Latest news with #constructionissues
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘We're stuck with this house': Utah family says their $860K new build cracked, flooded and forced them out
When Neal and Jessica Schmidt relocated from Chicago to Lehi, Utah, they were looking for more space for their growing family. They already had two young children and had just found out they were expecting a third. Drawn in by the stunning mountain views and the promise of a new life, they purchased a brand-new home for $860,000 from Toll Brothers, a developer that calls itself 'America's luxury home builder.' But that dream home quickly turned into a nightmare, they told FOX 13. Within 30 days of moving in, the Schmidts say they noticed cracks in the drywall. By the second month, doors were no longer opening or closing properly as the house continued to settle. Then, while they were away, a pipe above the stove burst, flooding the house and forcing the family into a rental. What they thought would be a three-month displacement turned into an 18-month ordeal. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Despite the home being under warranty, the Schmidts say the timeline for repairs dragged on without any guaranteed deadlines. During the entire time Toll Brothers was working on the home, the family lived in a series of short-term rentals. 'We're building tunnels under oceans,' Jessica Schmidt told FOX 13. 'How hard is it to make sure this house doesn't slide down a river?' Neal Schmidt began documenting the delays on social media, even tagging Toll Brothers. Other homeowners in the neighborhood also reported issues, but only one neighbor's home was bought back by the builder. When the Schmidts asked for the same, they say the company flatly refused. In the end, the couple reached a private settlement with Toll Brothers and removed the social media posts. But the emotional and financial damage remained. 'We're stuck with this house that we know is never going to be worth what it could be,' Jessica said. The Schmidts' story is far from unique in Utah. In a 2023 case that drew national attention, homes in a Draper, Utah neighborhood slid down a mountainside after being built on unstable ground. FOX 13 has investigated and found a common thread: Utah's laws offer little protection for homebuyers facing construction defects. 'There's a fair chance that when you buy a home in Utah,' said John Morris, an attorney who has represented Utah homeowners, 'and there are problems with that home, you really will have no avenue for recovery. Zero.' Read more: No millions? No problem. With as little as $10, here's of diversified assets usually only available to major players Utah's rapid growth has fueled a boom in new home construction, but legal protections haven't kept pace. Unlike some states, which have licensing boards to investigate poor workmanship, Utah has no agency tasked with enforcing quality standards in new builds. The Division of Professional Licensing only penalizes builders for issues like working without permits, not for construction flaws that emerge after closing. Most builders offer warranties, but those warranties often favor the builder. They may not guarantee repair timelines and can exclude major problems. They also tend to limit what a homeowner can do legally, sometimes requiring arbitration instead of lawsuits, which can restrict your options for getting meaningful compensation. And while homeowners technically have six years to sue over safety-related defects, those cases are costly, time-consuming and rarely pay off. Utah doesn't allow most homeowners to recover attorney's fees in these lawsuits. So what can Utah buyers do? Research the builder: Read reviews and look into past complaints or lawsuits. Get a serious inspection: Don't rely on a basic $150 inspection or city approval. Hire someone who can assess your home's structural integrity and moisture protection. Read the contract closely: Know what's covered in the warranty, how long it lasts, and whether it includes binding arbitration clauses that limit your legal rights. File warranty claims early and in writing: Don't wait — most builders won't act unless you document the issue and make a formal claim. Document everything: Photos, videos, repair requests, and email chains can all support your case if issues escalate. Use public pressure: If you get nowhere with the builder, consider online reviews or reaching out to local reporters. One homeowner said that's what finally got the company's attention. Understand your HOA rules: If your neighborhood has one, you may be financially responsible for repairs to shared infrastructure, even if it was the developer's fault. Until Utah lawmakers pass stronger protections for buyers, the burden of making sure a home is safe and sound falls largely on the homeowner. And that means doing your homework long before the keys are in your hand. This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Money doesn't have to be complicated — sign up for the free Moneywise newsletter for actionable finance tips and news you can use. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I make a living inspecting dodgy new properties… here are six steps you can take to stop your dream home turning into a nightmare
