the wall", Pulte continues to deny and deceive. Pulte's construction manager recently said that "aquatic vegetation can grow in 4 feet of water". The next thing that Pulte will be telling us is that the birds in these photographs have 4 ft. long legs!
Pulte treats us (ALL senior citizens) like we were all born at night--LAST night!
Sorry, Pulte, NOT this time!
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the lagoon noose is tightening around Pulte's neck. After THREE YEARS of denial and deception, through the persistent efforts of a relatively small group of homeowners, Pulte is about to find that they have no choice other than to fix their shoddy lagoon construction.
Homeowners first tried to get Pulte to address the problems, then Beaufort County, SC, then DHEC (SC's environmental agency), then the Army Corps of Engineers. nothing. then they launched a "call to action" email campaign to County, State, and Federal representatives.
In the end it's photographs and as-built survey data that proved that Pulte failed to construct the lagoons properly. Pulte, along with all the other co-conspirators, have to accept what the photographs and the survey data show--that there are MAJOR construction problems with the lagoons.
However, despite "the handwriting being on the wall", Pulte continues to deny and deceive. Pulte's construction manager recently said that "aquatic vegetation can grow in 4 feet of water". The next thing that Pulte will be telling us is that the birds in these photographs have 4 ft. long legs!
Pulte treats us (ALL senior citizens) like we were all born at night--LAST night!
Sorry, Pulte, NOT this time!
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Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Getting away with shoddy construction
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Shoddy construction is everywhere. The internet is full of examples of shoddy construction. Many who have bought homes during the last ten years have personal experience with shoddy construction.
Why do builders continue to get away with shoddy construction? Because they can, and it’s profitable for them to do so.
Inept local, state, and federal government “look the other way”, thanks to millions of dollars in political contributions from the powerful homebuilding lobby.
But, inept government, including those who represent us, is not the REAL reason that builders get away with shoddy construction. The real reason is YOU. Builders get away with shoddy construction because you let them get away with it. Victims of shoddy construction don’t speak out. Why?
* You’re apathetic. There are more important things to do. You don’t have the time. And besides, “I can’t make any difference”.
* You’re afraid. The big, bad builder with their money and lawyers will sue you.
* “It’s not cool.” My neighbors will think that I’m a kook.
* You’re dishonest. Deep down inside you know that you’d cut corners too if it meant more money in your pocket.
As long as you accept the status quo, then we’ll continue to get more of the same--more shoddy construction, more inept government, and more relegating the problem to the “back burner”.
Your children, your grandchildren, and the dishonest, reckless and corrupt builders who are responsible for shoddy construction thank you.
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Shoddy construction is everywhere. The internet is full of examples of shoddy construction. Many who have bought homes during the last ten years have personal experience with shoddy construction.
Why do builders continue to get away with shoddy construction? Because they can, and it’s profitable for them to do so.
Inept local, state, and federal government “look the other way”, thanks to millions of dollars in political contributions from the powerful homebuilding lobby.
But, inept government, including those who represent us, is not the REAL reason that builders get away with shoddy construction. The real reason is YOU. Builders get away with shoddy construction because you let them get away with it. Victims of shoddy construction don’t speak out. Why?
* You’re apathetic. There are more important things to do. You don’t have the time. And besides, “I can’t make any difference”.
* You’re afraid. The big, bad builder with their money and lawyers will sue you.
* “It’s not cool.” My neighbors will think that I’m a kook.
* You’re dishonest. Deep down inside you know that you’d cut corners too if it meant more money in your pocket.
As long as you accept the status quo, then we’ll continue to get more of the same--more shoddy construction, more inept government, and more relegating the problem to the “back burner”.
Your children, your grandchildren, and the dishonest, reckless and corrupt builders who are responsible for shoddy construction thank you.
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Saturday, December 6, 2008
high quality??
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Recently, Jon Cherry, Division President for Pulte Homes Southeast Division, said: “Pulte Homes/Del Webb takes pride in our reputation in the building industry and our track record of building high quality homes.“
Construction problems with Pulte houses are well documented on this blogsite and on many websites (e.g., http://www.hadd.com/respond.php, http://www.suncityblufftonhomedefectclaims.com/index.asp, http://camplemonadestand.com/defectssuncitySC.htm, http://www.justanotherlemon.com/CCFL/pulte.htm, http://www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/3697205/, http://www.poorlybuiltbypulte.info/, etc.).
