|
DoubleT2172 posted:, I really just feel like i'm getting gaslighted by my wife and friends who are all "houses settle, this is normal!" . I feel you. It seems people would rather deny reality than experience it with you. I suppose it's a strategy than can get you elected president :P
|
#
?
Mar 2, 2021 19:53
|
|
|
|
| # ? Jun 5, 2024 22:38 |
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:All my warranties are via email thankfully so i will have records of all of it. I'm at a loss here because i really feel like this house is a lemon and told my wife as much and she just thinks i'm being overly dramatic with it. You need to document when they came, what they did and whether it worked or not too. DoubleT2172 posted:They have only done grinding on the striker plates, not the doors or anything Unacceptable for a new home unless that is a temporary work around until it's done properly. DoubleT2172 posted:What could a real estate attorney realistically do for me? This is only my second house I've bought, the first one was completely trouble free and I really have no idea about any of this, I'm sorry for the dumb question. They will get you on the path to the documentation I was discussing as well as be there to advocate for you if and when this gets worse. Just having representation reach out means your work orders go to the very top of the pile and get the best treatment. Also, as someone else said - construction defect suit. You need to be ready for this by the sounds of it. This isn't hair on fire om my god stuff, it's just spending a few bucks and some time to protect yourself in the largest financial transaction you've likely ever made in your entire life to date.
|
|
#
?
Mar 2, 2021 20:18
|
|
|
Motronic posted:You need to document when they came, what they did and whether it worked or not too. I sort of wonder if he needs to hire a home inspector too - having a third party take a look might reveal the underlying issue (and at the very least you've got a written record of the issues). I'd definitely agree with getting in contact with a lawyer ASAP, your house shouldn't be settling to that degree already.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 00:42
|
|
|
devicenull posted:I sort of wonder if he needs to hire a home inspector too - having a third party take a look might reveal the underlying issue (and at the very least you've got a written record of the issues). I'd definitely agree with getting in contact with a lawyer ASAP, your house shouldn't be settling to that degree already. The attorney will absolutely know not only what type of person to bring in, but what specifically they should be doing and likely who would be the best person to accomplish that. Rather than going down the list of possibilities I decided to go with "get the important person first."
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 02:01
|
|
|
devicenull posted:I sort of wonder if he needs to hire a home inspector too - having a third party take a look might reveal the underlying issue (and at the very least you've got a written record of the issues). I'd definitely agree with getting in contact with a lawyer ASAP, your house shouldn't be settling to that degree already. One thing you need to remember is that home inspectors are not liable for any mistakes they make. If you suspect a problem it should be a specialist you trust. The lawyer probably would recommend a structural assessment by a licensed engineer if it is that bad. As a PE myself I can tell you that differential settlement causing greater than 1/2 inch or so in height across the width of the house is about the most initial settlement that is acceptable. What you are describing suggests they did not properly prepare the soil or foundation or both, likely with inadequate compaction. If that is the case, differential settlement that extreme could compromise the structure. We're talking cracked basement walls leaking water, broken sewer connections, possibly structural damage that you can't see yet. This could be nothing. It could also write off the house if intervention early isn't done. Get a professional engineer. Blindeye fucked around with this message at 20:01 on Mar 3, 2021 |
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 04:46
|
|
|
I appreciate everyone's input. I've contacted my real estate agent about getting a real estate attorney to start the ball rolling. Here is an imgur album of issues i've had so you can see what i'm describing, I hadn't even mentioned that the tiling contractor they hired for the bathroom didn't properly caulk the shower insert so I was having water issues post shower for like a month until we noticed it happening and they fixed it I had an inspection done before buying the house too so it's not like i went in blind. Seems the inspector wasn't very good despite being highly recommended? https://imgur.com/a/bDYsbXT DoubleT2172 fucked around with this message at 15:14 on Mar 3, 2021 |
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 15:03
|
|
|
Aren't doors not closing like in that pic sometimes an indicator there's a problem with the foundation?
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 15:08
|
|
|
My wife doesn't like the carpet in our basement. Any issues with using LVT in a basement? It's a walkout, never had any flooding issues, etc. Just make sure to get an underlayer since it will sit on concrete, correct?
