Steps for Dispute Resolution with Builder
 

Seeking advice on steps for resolving surface drainage issue. Contractor/builder has rendered opinion that we, as home owners, dispute.

Where do we go next within The Villages to seek another opinion?

You will have to hire a qualified independent construction engineer to look at the situation and write a report on the drainage issue. You may then take that to arbitration.

It will not be a cheap solution by any means and will likely be drawn out. Maybe a quicker way to fix the drainage issue is to have a few truckloads of dirt put in there yourself and hire people to slope it correctly. You also may need French drains installed.

In either case, I would hire an independent expert to oversee what is to be done.

I spent an entire career as a contract manager for a Fortune 500 corporation and I would ask you the same question I've asked a hundred engineers seeking similar information - "What does the contract say?" I am sure there is a disputes process described in detail in the contract you signed for your home. If you can't understand the legalese in the contract, take it to a real estate attorney. In my experience in NY, most attorneys won't charge you for an initial consultation. Not sure if that's true in Florida.

Other threads on this issue.
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...drains-110437/
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ays-wet-96866/
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...-lanais-83046/
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...de-yard-54913/

Having it fixed? Five hundred bucks. Priceless.


Hiring a lawyer. Little more than that. Is home under warranty? If it is they'll fix it but deal with warranty anyway. Not contractor/builder.

I suggest you meet with a civil engineer on your site to review the problem and get his opinion in writing. If he says there was an error in grading the site, you can speak to the builder, and then if necessary the County permits department for satisfaction (i.e. repair).It should have been built right in the first place. The engineers fee may be about $300.

I would contact the county building dep't., and speak to whomever did the engineering inspection. This is part of the final inspection for the certificate of occupancy.

HI. Are you on Countryside Path in Village of Charlotte? Is your property with the lake in the backyard? We bought on Countryside Path in March.

I am aware of many people who have drainage issues that the warranty dept. and builders will not fix.
Possibly putting out a thread to start some type of class action as a group might get the ball rolling.

Good luck!

You know, if people did their jobs properly and stood behind their work and fixed their errors without delay or making the customer jump through hoops, there would be no need for lawsuits.

I know of several people who had a drainage problem and Home Warranty fixed the problem..............at no charge.
Sometimes the devil is in the details.

I met today with contractor who completed grading of lot. Today's meeting was with the supervisor. I had three previous meeting with contractor representative who addresses issues raised by property owner and these meetings did not go well. Today's meeting went well however no resolution reached and he indicated that the ultimate decision whether to address drainage issues rested with Builder.

I tend to believe that May not be entirely true and will continue to pursue.

Me too. And usually it isn't an expensive fix. A little grading, a French drain and some new sod. They do it in their sleep down here. Easy Peasy.

I've known homeowners who got things fixed by the builder -- sometimes nice and easy, sometimes a long, drawn-out process with bad feelings on at least the homeowner's side. I've known homeowners who never got their drainage issues resolved -- some gave up and paid to have French drains installed themselves. It isn't always easy to get things done even when the repairs are obvious and "easy peasy", especially when it comes to landscaping/ground/irrigation issues.