Bill Pulte, founder and Chairman of Pulte Homes, said in an interview with public radio:
“RYSSDAL: When you go to somebody's house, whether it's for dinner or for some function or an event, what's a sign to you that it's a well-built house?
PULTE: You really can't tell because all you're seeing is the cosmetic finishes, which doesn't really make a good house. That's where a lot of people go wrong. They think that the cosmetic finishes make a good house or the better house. It starts with understanding what the soil the house is going to go on. You must understand what that soil is and secondly you must build the foundation. Third is the framing structure has to be correctly built. Then the correct mechanical system, meaning plumbing and heating; they got to be in correctly, and the wiring has got to be in correctly. The roof is the next important thing, because if you have a bad roof it's going to leak. And then the least important is the cosmetic finishes that you see but it isn't really the important stuff because I could take a good shell and do a miserable job with the finish -- people won't like it as well, or I can take a lousy shell and do a good job with the finish and people love it except when they've lived in it a few years and all of a sudden you've got a lot of problems."
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/07/28/bill_pulte/
Here’s my reply to Mr. Pulte:
Ah, well, YES, Mr. Pulte, cosmetic finishes don’t make a good house. And, YES, you must understand the soil and the foundation for the house. Or else, the foundation slab may crack, or, worse yet, the house may sink. And, YES, the framing must be built correctly, including putting in bracing and hurricane clips on roof truss connections in a hurricane-prone area. And, YES, a bad roof is going to leak. I can PERSONALLY vouch for this one! This is GREAT advice! Why doesn’t your company follow it?
And, YES, Mr. Pulte, you can take a lousy shell and do a good job with the finish and people love it except when they've lived in it a few years and all of a sudden you've got a lot of problems. And, Mr. Pulte, what would you say about the quality of such a house?
Here's what a County tax examiner had to say about the quality of a Pulte house:
from http://www.justanotherlemon.com/CCFL/pulte.htm
Decision of hearing officer:
"The County valued the subject property at $138,000 for tax year 2008, taking into account $156,030 in repairs to the structure of the home. The home was built in June 2006 for $294,130. Using the cost approach, the County valued the home at $266,730. The home is a conventional ranch home with 2,244 square feet of total living area located in "Model 32 Upscale" on 10,890 square feet of land. The land was valued at $59,090. The County's comparables were located in the subject property's subdivision.
The Taxpayer refuted the County's evaluation based on the severity of problems with the home. The Taxpayer presented repair reports from 4 engineering firms indicating the home was improperly built. Robert J. Chapman, an engineer consultant who holds a B.S. and graduate work in Industrial Technology Management for Manufacturing and Construction, testified the home has experience structural demise and needs to be torn down. He asserted, in his professional opinion, it is impossible to correct the foundation and structural problems. The Tax payer did not dispute the County's valuation of the lot. Mr. Chapman asserted the value of the subject property should take into account the cost of $20,000 to $25,000 for tear down and back fill to prevent a sink hole, but he did not have a report or cost estimate documenting these expenses. Mr. Chapman estimated the value of the subject property (including land) at $30,000.
The Hearing Officer concludes the Taxpayer's testimony and evidence showed the subject property will need a full rebuild. Further, the Hearing Officer cannot use the informal estimates for tear down and back fill. Based on the weight of the evident, the Hearing Officer concludes the value should be the cost of the land only at $59,090. "
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Anthem, Nevada
Judge releases 322 homeowners from class-action plumbing lawsuit
Sun City MacDonald Ranch duplex owners settled for $11.6 million in 2007
Richard Brian
(photo) This faulty Ipex water pipe fitting was taken from a Pulte home in Anthem. The corroded fittings can cause declining water pressure and leaks.
By Jeff Pope
Mon, Dec 15, 2008 (2:33 p.m.)
A District Court judge has agreed to release 322 owners of duplexes in Sun City MacDonald Ranch from a multi-million dollar class action lawsuit regarding faulty plumbing.
The owners had been part of a separate construction defect lawsuit that settled in 2007 in which developer Del Webb Communities Inc., and its 34 subcontractors, paid more than $11.6 million.
read more and check out the photo at http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/15/judge-releases-322-homeowners-class-action-plumbin/
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high quality? I don't think so.
.
.
Recently, Jon Cherry, Division President for Pulte Homes Southeast Division, said: “Pulte Homes/Del Webb takes pride in our reputation in the building industry and our track record of building high quality homes.“
Construction problems with Pulte houses are well documented on this blogsite and on many websites (e.g., http://www.hadd.com/respond.php, http://www.suncityblufftonhomedefectclaims.com/index.asp, http://camplemonadestand.com/defectssuncitySC.htm, http://www.justanotherlemon.com/CCFL/pulte.htm, http://www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/3697205/, http://www.poorlybuiltbypulte.info/, etc.).