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 15:16
|
|
|
Less Fat Luke posted:Aren't doors not closing like in that pic sometimes an indicator there's a problem with the foundation? The guy who came out to "fix" them claimed it was because lumber is in such short supply they weren't fully dry when they were installed so as they dried out there was warping causing it.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 15:16
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:The guy who came out to "fix" them claimed it was because lumber is in such short supply they weren't fully dry when they were installed so as they dried out there was warping causing it. Well that sure sounds cheaper to fix than a foundation 
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 15:31
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:The guy who came out to "fix" them claimed it was because lumber is in such short supply they weren't fully dry when they were installed so as they dried out there was warping causing it. Oh yeah, I heard that excuse for a bunch of luxury townhomes that were built in Philly. Still under litigation. Spoiler alert: it wasn't the lumber.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 15:50
|
|
|
I mean there was a massive supply crunch for lumber this year, so its not out of the realm of possibility, but doesnt excuse shoddy work. I've about given up on getting any contractors to do anything to my house for the next 5 years. Credit is cheap and everyone stuck at home has the same home improvement ideas that I do.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 16:05
|
|
|
BaseballPCHiker posted:I mean there was a massive supply crunch for lumber this year, so its not out of the realm of possibility, but doesnt excuse shoddy work. The things happening to the place in Philly and likely this goon house can not be explained solely by green lumber. Which is a baffling concept to begin with because all commercial lumber that I'm aware of is kiln dried. It's ready to build with the day it comes out of the kiln. We live in a "just in time" supply chain world, ain't nobody got yards of air drying dimensional lumber sitting for a year to season before they finish mill it. Cheap binned C grade lumber full of knots that got cheated time in the kiln? Of course. What do you think Home Depot and Lowes stocks their store with?
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 16:10
|
|
|
Motronic posted:The things happening to the place in Philly and likely this goon house can not be explained solely by green lumber. Which is a baffling concept to begin with because all commercial lumber that I'm aware of is kiln dried. It's ready to build with the day it comes out of the kiln. Motronic (and everyone else!) I seriously appreciate your input on these things. I'm having some real brain issues with all these things coming out because I think, ok I get the real estate attorney to go nuclear and get a resolution, but what's the resolution? I mean like you said the Philly homes are still in litigation. Am I going to end up in a destressed property value wise that could have a effed foundation for years until we get a settlement?
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 16:15
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:Motronic (and everyone else!) I seriously appreciate your input on these things. I'm having some real brain issues with all these things coming out because I think, ok I get the real estate attorney to go nuclear and get a resolution, but what's the resolution? I mean like you said the Philly homes are still in litigation. Am I going to end up in a destressed property value wise that could have a effed foundation for years until we get a settlement? It doesn't necessarily have to be that bad. And I hope it isn't. Maybe it's nothing at all and this "settling" will stop and you just need to make sure they honor their warranty. The whole "get a lawyer" is just protecting yourself from a potentially expensive situation. If the lawyer needs to do anything the resolution could be anything from monetary damages to you forcing them to buy the place back. And a bunch of other things. But don't put the cart before the horse. You're nowhere close to that. We're just picking up on warning signs and advising a defensive and cautious posture.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 16:22
|
|
|
Motronic posted:It doesn't necessarily have to be that bad. And I hope it isn't. Maybe it's nothing at all and this "settling" will stop and you just need to make sure they honor their warranty. Very much appreciated. I am just think kind of person what wants every outcome in their head before starting something, and that isn't very useful when it could just be some small things like you said. I'll stop clogging up this thread with my issues now since you all have given me the advice i need!
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 16:25
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:I appreciate everyone's input. I've contacted my real estate agent about getting a real estate attorney to start the ball rolling. Here is an imgur album of issues i've had so you can see what i'm describing, I hadn't even mentioned that the tiling contractor they hired for the bathroom didn't properly caulk the shower insert so I was having water issues post shower for like a month until we noticed it happening and they fixed it Why would your real estate agent have much obligation to help you after your sale? I would just go straight to an attorney, I'm not sure what cachet your realtor would add if any. I don't know much about this, only curious.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 19:03
|
|
|
Inner Light posted:Why would your real estate agent have much obligation to help you after your sale? I would just go straight to an attorney, I'm not sure what cachet your realtor would add if any. Sorry, guess I really should have said a buddy of mine who was also my real estate agent. I knew him outside of the real estate transaction. He has more local information in regards to a real estate attorney than I do
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 19:11
|
|
|
Inner Light posted:Why would your real estate agent have much obligation to help you after your sale? I would just go straight to an attorney, I'm not sure what cachet your realtor would add if any. They have zero obligation and one good incentive, repeat business.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 19:57
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:The guy who came out to "fix" them claimed it was because lumber is in such short supply they weren't fully dry when they were installed so as they dried out there was warping causing it. If it is lumber moisture, the problem will be worse the higher in the house you are. If the issues are on the ground floor it isn't the lumber.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 20:04
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:I appreciate everyone's input. I've contacted my real estate agent about getting a real estate attorney to start the ball rolling. Here is an imgur album of issues i've had so you can see what i'm describing, I hadn't even mentioned that the tiling contractor they hired for the bathroom didn't properly caulk the shower insert so I was having water issues post shower for like a month until we noticed it happening and they fixed it Yowsa. I don't know anything, but the bottom right photo is this collage looks wild 
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 21:35
|
|
|
DoubleT2172 posted:I'll stop clogging up this thread with my issues now since you all have given me the advice i need! 
