Why?

.
Dream? I'll have to think about that one. But, the part about being fed up--you got that right! Fed up with dishonesty, recklessness, and arrogance. It's PERSONAL. Not only did Pulte and Beaufort County pull one on LOTS of people here, but they pulled one on ME too. Eliminate hurricane clips in a hurricane prone area. Dig lagoons one ft. deep when they're supposed to be 5. Cheat on stucco. Then lie about it! I've ALWAYS had a problem with those who take advantage of others, ESPECIALLY seniors--whether it's magazine subscriptions, or home improvements, or something else. Now that I am one (a senior), It's more PERSONAL.

I suspect that John Mann, PE, may have had it too (http://www.structural101.com/Valley-Trusses-Sun-City-SC.html). Pulte, Pulte's engineers, Beaufort County's Office of Building Code Enforcement, even The Island Packet. ENOUGH is ENOUGH! When you know the truth, and you're a person of integrity, there comes a point... In John's case, it may have been that John just got tired of seeing a good young inspector like Tony Kunich getting beat up in the press by people who were NOT doing the job that they were supposed to be doing. Maybe he just got tired of people spouting off about something that they don't have a CLUE about. When you know the REAL deal, it can make you crazy.

No, I don't have any interest in entering the rat race again; but, I'm NOT going to "lay down" while people take advantage of me and others. It's PERSONAL.
.
.

on-line

.

John Mann, PE, structural engineer, Belmar, NJ, has followed the roof truss connection problem at Sun City Hilton Head, SC since the story first broke in 2007 in The Island Packet. His report, analyzing design inadequacies of nail and wood screw connections is on-line at http://www.structural101.com/

click on the "valley truss report" hot link.

***************************************************


a note about legal and ethical considerations:

Licensing laws in all 50 states require that individuals practicing engineering be licensed by the state. Obtaining a license requires demonstrating the necessary qualifications (e.g., an engineering degree) and experience, and passing exams (engineer in training at the end of college and engineering practice after 4 years' experience under a licensed engineer). Licenses must be renewed annually or semiannually. Besides a renewal fee, most states require continuing education.

It is technically illegal to provide engineering services, including rendering a professional engineering opinion, without a valid, active engineering license to practice in that state. This notwithstanding, I am:
* a retired civil engineer with a degree in civil engineering and 40+ years experience practicing civil engineering
* Before I retired, I held active engineering licenses in SC, GA, NC, VA, MD, DC, DE and PA
* a HOMEOWNER living in a house that I bought from Pulte/Del Webb at Sun City Hilton Head, SC

When a barber retires after 40 years' cutting hair, just because he doesn't have an active state license to cut hair, doesn't mean that he can no longer cut hair. When an engineer with an engineering degree retires, after 40 years' practice in engineering, it doesn't mean that he's no longer an engineer; it simply means that he can't practice engineering (e.g., provide engineering services, including professional opinions, for a fee) without an active engineering license.

As a retired engineer with an engineering degree, and a past career of 40+ years practicing engineering, and AS A HOMEOWNER, I have had, and will continue to have, MUCH to say about the shoddy construction at SCHH.


.
.

thanks

.
Thank you, John Mann, PE, for your report, "Evaluation of Valley Truss Connection Design for Wind Uplift Resistance", Sun City - Hilton Head, Bluffton, SC, August 17, 2010, John F. Mann, PE,
1212 Main Street, Belmar NJ 07719.

With your superior qualifications in this subject area, your 32 years' experience, and your in-depth review and analysis of design of valley truss connections in houses at SCHH, your authority as an expert in these matters is unparalleled.

Your conclusion that valley truss roof connections at SCHH are woefully under-designed should be a "wake-up" call for SCHH homeowners, Beaufort County, SC officials, ALL public officials, and the public, in general, particularly those homeowners living near the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. ALL of us look forward to your report appearing on www.structural101.com soon.

Once again, on behalf of all residents of Sun City Hilton Head and homeowners all along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, I thank you for your learned, comprehensive, and critically-important work on this subject.

Sincerely,
Ray Koenig
PE, Retired
Bluffton, SC
.
.

John F. Mann, PE, Structural Engineer, Belmar, NJ

Pulte stock

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

Stock analysts say that "despite being the largest homebuilder in the U.S. with operations in more than 50 markets, Pulte Group suffers from high cyclicality in the industry. The company also faces intense competition from the resale of existing or foreclosed homes, as well as available rental housing. Furthermore, the sub-prime mortgage crisis continues to adversely affect its sales and pricing in the homebuilding business."

Stock analysts have it wrong. The reason that Pulte stock has fallen from $45/share to less than $10/share in the last 5 years is because of its poor product. Google "Pulte shoddy" and see for yourself.

.

Pulte "green" technology

another roof leak

.
Subject: RE: water leak from bathroom light & ceiling
Date:8/9/2010 9:17:31 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: HILHeadWarrantySvc@Pulte.com
Reply To:
To: Rkoenigsc@aol.com

Dear Ms. Koenig,

The Pulte Home Protection Plan (Warranty) provides for a five(5) year warranty against water intrusion, such as roof leaks. The original close of escrow of your home was 10/15/2004, making your home well over 5 years old, and therefore no longer under warranty for this issue. You can contact any reputable roofer or handyman you wish at this point.

Sorry we could not do more for you on this issue.

Sincerely,

Sam Smith
Warranty Agent
Coastal Carolina Division


To Pulte, the “masterbuilder”:

YEARS AS A HOMEOWNER: 40
NUMBER OF HOUSES OWNED: 3
NUMBER OF ROOF LEAKS: 2 (BOTH WITHIN THE PAST 5+ YEARS)

A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE QUALITY OF A PRODUCT IS: DOES THE BUILDER STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT?

.
Subject: water leak from bathroom light & ceiling
Date: 8/7/2010 11:18:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
From: Rkoenigsc@aol.com
Reply To:
To: hiltonheadservice@delwebb.com

This morning we found water on the floor and a wet ceiling surrounding our light fixture in the bathroom.

Our address is 58 Redtail Drive. Our phone #'s are: **************************.

Thanks,
Jenny Koenig
.
.