Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Pulte Homes' pissed consumer


http://www.pissedconsumer.com/reviews-by-company/pulte-homes/pulte-homes-made-a-renter-out-of-me-20130516409195.html

to those who responded "bullshit", let's review FACTS. It's a FACT that Pulte substituted nails for hurricane clips in THOUSANDS of houses at SCHH. Google it, or search The Island Packet's website. It's a FACT that there are widespread problems with stucco at SCHH. A law firm in Charleston, SC is handling individual and class action lawsuits against Pulte and its subcontractors for defective stucco. Google it. It's a FACT that there are widespread problems with cracked foundation slabs at SCHH, and other widespread problems too. Anyone who does their homework will uncover these FACTS. Finally, my blog contains more FACTS about Pulte's shoddy construction. I'd provide the link; but, pissed consumer won't show links. Google "peretired". FACTS are NOT "bullshit".



Sunday, May 26, 2013

I-5 bridge collapse, NTSB and gullibility


http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ntsb-wash-bridge-collapse-could-be-significant-nationally-quick-long-term-fixes-in-works/2013/05/25/50245ed0-c5a3-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html

This is a problem manufactured by the media (and the civil engineers’ trade union), and swallowed hook-line-and-sinker by a gullible American public. How often do you see a bridge brought down by an idiot in a tractor-trailer who stacks the load so high and so wide that he brings the bridge down? Winning the Powerball lottery is more likely. Sure, the bridge is old (58 years), and it’s got narrow shoulders and limited vertical clearance. DUH! That’s why they have “narrow bridge” and “low clearance” signs. So that idiots in tractor-trailers won’t try to carry loads across the bridge that are wider and higher than the bridge. Don’t blame the bridge; blame the stupid truck driver. 

This reminds me of the bridge where a reckless, speeding driver went off the bridge killing the driver. As a result of public uproar, concrete barriers were installed to insure that out-of-control vehicles won’t leave the bridge. A second reckless/speeding accident occurred some time later. The vehicle didn’t leave the bridge; it went into the opposing lanes where it caused a multicar accident, and several fatalities. The concrete barriers that were installed after the first fatal accident were removed after the second, multi-fatality accident. The moral of the story: don’t try to fix something (bridge) that isn’t broken; you’re liable to make the real problem (dangerous, stupid drivers) worse.



Saturday, May 25, 2013

I-5 bridge collapse in Washington state


Yes, folks, it’s a dangerous world that we live in; but, I ask you which is worse:
1) Grade school children killed because the school that they went to, in tornado alley, doesn’t have a shelter?
2) Grade school children being killed at school by a nut with assault weapons?
3) Children being killed by nuts who plant bombs at the Boston marathon?
4) Hundreds of children killed each year in the US by drunk drivers
Leave it to the media to make a BIG deal out of a truck overloaded with drilling equipment that brings down a span of a bridge built in 1955 that nearly 60 years later is “functionally obsolete”, but not “structurally deficient”. No fatalities. Three people rescued (relatively unscathed) from two vehicles in waist-deep water. How about a little perspective?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/state-patrol-i-5-bridge-over-skagit-river-collapses-in-nw-wash-vehicles-people-in-water/2013/05/23/ef618aaa-c41c-11e2-9642-a56177f1cdf7_story.html



Thursday, May 23, 2013

another view, Silver Spring Transit Center



Is the SSTC fixable? Montgomery County says that it is. So do private companies hired by Montgomery County. At first, WMATA’s deputy manager questioned whether the SSTC is fixable; but, later WMATA’s general manager backed off his deputy’s letter. Politics? Based on evaluation reports commissioned by both Montgomery County and WMATA (that are available for viewing and downloading on Montgomery County’s website), I have my doubts that the SSTC is fixable. Given that so much of what can be seen in the SSTC is defective and documented (cracked slabs, cracked beams, cracked girders, cracked columns, thin slabs, exposed reinforcement, missing reinforcement, understrength concrete, etc.), I wonder about what can’t be seen. Are all of the defects that can be seen an indication of other defects that can’t be seen (because they’re covered in concrete or are underground)? Personally, I wouldn’t “bet the farm” that the SSTC is fixable; but, then, I’m not a politician, or a businessman who doesn’t want “to bite the hand that feeds him”.



Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Legacy of the Silver Spring Transit Center?



http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/how-silver-springs-transit-center-plan-grew-into-a-fiasco/2013/05/20/7f2fb1c6-b986-11e2-aa9e-a02b765ff0ea_story.html

So, we have a project of questionable need, that started out at $26M, and was supposed to open in 2011, that is now at $120M (and counting), and is shut down because of extensive structure cracking and other assorted structural problems, and without an opening date. There will be lawsuits. In the end what will the SSTC have cost taxpayers (local, state and federal)? Was it worth it? Will we ever really know how and why the selection of FP, PB and the Balter Co. came to be? Why other qualified companies were not considered (or did not compete)? Are there other lessons to be learned? Will they stick? Time will tell.



Sunday, May 19, 2013

Silver Spring (MD) Transit Center photos




WMATA report, Silver Spring Transit Center, Montgomery Co., MD
http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/DGS/DBDC/RegionalProjectPages/SilverSpringProjects/sstc.asp

Volume 2, pg. 290, Silver Spring Transit Center evaluation report, Montgomery Co., MD
http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/dgs/sstc-structural-report.asp
Volume 2, pg. 291, Silver Spring Transit Center evaluation report, Montgomery Co., MD
Volume 2, pg. 293, Silver Spring Transit Center evaluation report, Montgomery Co., MD

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


from "conclusions", KCE report (commissioned by Montgomery County), Vol. 1, (next-to-last page):

“The in situ conditions at SSTC have been caused in varying degrees by errors and omissions of the designer, PB (Parsons Brinkerhoff), the contractor, FP (Foulger-Pratt Contracting, LLC), and its subcontractors, and the inspection and materials testing firm and Special Inspections Program Special Inspector, RBB (The Robert B. Balter Company).

Each of those contributions is noted throughout this report. Our conclusions are summarized as follows:

A. Based on our review of the information provided, the design depicted in/on the Contract Documents was not prepared in accordance with the applicable Building Code(s), the WMATA Manual of Design Criteria or Industry Standards. Based on our analysis, failure of the design to follow applicable codes and standards resulted in widespread cracking in the slabs, beams, and girders, and reductions of minimum concrete cover requirements.

B. Based on our review of the information provided, the independent inspectors, Special Inspections Program Special Inspector, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, etc. did not raise sufficient concern regarding the numerous issues that were known and/or became visible in the concrete during construction, apparently did not follow up on solutions to those issues, and did not perform their services in accordance with Industry Standard, their Contract, or the Statement of Special Inspections.

C. Based on our review of the information provided, the Contractor did not construct structural elements of the SSTC facility in accordance with the Contract Documents, ASIs, and RFI responses. The Contractor, among other things as detailed herein, placed concrete materials not in accordance with the Contract Documents.”

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

from "conclusions" to the WMATA report:
"Based upon the previous evaluation reports and our site observations, numerous construction defects are present in the structure. These defects include:
• Omission of the post-tensioning tendons in the Level 330 pour strips, which will necessitate replacement of the pour strips.
• Thin slabs in portions of Levels 330 and 350.
• Exposed and low concrete cover to post-tensioning tendons on the slab surfaces.
• Low entrained air content on the top section of the elevated concrete slabs.
• Extensive cracking on the elevated slab surfaces.
• Lack of details in the construction plans and construction procedures to accommodate normal thermal movements in the structure.
A strength evaluation of the as-designed and as-built structure by WDP indicated that the overall structural design of the structure was adequate. In isolated areas, the allowable stress limits were exceeded. The evaluation was based upon an analysis of representative sections and does not represent a complete review of the design. The primary design defect was the inability of the structure to accommodate normal thermal movements due to the significant restraint provided by the structural framing.
Despite the generally adequate structural design, the significant construction deficiencies have resulted in a structure that is unlikely to achieve the 50 year design service life specified in the WMATA design without implementation of a long-term protection program. The construction deficiencies include omission of post-tensioning tendons in the pour strips on Level 330, low cover to post-tensioning tendon ducts at several locations, low entrained air content in the top surface of the elevated slabs and extensive cracking on the slab surface as a result of both restrained shrinkage and finishing problems.
Based upon the extensive design and construction deficiencies, the SSTC will experience significantly higher costs for maintenance, future repairs and loss of use during repair periods compared to a properly designed and constructed facility. As-built, the SSTC is not expected to achieve its 50 year design service life without significant repairs to improve the durability of the structure."

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

comment (not mine) to a Washington Post article ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/council-members-call-for-ig-probe-of-silver-spring-transit-center/2013/04/30/445d8706-b1b8-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html ):

Pashaspopwrote:
4/30/2013 8:10 PM EDT

"Cronyism eventually produces results like this. 