Bill Pulte, founder and Chairman of Pulte Homes, said in an interview with public radio:
“RYSSDAL: When you go to somebody's house, whether it's for dinner or for some function or an event, what's a sign to you that it's a well-built house?
PULTE: You really can't tell because all you're seeing is the cosmetic finishes, which doesn't really make a good house. That's where a lot of people go wrong. They think that the cosmetic finishes make a good house or the better house. It starts with understanding what the soil the house is going to go on. You must understand what that soil is and secondly you must build the foundation. Third is the framing structure has to be correctly built. Then the correct mechanical system, meaning plumbing and heating; they got to be in correctly, and the wiring has got to be in correctly. The roof is the next important thing, because if you have a bad roof it's going to leak. And then the least important is the cosmetic finishes that you see but it isn't really the important stuff because I could take a good shell and do a miserable job with the finish -- people won't like it as well, or I can take a lousy shell and do a good job with the finish and people love it except when they've lived in it a few years and all of a sudden you've got a lot of problems."
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2006/07/28/bill_pulte/
Here’s my reply to Mr. Pulte:
Ah, well, YES, Mr. Pulte, cosmetic finishes don’t make a good house. And, YES, you must understand the soil and the foundation for the house. Or else, the foundation slab may crack, or, worse yet, the house may sink. And, YES, the framing must be built correctly, including putting in bracing and hurricane clips on roof truss connections in a hurricane-prone area. And, YES, a bad roof is going to leak. I can PERSONALLY vouch for this one! This is GREAT advice! Why doesn’t your company follow it?
And, YES, Mr. Pulte, you can take a lousy shell and do a good job with the finish and people love it except when they've lived in it a few years and all of a sudden you've got a lot of problems. And, Mr. Pulte, what would you say about the quality of such a house?
Here's what a County tax examiner had to say about the quality of a Pulte house:
from http://www.justanotherlemon.com/CCFL/pulte.htm
Decision of hearing officer:
"The County valued the subject property at $138,000 for tax year 2008, taking into account $156,030 in repairs to the structure of the home. The home was built in June 2006 for $294,130. Using the cost approach, the County valued the home at $266,730. The home is a conventional ranch home with 2,244 square feet of total living area located in "Model 32 Upscale" on 10,890 square feet of land. The land was valued at $59,090. The County's comparables were located in the subject property's subdivision.
The Taxpayer refuted the County's evaluation based on the severity of problems with the home. The Taxpayer presented repair reports from 4 engineering firms indicating the home was improperly built. Robert J. Chapman, an engineer consultant who holds a B.S. and graduate work in Industrial Technology Management for Manufacturing and Construction, testified the home has experience structural demise and needs to be torn down. He asserted, in his professional opinion, it is impossible to correct the foundation and structural problems. The Tax payer did not dispute the County's valuation of the lot. Mr. Chapman asserted the value of the subject property should take into account the cost of $20,000 to $25,000 for tear down and back fill to prevent a sink hole, but he did not have a report or cost estimate documenting these expenses. Mr. Chapman estimated the value of the subject property (including land) at $30,000.
The Hearing Officer concludes the Taxpayer's testimony and evidence showed the subject property will need a full rebuild. Further, the Hearing Officer cannot use the informal estimates for tear down and back fill. Based on the weight of the evident, the Hearing Officer concludes the value should be the cost of the land only at $59,090. "
.
.
.
.
Anthem, Nevada
Judge releases 322 homeowners from class-action plumbing lawsuit
Sun City MacDonald Ranch duplex owners settled for $11.6 million in 2007
Richard Brian
(photo) This faulty Ipex water pipe fitting was taken from a Pulte home in Anthem. The corroded fittings can cause declining water pressure and leaks.
By Jeff Pope
Mon, Dec 15, 2008 (2:33 p.m.)
A District Court judge has agreed to release 322 owners of duplexes in Sun City MacDonald Ranch from a multi-million dollar class action lawsuit regarding faulty plumbing.
The owners had been part of a separate construction defect lawsuit that settled in 2007 in which developer Del Webb Communities Inc., and its 34 subcontractors, paid more than $11.6 million.
read more and check out the photo at http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/dec/15/judge-releases-322-homeowners-class-action-plumbin/
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.
.
high quality? I don't think so.
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