A property inspector who exposes dodgy new builds has revealed the best way Australians can avoid getting caught out when buying a home. Zeher Khalil, who goes by the moniker ' TikTok Inspector', has used his decade in construction to inform potential buyers on how to avoid poorly built homes. Clad in black clothes, the 43-year-old uses a body camera and phone to shine a light on every crack or shaky awning at new properties. The videos are a way to raise awareness about his day-to-day, Melbourne-based business 'Site Inspections', which provides customers with forensic assessments. The aim, he told Daily Mail Australia, is to save people from losing money by highlighting issues before they move in and the builders leave the property. 'It's one of the biggest investments you will ever have in your life,' he said. 'These guys that we're busting, they're just scammers and I'm glad we're naming and shaming most of them.' While inspections by his company can cost up to a few thousand dollars, Mr Khalil has shared some steps for buyers to avoid their dream homes becoming a nightmare. Don't trust the display home 'Sometimes a display home is made by the A-team,' he said, adding that this doesn't always guarantee they will also be the builders behind the other properties. 'The company will get different supervisors for different jobs, and you might end up with a different kind of home,' he said. As a result, Mr Khalil advised buyers to keep an eye on the property during its progress to follow changes that are made. Always get an independent inspection Leading on from his first suggestion, Mr Khalil advised bringing in an expert throughout the construction process. 'If you're building (a home), before you make a payment, or you go to make a final stage payment, get it checked,' he said. 'Because you might not see it again, and you might not be getting what you're paying for.' But even if a buyer isn't able to afford an independent inspector, Mr Khalil suggested customers tell the builders they are planning to. 'If they resist, that is a massive indicator that you have to get someone to look at it because these guys are trying to hide something,' he said. He said homeowners he previously worked for have told builders they are bringing in an independent inspector and the job has been delayed, cleaned up or fixed. Read the contract 'Read the contract like you're suing them tomorrow,' Mr Khalil said, warning that there could be clauses that customers might not expect. 'If you're late on payment, or you have to accept alternative solutions, there's all these things that come up later on. 'People just sign the contract, they don't even read it.' The inspector said a lawyer costs a few hundred dollars but it would be worth it to make sure 'no shifty things' are in the contract. Never use the builders' surveyor or certifier Builders sometimes recommend a surveyor who gives a building permit, but Mr Khalil advised buyers to 'always consult someone else'. 'Get someone independent, not someone who's recommended by a builder, because most likely, they'll be more lenient,' he said. 'You want somebody to be really assertive and stringent with their findings.' What to focus on Mr Khalil suggested there are three features on properties that should always be checked when buying: the roofing, bathrooms and balconies. He said these locations are the most common areas that have potential issues with water. 'Water just destroys everything and that's the biggest problem here in Australia,' he said. 'Get those assessed properly and watch out for what's going on.' He also advised that, if there is any subsidence in the pavement around the home or if there are cracks in the external walls, this could mean there is 'movement in the slab'. The Victorian Building Authority has previously described this issue as 'foundation movement' or 'slab heave'. When the foundation lifts excessively in part of a house, this can then develop cracks. Mr Khalil also pointed to 'patched up bricks' as a sign that vendors might be 'trying to hide something'.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
Our ‘disastrous' newbuild estate is getting MORE homes despite being unfinished for 5 years & cut off by two landslides
A DISASTROUS newbuild estate is set to get more homes despite being unfinished for five years and cut off by two landslides. Local residents have been left fuming at developers plans in the West Midlands with some still cut off from their homes. 3 3 3 Homeowners say their £400,000 properties have been "plagued by problems" since moving into the Cradley Heath area of the Black Country. Some have been cut off from their homes for more than six months after two separate landslides blocked roads last March and just before Christmas. Around a dozen residents of Haden Cross Drive still can't park on their driveways with earth and rubble fell just feet from their front doors. Others have reported the area "unsafe" as well as other issues including streetlights not working and problems with the sewers. Locals are shocked that Dunedin Homes wants to build six new homes nearby as the existing area remains unfinished and "looks like a building site". Matthew McSwiggan moved into Farmhouse Close three years ago and demands the current issues are addressed before any new plans are considered. He said that locals had "reached breaking point" and building new homes"would be nothing short of a disaster". "Dunedin have overpromised and underdelivered," Matthew said. "It would be nothing short of a disaster for new homes to be built at this stage. "We've been left living on an unsafe and unfinished site for almost four years. "We still have no street lighting, which led to my elderly mother tripping. "Only last week were our driveways and paths finally tarmacked, after years of chasing the developer. "It has caused much anxiety and anger for residents, which would get worse if more homes were built. "We have been luckier than those in Haden Cross Drive, but we have all been left fearful for our homes." Engineer Reece Aleksander, 33, lives with his wife Georgia and their baby and says residents feel abandoned on the estate, fearing the problems will never be resolved. He said: "We can't believe they have had the audacity to submit