1) Failure in selecting an engineering team that understood what they designing - a prestressed concrete structure that is neither a bridge nor a building, but must function as both. Selections influenced by poltical connections, contributions and firms that hire retired public agency grandees to win work (rather than technical competence and relevant expertise) Is a longstanding MD tradition. Competent structural design firms experienced with this type of construction believe they would stand no chance of being awarded this commission from Montgomery County. Must be 'connected' 

2) Failure in competing the construction work and selecting an appropriate construction contractor. Only 2 firms submitted 'proposals' for the construction, Foulger-Pratt and Clark. Why no others? Because the work was not bid, but proposals were 'evaluated' for what the County considered the best offer. Not in that loop...don't even bother submit. In the event, the County selected Foulger-Pratt a 'developer', but not generally recognized as a construction contractor. The actual construction work was subcontracted.

3) Failure in understanding the independent Inspection regime needed. The Balter Co. is a geotechnical (soil/rock) engineering and testing firm with experience in the subsurface work required for heavy civil engineering projects. But not inspecting & testing the superstructure of a prestressed concrete structure. 

4) Failure to address potential conflicts of interest. The designer, Parsons Brinckerhoff, was also assigned the project management role for the construction. This is highly unusual. Design errors identified during construction were addressed 'in house' without independent review. 

5) KCE's report is damning in it's overall findings. Embarrasingly so for the industry. Worth a read, it is written for a general audience.

Conclusion: It's for the GAO since Fed $ involved. MD and Mtgy Cty are conflicted."




Saturday, May 18, 2013

politics and shoddy construction: Silver Spring Transit Center



While Virginia touts public-private partnerships ( http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/why-you-won-t-own-your-road-20130516 ), just over its border, Virginia has the PERFECT example of why to BEWARE public-private partnerships: the Silver Spring (MD) Transit Center. Google "Silver Spring Transit Center" to see what I mean.


Thursday, May 16, 2013

pissed consumer


http://www.pissedconsumer.com/reviews-by-company/pulte-homes/pulte-homes-made-a-renter-out-of-me-20130516409195.html


After 42 years of owning a house, I rent now. The last house that I owned, built by Pulte Homes, was one of more than 5,000 at Sun City Hilton Head, SC. In 2005 I discovered that Pulte substituted nails for hurricane clips in roof truss connections. The building code requires that houses in this coastal area be capable of withstanding 130 mph hurricane-force winds. There are other widespread problems with these houses, including defective stucco, cracked foundation slabs and leaking roofs. Do your homework before you buy! Shoddy new home construction and ineffective government regulation are everywhere.


Wednesday, May 15, 2013

more on the Silver Sprint Transit Center


http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metro-Meets-With-Mongtgomery-County-About-Silver-Spring-Transit-Center-207435921.html


Metro commissioned an evaluation report for the SSTC that is on Montgomery County's website. The final paragraph of the report reads: "Based upon the extensive design and construction deficiencies, the SSTC will experience significantly higher costs for maintenance, future repairs and loss of use during repair periods compared to a properly designed and constructed facility. As-built, the SSTC is not expected to achieve its 50 year design service life without significant repairs to improve the durability of the structure." Who can blame Metro for wanting to walk away from the project?



Tuesday, May 14, 2013

memo to states, re: Silver Spring MD transit center



MEMO TO: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia  

FROM: Montgomery County, MD

SUBJECT: $, Silver Spring Transit Center

Your share of the cracked, structurally deficient, new (?), yet-to-be-opened Silver Spring Transit Center is $63,600,000. Please pay up.

End of memo.


NOTE: google "Silver Spring Transit Center" for the sad story of how US taxpayers are getting hosed into paying for this structurally-defective boondoggle.




Saturday, May 11, 2013

WMATA report for the Silver Spring Transit Center



The following is taken from the Executive Summary of the Silver Spring MD Transit Center evaluation report prepared for WMATA. (This report can be found and downloaded at: http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/DGS/DBDC/RegionalProjectPages/SilverSpringProjects/sstc.asp )


“The evaluation by WDP indicated that significant design and construction deficiencies have resulted in a structure that will be unable to achieve the 50 year design service life specified in the WMATA design requirements without significant repairs and a long-term maintenance program to address durability problems.

The evaluation by WDP indicated that the overall design of the SSTC was deficient due to the restrained nature of the structure and the inability of the structure to accommodate normal thermal movements. The restrained nature of the as-designed structure was a significant factor in the observed cracking at the structure.