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 21:59
|
|
|
I've built 2 new construction houses so far, and I can tell you those issues are not OK at all. I basically went to war with my last builder, took me 13 months to get everything taken care of, but they did. It was all cosmetic stuff, but it was still outside their defined "warranty standards". Check and see if your builder has a document on whats acceptable and what isn't acceptable. If they don't, your state may have a set of guidelines or standards. Like those shower tiles in that photo. I had my entire master shower ripped out and redone because over half the tiles had small chips in them. Anything over 1/16th of an inch was outside their standard, and I made them fix it. The spacers the tile guys used are also showing in the grout lines. They wiped too much grout off when they installed the tiles. You shouldn't be seeing those at all. Those doors should be rehung. Make them take all the trim off, and reinstall the doors so they're properly shimmed and level and function properly. Most of this looks like absolute poo poo subcontractor work, which unfortunately is to be expected (but not tolerated!) these days. Those cracks around the door frames though are worrisome. I usually see those here in the San Antonio area in older homes with foundation issues. Seeing those in new construction is not normal to me. I had a couple small ones in my house, one on a vertical part of my kitchen island, and another one near another corner, but nothing like that.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 22:13
|
|
|
skipdogg posted:I've built 2 new construction houses so far, and I can tell you those issues are not OK at all.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 22:30
|
|
|
I'm not a tradesman or anything, so my recommendation might not be the right fix, but pretty sure sledgehammers shouldn't be involved.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 22:34
|
|
|
skipdogg posted:I'm not a tradesman or anything, so my recommendation might not be the right fix, but pretty sure sledgehammers shouldn't be involved. Yeah, you got this one just fine.
|
|
#
?
Mar 3, 2021 22:36
|
|
|
Dunno if this is the best place for this question, but hoping for a reality check with someone that isn't my wife before considering seriously. I currently am about 10 years into a 30 year mortgage at 3.25% interest, 113k remaining. Zillow (lol) thinks my house is worth 350k, but that isn't too far off comps in my area in similar/slightly renovated condition. I'm considering a refi to a 15 year mortgage and cashing out $100k for various quality of life improvements including a new deck, kitchen and floors, and having some additional money in the bank. My wife and I take home around $120k and comfortably afford a $1050 mortgage payment currently, and estimate our payment would be around $1700 depending on interest rates. Our only current debt is $5k in a HELOC and about $10k in student loans. Are there any drawbacks I'm not considering? Honestly, my preference would be to move or build as I don't love our current house's layout, but given the market right now and continuing COVID uncertainties, I feel like we should be grateful to be in a house at all, and that'd be just a bit more liability than I want to take on. I'd be much happier with our current location if we could make the previously mentioned improvements.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 02:24
|
|
|
SuicidalSmurf posted:Dunno if this is the best place for this question, but hoping for a reality check with someone that isn't my wife before considering seriously. I currently am about 10 years into a 30 year mortgage at 3.25% interest, 113k remaining. Zillow (lol) thinks my house is worth 350k, but that isn't too far off comps in my area in similar/slightly renovated condition. I'm considering a refi to a 15 year mortgage and cashing out $100k for various quality of life improvements including a new deck, kitchen and floors, and having some additional money in the bank. My wife and I take home around $120k and comfortably afford a $1050 mortgage payment currently, and estimate our payment would be around $1700 depending on interest rates. Our only current debt is $5k in a HELOC and about $10k in student loans. Are there any drawbacks I'm not considering? Honestly, my preference would be to move or build as I don't love our current house's layout, but given the market right now and continuing COVID uncertainties, I feel like we should be grateful to be in a house at all, and that'd be just a bit more liability than I want to take on. I'd be much happier with our current location if we could make the previously mentioned improvements.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 02:30
|
|
|
That's a tough decision. There's a lot of details and emotion that go into it. Personally. If the path to upgrade the house was clear and easy, then I would do that. Right now I don't think it is based on the layout items you mentioned and the construction crunch right now. Based on that, I'd rather move. And I hate moving. Right now in my area, I doubt I could do much better than where I am, so I am not doing either for now. I did refi for a lower payment and I'll buy some nice house stuff and save up to remodel the kitchen eventually. A friend of mine had this perspective, he can't buy up in his area cheaper than it costs to remodel his house. So he's doing the refi cash and remodel.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 02:42
|
|
|
Yeah I have two medium sized jobs to get estimated and plan out and I'm refusing to move on it this year with the material shortage and insane demand.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 02:43