these plans. "Surely fix the problems that exist here first, there has been a lot of objections and protests. "They want to build it on a road at the top of the bank where the landslide happened and a lot of people think this is unsafe. "When I step outside my house we've still got this big mound of dirt to look at, it's a nightmare. "Even going up onto my lawn I can still see this big mound of dirt. "I literally said to my wife that I hate living here. "We bought a newbuild under the impression that there wouldn't be any issues, maybe a few snags. "But instead I'm having to deal with this - it's just become an absolute joke." Another local resident added that the plans were a "disgrace" and developers were "thinking about lining their pockets". The developer behind the 53-home estate, Dunedin Homes, wants to add six new houses to the development on a patch of land at the rear of the site. They would be three-and-four-bed homes on a new cul-de-sac around 150 metres away from Haden Cross Drive. The ground above homes in Haden Cross Drive began to slip last year after a wall gave way and now a huge mound blocks the road to the cul-de-sac. John Tipper, a Green Party Councillor for the Cradley Heath area, said: "The developers have not remedied initial issues raised by residents with the estate currently, and it defies belief that they would now apply to build more homes. "The landslip was not the first issue, and the residents have been left living in conditions they shouldn't have to tolerate. "I think the plan is outrageous." The developer says it has undertaken works in Farmhouse Close this month. This includes the final topping of tarmac on all footpaths and driveways, replacing damaged kerbs to all dwellings and plans to get streetlights working again soon. However, they deny any issues with sewage and drainage on the estate. A spokesperson for Dunedin Homes said: "Any outstanding works will be completed as demonstrated on Farmhouse Close earlier this month. "Sadly, the landslide has prevented the final works on and around Haden Cross Drive, but the new engineers and investigations are almost complete, which will soon allow Haden Cross Drive to re-open and the street lighting to be energised. "There are no issues with drainage or sewage."
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Furious residents who paid £735k for their dream homes on a luxury new-build estate say they have been left with an 'absolute s***show'
Furious homeowners who paid up to £735k for their dream homes on a luxury new-build estate have blasted developers for leaving them living on 'a building site' - years after moving in. The prestigious The Willows development in Darlington, County Durham, promised 'executive living' with detached four and five-bed homes starting from £520,000. Despite construction starting five years ago – and the final home completed in April – swathes of the award-winning 59-home estate remain in a state of disarray. Its affluent residents say what was sold to them in glossy brochures as a prestigious, high-spec lifestyle has instead become a frustrating ordeal, with unfinished roads, open trenches, exposed cabling, and missing street lighting plaguing the estate. They accused developer Story Homes of shifting its focus to other multi-million pound projects having sold the last of its 2,500 sq ft homes. Mike Darrie, 59, paid more than half-a-million pounds to be the first person to move onto the exclusive estate in the sought-after West Darlington area in 2020. He claims to have spent thousands replacing tyres, wheels and an exhaust on his two BMWs, which he says were destroyed by exposed ironworks on unfinished roads. Mr Darrie told MailOnline: 'Every wheel on one car is ruined, and three on the other are damaged, and we try and park very carefully. Homeowners have been left frustated with unfinished roads, open trenches, exposed cabling, and missing street lighting plaguing the estate 'My car's has had three sets of tyres on it. It's only done 30,000 miles. It's about £500 for two tyres. 'I rang Story the other day and they more or less told me to f*** off. They're not just interested. 'It's an absolute s***show, it's horrendous. 'The road is like a four-wheel drive track. I've joked that we'll have a motocross circuit here shortly if things don't change. 'I paid half a million quid for a house - I didn't sign up to get car damage. 'That car was brand new last year and those wheels aren't cheap. And I'm not paying for them. I will take legal action against them.' Pointing to an exposed drain on an unfinished pavement, directly outside his five-bed home, Mr Darrie added: 'It doesn't matter how much the houses are. If it's £100,000 or £500,000 we shouldn't be left living on a building site.' Story Homes promised a collection of vast family homes 'all built to our most prestigious specification' which 'combine exceptionally spacious and modern interiors with external character and traditional features.' Residents have accused developer Story Homes of shifting its focus to other multi-million pound projects having sold the last of its 2,500 sq ft homes While homeowners say their houses have been built to exacting standards - for which they praised Cumbria-based Story - less can be said for the surrounding land. Complaints have been made over holes in pavements, unfinished footpaths and unconnected street lighting that has left some houses in complete darkness at night. Richard Hodson and his wife Karen, both 65, paid £715,000 to secure a five-bed property, thought to be among the most expensive on the estate. They moved from Solihull, in the West Midlands, in February 2022 after falling in love with the home's secluded location. Metal fences lie yards from their front door, preventing access to a footpath to the main road that has yet to be completed. Mr Hodson said: 'We chose probably the most expensive house on the development because of this spot. 