Crooked, incompetent, or both?

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Pulte Homes substituted two nails for hurricane clips in roof truss connections for houses that they built at Sun City Hilton Head, SC between 2004 and 2007. Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement approved this substitution. Calculations show that the two-nail connection is woefully inadequate for this hurricane-prone area, where, according to the SC building code, houses must be capable of withstanding 130 mph winds. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement approved houses for occupancy with known, but uncorrected, violations of the SC building code. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

In 2007 Gary Kubic, Beaufort County Executive, ordered more than 2,700 houses built between 2004 and 2007 re-inspected. 668 needed repairs. MANY connections had NO nails, one nail, short nails, nails that missed their target, nails in split wood, etc. The report for my house (see below) reads: “Need engineer letter for conventional framing.” The inspectors told my wife that “we will be contacted…” It’s been 3 years: no letter; no contact. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

Gary Kubic promised a full report of the roof truss problems. There has been no report. Beaufort County won’t answer if the re-inspections were for the garage roof only. Beaufort County won’t answer who is responsible for approving and inspecting timber retaining walls and timber bridges. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

In 2009 private home inspectors reported finding deficient roof truss connections in new houses built by Pulte Homes and approved by the Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement. Crooked, incompetent, or both?

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"stuck-home syndrome"

from http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/09/08/1363696/report-takes-issue-with-roof-truss.html#ixzz0zhFeMJ8s

 jersey72

(2) As discussed briefly in the report.........based on my experience with structural defects in several developments..........many owners do not want to know about defects that could result in damage only in the event of some future occurrence such as a hurricane. This position typicaly results in owner support for the builder, no matter what.........which I have termed the "stuck-home syndrome" (that may not be readily understandable unless you are over a certain age). More importantly, such owners also prefer that none of their neighboring owners should know about defects either. The usual claim is that discussion of defects....in any house........ will detract from their property value. Some even contend that it is best to let homeowners insurance pay for any damage that might occur. The extent to which such claims may have merit is for another discussion. However, this is a real problem to be considered whenever design and construction defects are discussed for an entire development.

(3) Attempting to use the legal system to obtain compensation is difficult at best.......and only useful for very major, extensive defects (even if that). Trying to explain design and construction defects to jurors.......within the realm of attorneys and judges.......is literally an exercise of "Lost In Translation".

The Island Packet has undoubtedly run into serious negative feedback from the County and builder.......as well as real estate firms........and homeowners that are customers of the paper. Even though the paper initiated and ran with the valley truss story for 3 years (and deserves credit for hanging in there)........they have apparently made the "strategic" decision to back off. Though I can understand......with the paper being a relatively small business..........their hesitancy to carry on in the face of resistance from those with power and influence..........they might consider that this story is certainly not isolated to Sun City or South Carolina. This story is part of a problem that extends throughout the nation. It is somewhat muted now duriing the housing industry downturn. However, it will surely return in full force when housing construction starts up again.

John F Mann, PE

Ray Koenig in reply to jersey72

"This position typically results in owner support for the builder, no matter what.........which I have termed the 'stuck-home syndrome' (that may not be readily understandable unless you are over a certain age). More importantly, such owners also prefer that none of their neighboring owners should know about defects either. The usual claim is that discussion of defects....in any house........ will detract from their property value."

"Support for the builder, no matter what..." You got that right! The "stuck-home syndrome" is alive and well! As you say, it's age related. As for wanting "none of their neighboring owners to know about the defects either", that too goes with age and reduced cognitive powers. Folks here need to wake up and smell the coffee.

“The Island Packet has undoubtedly run into serious negative feedback from the County and builder.......as well as real estate firms...” Beaufort County Office of Building Code Enforcement, Pulte Homes, and real estate firms (because they are aware of the problems, and aren’t “up front” with their customers) are responsible for this mess. It’s we homeowners who should be supplying the “serious negative feedback” to them. But, that’s not happening with a retirement community that has “stuck-home syndrome” and reduced cognitive powers.

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EXPERT

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http://t.co/u6LBuJ2
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facts

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FACT: Pulte Homes controls an existing 10+ year old community with 5,000+ homes and 10,000+ residents. The 7-person community association board of directors, with 4 Pulte employees, has final say over EVERYTHING in the community.

FACT: Pulte Homes cut corners on roofs here. They eliminated hurricane clips at roof truss connections. Thousands of roofs do not meet the SC building code.

FACT: Pulte Homes cut corners on numerous storm drainage lagoons. Tops were too low and bottoms were too high. Residents are responsible for the operation and upkeep of lagoons (common property).

FACT: Through binding arbitration Pulte has been found responsible for defective stucco here and was required to pay the owner full damages plus court costs. Hundreds of other stucco cases are pending.

FACT: Numerous other defects have been discovered: a collapsed retaining wall, leaking roofs, cracked slabs, sinking houses, etc.

FACT: Pulte uses its absolute power to spread propaganda and squelch criticism through community association emails (TYSKs), Sunsations (the community's slick magazine), and SCHH TV.

FACT: Pulte controls, but residents pay the bills (through community assessments).

FACT: SCHH residents don't care.

AMAZING facts aren't they? (ESPECIALLY the LAST one!)
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liar

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http://www.yumasun.com/articles/pulte-63024-home-company.html

"In a prepared statement, John Chadwick, the southwest area president of Pulte Group, said the firm “respects the concerns of the Arizona Attorney General and commends the Office for its ongoing efforts to protect consumers throughout the home-buying process.'' He said the company always has “operated in good faith'' with both its customers and the state."

a BOLDFACED lie. Pulte tells customers that they'll get financing, and then keeps their deposits when loans don't go through. How is that "acting in good faith", Pulte?
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