New house - can I call this on the walk-through?

[Secret_Squirrel]

We bought new construction a few months ago and have been checking in from time-to-time...

Countertops were down on our last visit. They're 12x12 tiles. One counter has about 4" of space between the last full-size tile and the edge. But instead of using tiles cut to the width of the space for uniformity, the tile-setter used two smaller sized pieces. So we've got a bunch of extra grout lines around 2 skinny pieces of tile. I'm sure it's scrap. It looks dumb and cheap. No other edge in the kitchen looks like this.

I can't believe this is standard practice, is it? I plan on calling this during my walk-through (DH is concerned about making a big "fuss"). Is there any way the builder can refuse to fix it, because it is still a "functional" countertop?

[Katie1]

I wouldn't wait until the walk-through. Call the builder now and tell him that you want it fixed. This will give him enough time to do it so he's not scrambling around to get it fixed before closing.

[BeachBum]

Definitely complain. The worst they will do is say no. I agree that I would mention it now.

[KGif]

I too would definitely mention it now. That way they can correct it sooner then later. I'd much rather have them do it now then when I'm in the house :)

[mindy75]

ITA with the others. I'd call the builder on it now.

[Secret_Squirrel]

I can't call the builder now. Technically, according to the contract, we aren't allowed to be in the house during construction without prior arrangments. We were just driving by, stopped, and the sliding glass door was open... So technically, we don't know about this yet.

The builder has done a lot to accommodate us and we've met with him personally twice (unheard of for a large builder like this) and gotten accomodations in the contract so that we don't close until the walk-through list is complete (also unheard of. It's seriously a miracle this deal went through). So we're trying to pace our complaints and not look too high-maintanence. Our agent (savvy and not the site agent) suggests we wait 'til the walk through - it's 2 weeks before closing, so there will be time for fixes.

So - what I'm getting from this is that you all think it's as unacceptable as I do. Good.

[katmg]

So - what I'm getting from this is that you all think it's as unacceptable as I do. Good.

Absolutely unacceptable. If there are other small things that aren't right, you might think about "trading" having those fixed for having the counters redone. That's only if they put up a fight about it.

[jennylou]

That's crap work.

[jajacobsen]

While I agree with pick your battles and waiting to accumulate a list of items before calling teh builder, I would not worry too much about the "pre-approved site visit" caluse. It's pretty standard to cover teh builders liability if you were injured during one of your visits to a job site.

Most contracts have these clauses and tehy are almost never enforced. The builder is well waare that the homeowner wil be dropping by teh site. Just don't be obnoxious about it (I'm sure you are not) and all will be well.

[Asha]

I can't call the builder now. Technically, according to the contract, we aren't allowed to be in the house during construction without prior arrangments. We were just driving by, stopped, and the sliding glass door was open... So technically, we don't know about this yet.

The builder has done a lot to accommodate us and we've met with him personally twice (unheard of for a large builder like this) and gotten accomodations in the contract so that we don't close until the walk-through list is complete (also unheard of. It's seriously a miracle this deal went through). So we're trying to pace our complaints and not look too high-maintanence. Our agent (savvy and not the site agent) suggests we wait 'til the walk through - it's 2 weeks before closing, so there will be time for fixes.
that has not been my experience with our new construction. we are allowed on site anytime as long as we arrange a meeting ahead of time with the management. the reason they told us we couldn't drop by unannounced is that it poses a safety risk. why can't you just make an appt now to see the home before the walk through. it has not been my experience that a walk through doesn't take place before closing. the builder has been pretty insistent that we do a walk through before we close on our house. i don't think you need to worry about pacing your complaints. you are paying good money for a new house, and the work should be done up to standard. its better to complain now when you have a leg to stand on rather than after closing when there is less incentive for the builder to comply with your requests.

[maxandmolly]

I have never heard of a builder closing before the final walk through. Are you sure this builder is on the up & up? You should have a walk through a couple weeks or so prior to closing, then the punch out list is drawn up, those things are taken care of, and you do your final walk through. ALL of this should occur prior to closing with any builder of any kind of size. (I worked for a large regional, and a Top 5 national builder.)
The standard clause about not being on the site is for liability reasons. All builders know people drive by, peek in windows, etc, as their houses go up.
Complain now.

[mamax2]

I agree, complain sooner rather than later. If you're worried about having dropped by unannounced, call and schedule a 'progress check' visit w/the the superintendent.

As for the workmanship, it sounds awful. DH owns a flooring company and this would NEVER be acceptable tile work. The countertops shouldn't have to be re-done either, they can pop out the offending pieces and reset w/new pieces. They probably ran short and rather than wait for a new order to come in, tried to take the cheap way out. I'm sure you're paying good money for the house and it's not your problem if they ran short, dropped a box, etc. It needs to be done right.

[MrsT]

Tell them EVERYTHING that bothers you - BEFORE YOU CLOSE!! And of course as soon as you notice it, the builder should know and be working on fixing it as soon as possible.

We were really picky about everything - even got our builder to add landscaping in between our house and our neighbors b/c the brick color was too similar ;) We got EVERYTHING we asked for before closing. Luckily they've also done everything we've asked afterwards too - but our builder is also still in the area (easy to send people out) and has a very good reputation for customer satisfaction.

[hmbay]

I agree--shoddy work and complain. As someone who build a house 3 years ago and said "oh it's a little thing I'll just skip it" I am SO regretting that now. After living in the house a bit I noticed more "little things" I didn't notice at th walk through and they added up enough to p*ss me off really when I consider how much my house cost. The builder can refuse to fix it but I would still voice my complaints. I can guarantee if I ever build another house I will complain about every little tiny thing to the point the builder will be happy to have me go away. ;)

[Secret_Squirrel]

I have never heard of a builder closing before the final walk through. Are you sure this builder is on the up & up?

I'm not sure how this got interpreted. We're not closing before the final walk through. Closing is scheduled for at least two weeks after the walk through, to give time for corrections. Plus, the contract says that closing will not happen until the buyers are 100% satisfied.

As for if we're sure he's on the up and up... Nope. He's a big builder. Uses good materials. But labor can be sketchy. We researched the builder ahead of time and knew this going in, which is why we met with him a couple of times and had a new contract drawn up to protect us. He insists it is b/c he grew too fast and he's reorganized and restaffed, but we've been on top of him ever step of the way. Why did we buy a house from him, then? Great location and unique floorplan that met our needs as a family with future teenagers and a potential infant. And he agreed to the new contract to address our concerns. We did look elsewhere, but kept coming back to this.

DH owns a flooring company and this would NEVER be acceptable tile work. The countertops shouldn't have to be re-done either, they can pop out the offending pieces and reset w/new pieces. They probably ran short and rather than wait for a new order to come in, tried to take the cheap way out. I'm sure you're paying good money for the house and it's not your problem if they ran short, dropped a box, etc. It needs to be done right.

This is probably what happened with the subcontractor and it won't be a big fix. I just wanted to be prepared in case they tried to say it was an acceptable practice, because DH didn't seem to think it was a big deal, like I did.