Significant construction deficiencies were also observed in the evaluation. The construction deficiencies include omission of post-tensioning tendons in the pour strips on Level 330, thin concrete slabs, extensive cracking on the elevated slab surfaces as a result of restrained shrinkage and finishing problems, exposed and low concrete cover to post-tensioning tendon ducts at numerous locations, and low entrained air content in the top surface of the elevated slabs.

Attempts to repair the cracking in the elevated slabs have been made by the contractor. To date, the repairs have not been effective in controlling the movement of water through the slabs. Further, the extent of cracking has increased over time, through the formation of new cracks and the extension of existing cracks. The cracking in the elevated decks is undesirable as the cracks allow the ingress of water and other deleterious materials into the concrete slabs.

The life cycle costs for repair and maintenance of the SSTC structure will be significantly increased as a result of the design and construction defects.”



This slab reminds me of peanut brittle. After the first car rolls onto it, it'll be peanut brittle that you can put into a box.


Thursday, May 9, 2013

WMATA & the Silver Spring MD transit center


http://wtop.com/41/3316705/Metro-GM-hopes-to-take-control-of-troubled-transit-center


Metro had it right when it balked at taking over the SSTC. It's clear from the conclusions (Vol. 1, next-to-last page) to the SSTC structural evaluation report on Montgomery County's website that: (1) "...the design depicted in/on the Contract Documents was not prepared in accordance with the applicable Building Code(s), the WMATA Manual of Design Criteria or Industry Standards. Based on our analysis, failure of the design to follow applicable codes and standards resulted in widespread cracking in the slabs, beams, and girders, and reductions of minimum concrete cover requirements." (2) "...the independent inspectors, Special Inspections Program Special Inspector, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, etc. did not raise sufficient concern regarding the numerous issues that were known and/or became visible in the concrete during construction, apparently did not follow up on solutions to those issues, and did not perform their services in accordance with Industry Standard, their Contract, or the Statement of Special Inspections." (3) "...the Contractor did not construct structural elements of the SSTC facility in accordance with the Contract Documents, ASIs, and RFI responses. The Contractor, among other things as detailed herein, placed concrete materials not in accordance with the Contract Documents.” 

Don't do it, Metro; you had it right the first time.


wasting federal $, a.k.a. Silver Spring MD Transit Center


wasting federal funds, a.k.a. Silver Spring MD Transit Center. Conclusions from structural evaluation report, Vol. 1, (next-to-last page):

“The in situ conditions at SSTC have been caused in varying degrees by errors and omissions of the designer, PB (Parsons Brinkerhoff), the contractor, FP (Foulger-Pratt Contracting, LLC), and its subcontractors, and the inspection and materials testing firm and Special Inspections Program Special Inspector, RBB (The Robert B. Balter Company).

Each of those contributions is noted throughout this report. Our conclusions are summarized as follows:

A. Based on our review of the information provided, the design depicted in/on the Contract Documents was not prepared in accordance with the applicable Building Code(s), the WMATA Manual of Design Criteria or Industry Standards. Based on our analysis, failure of the design to follow applicable codes and standards resulted in widespread cracking in the slabs, beams, and girders, and reductions of minimum concrete cover requirements.

B. Based on our review of the information provided, the independent inspectors, Special Inspections Program Special Inspector, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, etc. did not raise sufficient concern regarding the numerous issues that were known and/or became visible in the concrete during construction, apparently did not follow up on solutions to those issues, and did not perform their services in accordance with Industry Standard, their Contract, or the Statement of Special Inspections.

C. Based on our review of the information provided, the Contractor did not construct structural elements of the SSTC facility in accordance with the Contract Documents, ASIs, and RFI responses. The Contractor, among other things as detailed herein, placed concrete materials not in accordance with the Contract Documents.”



http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/dgs/sstc-structural-report.asp




Wednesday, May 8, 2013

shoddy Silver Spring MD Transit Center


The comment to the on-line article by "Pashaspop" (not me) says it all. I don't know "Pashaspop"; but, I know of what he speaks.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/council-members-call-for-ig-probe-of-silver-spring-transit-center/2013/04/30/445d8706-b1b8-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html




Pashaspop
4/30/2013 8:10 PM EDT

"Cronyism eventually produces results like this. 

