Originally Posted by B-Line

Hayaku,

Just so you know, your not alone..

I also live in So-Cal as you know. I purchased a brand new house two years ago and am the first occupant.

- Since moving in, my white oak hardwood floors with ebony stain have buckled in certain areas with no accounting for why other than the house still settling.

- to make matters worse, some of my roof is actually a balcony. What this means is, in certain areas I have flat roof. This past winter the rains did their damage on me as well. I had leaks in the house, big spots or rather lines on the ceilings as a result of water damage that leaked in.

My downstairs room which is a shale like marble actually looked wet in many areas. As if water was coming up from underneath it. And there is a smell of mildew.

I have not spoken with any contractors yet regarding repairs, I just haven't had the time but am going to address it next week.

So, here is the simple/long answer that I would advise you. I am very unhappy about the problems and would love to sue the builder but at the end of the day, you can't squeeze blood from a stone. Even if you were to win, good luck collecting a judgment. The heartache and pain you will go through with lawyers, the courts, etc. will only give you an ulcer. And even if you are one of the lucky ones that actually wins a case like this, what will it cost you in emotional harm?

Be fortunate that the value of homes here in SOCAL is booming and the value of your home has maybe doubled in the last two years. Pay for the repairs and move on..

- also, your contractor is not absouletely wrong. The amount of rain we had this year was ridicilous..... It was a 500 year winter if you know what I mean. I hope I can head my own advice when I get an estimate next week. I might have to rip up part of my foundation and my balconies.
But even if that does happen, the contractor who sold me my house is on the losing side. He sold me the house at COST. and in the past two years, it has paid for itself.
So even if I should have to shell out BIG BIG bucks for repairs, I am still on the positive side of the equation.

I know this is not the info you would like to hear and also having been through two corporate law suits in the last decade.. I can tell you this, the only people who win are the attorney's.

good luck.
B