'We were all expecting it to be finished in June 2023 and here we are in June 2025, and they're only just getting around to completing it. 'I'm quite a patient person, but I think everyone here is cheesed off now. We've been adversely affected by the raised ironworks in the road. It hasn't done our tyres or our cars any good. Mr Hodson and his wife Karen, both 65, praised Story for the quality of the 'desirable' houses but said they had become frustrated with the lack of progress to complete the development 'We're only just starting to see some progress, and that's largely down to campaigning by people who live here. 'Until everything gets finally finished, we can't properly enjoy it.' The couple praised Story for the quality of the 'desirable' houses but said they had become frustrated with the lack of progress to complete the development. Mr Hodson added: 'Many people are very, very pleased with the quality of the build of their house. 'Story had a lot of goodwill attached to this development, but unfortunately, much of that - if not all of it - has evaporated in the last two years.' In 2022, Story Homes landed an award for the best residential development in Co Durham for its transformation of The Willows. One homeowner said: 'It's almost as if they won the award and then they walked away.' Story Homes insisted it remains committed to completing the outstanding work and has apologised to residents - blaming 'unforeseen technical challenges and ecological requirements' for the delays. When our reporters visited the development this week, subcontractors had returned to the site to Tarmac pavements and clear rubble after being shamed in local newspaper coverage. One resident had described the new-build estate to the Northern Echo a 'diabolical health hazard'. Jane Thirling, 56, and husband Stephen, 61, moved onto the estate three years ago. Outside their home, workmen were using diggers to excavate a vast mound of soil that failed to resemble original landscape designs. Mrs Thirling said: 'There was meant to be a lovely open space outside our house - we've even still got the housing brochure showing what it was meant to look like. 'My husband's been talking to the council for a year and a half to try and get this sorted out. 'Before this week no-one was on site for five weeks and I think that was the final straw for a lot of people. 'Some people have been living on here for more than five years and they have had enough. 'It takes the sheen off moving into a new home. We've been here three and a half years, we shouldn't still be living on a building site. 'We shouldn't still have metal railings outside our house, when we were promised they'd be gone in six months.' Mr Thirling also accused Darlington Council of failing to stand up for residents and hold Story Homes and its subcontractors to account. He said: 'For me, the fundamental issue is with the council. 'Once the last house is sold, there's no real incentive left for the developer to spend money. 'The council were happy enough to start collecting our council tax but not happy enough to enforce the agreements they had with the developer. 'There's been a lack of transparency and a lack of reliable communication from anybody about what's going on. 'I was a project manager, I know things don't go perfectly. But when it goes wrong, don't treat people with contempt.' Mr Thirling said he would like to see rules changed that would only enable town halls to collect council tax when a development is completed in line with planning agreements. He said: 'It would focus everyone's attention – both the council and the developer. 'They've been collecting the council tax since we moved in and we're still waiting for what we paid for. 'How they won an award for this, God knows.' Story Homes, which is embarking on a similar homebuilding project in affluent Wilmslow in Cheshire, said final works were delayed due to 'unforeseen technical challenges and ecological requirements'. A spokesperson said: 'We have apologised to residents for the inconvenience this has caused. 'We remain fully committed to completing the outstanding works. 'This includes ongoing liaison with Darlington Borough Council to approve final road surfacing, footpath improvements, street light installation and final clearance of the site compound. 'We are taking clear steps to move the development forward and continue to provide regular updates to residents, who we thank for their continued patience and feedback.' The council insisted: 'Darlington Borough Council is not holding up anything on site.' A spokesperson for Story Homes said: 'We acknowledge the concerns raised and would like to reassure residents that we remain fully committed to completing the outstanding works at The Willows as soon as possible. 'Delays have occurred due to unexpected engineering challenges and environmental considerations, including the need for further investigation into a specific section of road surfacing, following a recent visit by Darlington Borough Council. 'In addition to completing the road surfacing, we are prioritising the completion of footpaths, street lighting, and clearance of fenced and compound areas, with work progressing in close coordination with the council, utility providers, and our contractors. All remaining works are expected to be completed by the end of summer. 'We understand the disruption this has caused and sincerely apologise for this. Residents continue to receive regular updates from our business, and we remain grateful for their patience and ongoing feedback as we work to deliver a high quality completed development.'