1) Failure in selecting an engineering team that understood what they designing - a prestressed concrete structure that is neither a bridge nor a building, but must function as both. Selections influenced by poltical connections, contributions and firms that hire retired public agency grandees to win work (rather than technical competence and relevant expertise) Is a longstanding MD tradition. Competent structural design firms experienced with this type of construction believe they would stand no chance of being awarded this commission from Montgomery County. Must be 'connected' 

2) Failure in competing the construction work and selecting an appropriate construction contractor. Only 2 firms submitted 'proposals' for the construction, Foulger-Pratt and Clark. Why no others? Because the work was not bid, but proposals were 'evaluated' for what the County considered the best offer. Not in that loop...don't even bother submit. In the event, the County selected Foulger-Pratt a 'developer', but not generally recognized as a construction contractor. The actual construction work was subcontracted.

3) Failure in understanding the independent Inspection regime needed. The Balter Co. is a geotechnical (soil/rock) engineering and testing firm with experience in the subsurface work required for heavy civil engineering projects. But not inspecting & testing the superstructure of a prestressed concrete structure. 

4) Failure to address potential conflicts of interest. The designer, Parsons Brinckerhoff, was also assigned the project management role for the construction. This is highly unusual. Design errors identified during construction were addressed 'in house' without independent review. 

5) KCE's report is damning in it's overall findings. Embarrasingly so for the industry. Worth a read, it is written for a general audience.

Conclusion: It's for the GAO since Fed $ involved. MD and Mtgy Cty are conflicted."



Tuesday, May 7, 2013

RIPOFF! Silver Spring MD transit center





Imagine being delivered this wreck after you pay retail for a brand new luxury car. That’s what US citizens are getting for the federal $ that they invested in the new, yet-to-be-opened, $120M Silver Spring MD transit center. The SSTC hasn’t even opened yet, and it’s full of cracks. Not only that, but slabs that are supposed to be 10 inches thick are only 8 inches thick, reinforcement is missing, and parts of the building weren’t designed to adequately carry design loads. 


I can hear it all now! The contractor, the engineer, the concrete inspection and testing firm, Montgomery County, and WMATA saying: "We can fix it! It'll look like brand new!" 

Yeah, right! 

Why should US citizens pay "top dollar" for a brand new transit center, and be delivered a patched-up, formerly-structurally-deficient, new (?) transit center with a bunch of Band-Aid fixes that will make it expensive to operate and maintain? Answer: they shouldn't.

For more, google “Silver Spring Transit Center” or read the Executive Summary of the on-line report (Volume 1) at: http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/dgs/sstc-structural-report.asp.



Sunday, May 5, 2013

government shoddy construction: Silver Spring, MD transit center



That the public should not pay for repairs to the SSTC is a no-brainer. But, there’s another problem that needs to be fixed, and it’s not about actual bricks and mortar. It’s the problem of how government manages large public works projects involving county, state and federal money. A comment (not mine) to a recent WaPo article (4/30/2013, http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/council-members-call-for-ig-probe-of-silver-spring-transit-center/2013/04/30/445d8706-b1b8-11e2-9a98-4be1688d7d84_story.html) describes the problem well. It lists “cronyism” as the problem and includes 5 subpoints: (1) “Failure in selecting an engineering team that understood what they were designing…selections influenced by political connections, contributions and firms that hire retired public agency grandees to win work (rather than technical competence and relative experience) is a longstanding MD tradition” (2) “Failure in competing the construction work…Because the work was not bid...” (3) “Failure in understanding the independent inspection regime needed” (4) “Failure to address potential conflicts of interest”. (5) “KCE’s report is damning in its overall findings.” The commenter adds: “Conclusion: It’s for the GAO since Fed $ involved. MD and Mtgy Cty are conficted.” 

A smoking gun? For sure. The question is: will anything be done about it?




http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/dgs/sstc-structural-report.asp




Sunday, April 28, 2013

shoddy construction & inept gov't inspection


http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57581763/bangladesh-building-collapse-death-toll-rises-near-350/


It could happen in the US. Shoddy construction and inept construction inspection by government have reached an all-time high. Montgomery Co., Md. is investigating cracks in a yet-to-be-opened multistory concrete transit center that besides extensive concrete cracking has other problems, including floor slabs that are too thin, unreinforced slabs, missing reinforcement, etc. (Silver Spring Transit Center; http://www.wusa9.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=2272876229001 ). The details of the structural defects are at: http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/dgs/sstc-structural-report.asp . More attention nationwide needs to be given to the problem of shoddy construction and inept government inspection.