|
|
|
SuicidalSmurf posted:Dunno if this is the best place for this question, but hoping for a reality check with someone that isn't my wife before considering seriously. I currently am about 10 years into a 30 year mortgage at 3.25% interest, 113k remaining. Zillow (lol) thinks my house is worth 350k, but that isn't too far off comps in my area in similar/slightly renovated condition. I'm considering a refi to a 15 year mortgage and cashing out $100k for various quality of life improvements including a new deck, kitchen and floors, and having some additional money in the bank. My wife and I take home around $120k and comfortably afford a $1050 mortgage payment currently, and estimate our payment would be around $1700 depending on interest rates. Our only current debt is $5k in a HELOC and about $10k in student loans. Are there any drawbacks I'm not considering? Honestly, my preference would be to move or build as I don't love our current house's layout, but given the market right now and continuing COVID uncertainties, I feel like we should be grateful to be in a house at all, and that'd be just a bit more liability than I want to take on. I'd be much happier with our current location if we could make the previously mentioned improvements.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 06:37
|
|
|
I'm definitely in a situation where any house that would check all my boxes would be around 450k, minimum, and everything in my area (Olympia, WA) is going pretty much going pending same day. Factor in a couple young kids and buying just seems like a huge pain in the rear end, and I don't want to be in a situation where I'm anywhere near approaching house-poor. My main gripe with the layout is that it is a split-level and we tend not to utilize the downstairs that much, but will likely change as the kids get older, and is really my only gripe aside from just generally preferring a rambler- these are in exceedingly short supply, though, and appear to fetch a premium. I'll look into Moana's suggestion regarding a 30 year. My wife definitely has some contributions to catch up, I'm doing decent but am not maxed. I need some logical reasoning to set aside the appeal of being mortgage-free about the time my kids are graduating high school, but I can definitely see us making quality-of-life improvements in the interim with a reasonable cashout, then re-evaluating in 5 years or so if/when the market regains some sanity, and being little to no worse off equity wise post-improvements. Long Long story short, a 100% increase in equity in less than 10 years is a problem I never imagined myself having, and I feel I need to strike while the iron is hot- I would have never imagined I'd be looking at a scenario where rates are lower than where I bought in 2012.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 08:35
|
|
|
This seems like a silly question but does anyone have tips for a tall fridge and a short person? My partner cannot reach the top shelf or two even on our new fridge. Right now we're going with a small two-step stool next to the fridge but that's not great and blocks a bunch of cupboards.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 14:51
|
|
|
Do you have clearance on the side of your fridge for a folding stool?
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 15:02
|
|
|
Well my boiler quit working last night, and is throwing an error 302 code low pressure. Looks like my expansion tank sprung a leak. Fun stuff! Just when you think everything is going well.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 15:03
|
|
|
vs Dinosaurs posted:Do you have clearance on the side of your fridge for a folding stool?
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 15:04
|
|
|
Nice! Other than storing stuff they don’t like on those shelves the only thing I can think of is hanging a stool off a nearby wall to regain some utility, though that would probably be an eye sore.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 15:06
|
|
|
I need some help understanding bathroom sink faucets. I'm going to be replacing my bathroom sink faucet and I'm looking online to find some that are compatible. I checked and my countertop has two holes, one for each supply line that goes into the faucet from below. I've managed to figure out that my faucet size is "centreset". Most of the faucets that I've looked at online that look compatible say you need minimum three holes, and it looks like the 3rd one is for the piece that connects to your drain, however I just use a push-in type drainstopper. There is a vastly smaller selection of centreset faucets with two holes. So if I use a three hole faucet and just don't connect the drain thingy (like one of these bad boys ) should it work fine or is that third hole somehow going start pouring water everywhere? Or am I overthinking this?
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 16:55
|
|
|
It just doesn't sound right. Do you have a pic? It's generally one hole or three, unless it's the old school separate hot and cold on either end of the sink.
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 17:07
|
|
|
|
| # ? Jun 5, 2024 22:38 |
|
|
StormDrain posted:It just doesn't sound right. Do you have a pic? Here you go Please ignore the gross water damage, it looks worse on the photo than it does with my eyes. Part of the reason we're replacing the faucet is that we're going to remove the existing faucet to clean everything and re-caulk the whole sink area, then replace with a nicer and newer faucet (no pictures of that because that whole area is a mess right now).
|
|
#
?
Mar 4, 2021 17:52
|
|