Repairs needed for newly-built Pulte home, forces family into temporary housing for months

A New Home Turns into a Nightmare

On moving into their newly-built dream home in San Antonio in April 2023, the Booker family soon realised they were facing a construction disaster. Within weeks of moving in, it became clear that problems in the house far exceeded any glitches typically discovered in a blue-tape walk-through.

“This has been really hard. We’re not even a year in,” reported Laci Booker, the homeowner. The outward appearance belied disturbing inner issues. “You walk in and you’re greeted by studs, and drywall cut out,” explained a distraught Booker.

Problems Arising Soon After Moving In

The family’s nightmare began when they first noticed the home’s walls were not straight, which caused difficulties in opening and closing doors. Upon requesting the PulteGroup’s warranty team to inspect the house, extensive repair work was deemed necessary, transforming the newly-built home into a hazardous construction site.

This repair work necessitated the removal of significant amount of drywall, thus exposing beams throughout the house – a grim spectacle for any homeowner. “The more work that they’ve done, the more issues that they’ve found,” said Booker.

Exile to Temporary Housing

The gravity of the situation forced PulteGroup to ask the Booker family to shift to a temporary accommodation, promising to undertake the extensive repair work in their absence. They were told that within three weeks, the issues would be addressed, allowing them to move back into their home. Both sides agreed on initiating the work after the winter holidays.

Unending Repairs

Frustration continues as months later, the house is yet to be fixed completely and the family remains displaced. “My beautiful kitchen is ripped apart and covered in dust. My wonderful living room where my family used to hangout has turned into a construction zone,” said a distressed Booker.

Unsafe Living Conditions Identified

Growing distrustful of PulteGroup’s efforts, the family employed a veteran home inspector. The inspector’s report highlighted nearly 80 deficiencies which included framing, electrical, and safety needs. He warned of potentially more structural issues hidden behind the miles of drywall, which were potentially hazardous for the family.

The inspector also pointed out the home’s lack of proper interior and exterior wall braces which makes the house more vulnerable to wind loads. The evident problems point towards the extensive repair work needed, and as such, the family remains displaced months later.

An Impasse Reached

The family’s patience ultimately fizzled out as the wait for repairs seemed endless. The Bookers, now strapped with a lack of confidence in Pulte and its promises, demanded Pulte to buy back the house. “I want Pulte to take this house back and let me get far, far away from them,” voiced a determined Laci.

This incident serves as a vital reminder highlighting the importance of engaging a third-party home inspector prior to moving into a newly-built home. The price may be steep but the peace of mind and potential savings in terms of repair work is likely to be invaluable.