Sunday, April 21, 2013

the sad state of construction in the US


Conspiracy theorists aside, there will always be questions in some minds about how so much public money can be spent on a glorified parking garage that is so obviously flawed. Without a thorough and independent investigation that “follows the (public) money”, and includes looking into the relationships of all parties involved, questions in the minds of some will always remain. All parties, the County, the contractor, the engineer, and the concrete inspection/testing firm, should welcome a thorough, independent investigation (FBI?) so that the public’s lingering questions can be answered, and the names of all parties involved can be cleared.

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/dgs/resources/SSTC-Report-March-15-2013.pdf

for more on this story see washingtonpost.com. search "Silver Spring Transit Center" or "SSTC".

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Pulte Homes Blight Authority


http://vimeo.com/59687100

The Detroit Blight Authority would be helpful in clearing blight in Pulte developments outside Detroit, e.g. Fairhaven in Schertz TX. 

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Pulte-demolishes-homes-beyond-repair/5fNMSZ6-IEa6c-jpETrThQ.cspx



Saturday, February 16, 2013

Pulte Homes


http://www.mlive.com/news/detroit/index.ssf/2013/02/who_is_bill_pulte_the_man_who.html


my comment posted to the article:

PEretired

"Many of us outside Detroit who have dealt with Pulte Homes contractually feel differently about Pulte Homes than Pulte Homes feels about Pulte Homes. We don’t associate honesty and integrity with Pulte Homes. http://peretired.blogspot.com/ "

1 Hour Ago · Reply

Saturday, February 2, 2013

Pulte crap



http://pulte-homes.pissedconsumer.com/stay-away-from-pulte-homes-20130201380901.html

from Philadelphia PA:

"I bought a Pulte home. I didn't know anything about Pulte before I bought the house. I simply needed a house at the time, and the one I bought happens to be Pulte. But after several years in the house now, I know better for the next time, to stay away from any Pulte homes".
House not wrapped (Tyvek or equal), so very drafty inside;.
HVAC undersized and unbalanced, so room temps vary 20 deg from one end to the other?.
Siding installed improperly (nails too tight, as if by a nail gun), so the siding is all wrinkly looking?.
Internal wiring is a big mess, can't believe it passed inspection?.
Taped sheetrock joints peeling everywhere, especially in the garage.
Nail pops everywhere throughout the house.
Fireplace not tight, so extremely drafty, and cold air gushes in all winter long.
Windows are of poorest quality and installed improperly. Locks don't work, windows won't stay closed, huge gaps around all windows, so very drafty.
Plumbing installed incorrectly in many places, and/or not insulated where they should be, so pipes sweat and leak in ceilings below.
Lowest quality 40% efficiency HVAC units and water heater, so gas and electric bills are abnormally high (also contributed to gaps and draft throughout the house.
Poorly insulated attic.
The list goes on and on. Heed my warning, stay away from Pulte homes. Don't contract to build one. What you know now won't help if you think you will contract to build one and just police their construction. Like any semi-custom home builder, they won't let you in until it's done, so you'll never see all their cheats and shotty workmanship hidden behind the walls and floors."
.
.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Pulte Homes' pissed consumers


http://pulte-homes.pissedconsumer.com/pulte-liars-and-scammers-20111214281595.html#comments


"In 2004 I made the mistake of signing a contract with Pulte homes to build a house for me. There have been widespread problems in the 6,000+ home development where I bought (Sun City Hilton Head, SC) including substituting nails for hurricane clips in roofs (the building code requires that houses be capable of withstanding 130 mph hurricane-force winds in this coastal area) and widespread problems with cracking and failing stucco. Unfortunately, Pulte puts out so much BS on the internet and other media that most people are unaware of how bad a builder that Pulte is. I've tried correcting that with my blog (http://peretired.blogspot.com/); but, it's just about impossible to get the word out. Thanks to pissed consumer for their efforts."

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Pulte Homes 401K rollover???


http://rollovercenter.com/Rollover/pulte-homes-401k-Rollover-Forms-Paperwork-Planning-Kit.htm

Now there's a scary thought!!!

But then, "there's one born every minute!" 
(I'm living proof--I signed a contract with Pulte for Pulte to build me one of their shoddy houses.)

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Pulte Homes & Google


Did you ever notice how when you Google "Pulte Homes" that if Pulte's stock has gone up for the day that it's displayed REAL BIG at the top; but, when Pulte's stock goes down for the day that it's not displayed at all?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...