We entered into a contract with the Florence, South Carolina office of America's Home Place in February. During the discussions of the house design, we specifically requested that the heating/cooling vents and associated hardware be located underneath the house. However, when the actually built the vents were put in the ceiling and the ductwork and other hardware in the attic. When we requested that it be redone to our original specifications, we were informed that it would result in a considerable extra expense to us. We also objected to the design of the ductwork as being inefficient, but we were essentially informed that we did not know what we were talking about. There were a number of other problems, but the answers from America's Home Place always followed one or more of three basic responses: 1. We did not understand what was going on and how a house was constructed; 2. It would cost a lot more money and would probably involve our having to pay a late penalty; and/or 3. It would be addressed during the warranty period. The latter excuse faded after the house was completed, and was replaced with assertions that they would either fix everything or that nothing needed fixing.
America's Home Place (AHP) was aware of a serious medical problem that Kimette was dealing with and that required frequent trips to the Medical University of South Carolina and Emory University in Atlanta, GA. It appeared as if AHP was taking advantage of the distraction and put the work on our house behind other houses started after ours, including one in the same neighborhood. AHP did not supervise its workers, so that a great deal of work was performed unsatisfactorily. Every question and meeting with AHP was put off and the house was turned over to us to finish before AHP had finished its part. Specifically, the drywall was put in poorly, and the worker did not clean up or put down a tarp so that Robert had to spend days cleaning off the subfloors (Kimette was unable to assist). All of this caused serious problems with our being able to finish on time, although we did manage. Our hard work was to no avail since AHP picked the inspector who would appraise the house. He left the inspection on his desk for two weeks and we had to pay almost two thousand dollars in late fees, even though we had actually finished our part of the house.
Despite frequent requests, most of our concerns were never addressed and at the end of the one-year warranty period, we seemed fated to living with the problems or fixing them ourselves. Specifically, we had repeatedly complained of an extreme temperature differential within the house and that the cooling unit was generally inadequate for our needs. Again, we were assured that everything was fine and met all of the contractual requirements. Some repairs were promised but not made.
A few months after we moved in we complained of an infestation of ants, spiders, and other bugs. We were informed that the house had been treated as required by law and that any other problems were ours to deal with. We had a termite inspector come out to examine the house and he informed us that the house had not been treated. When confronted with this, America's Home Place finally admitted that the house had not been treated. The excuse was that a former worker had been signing off on houses that had not actually been treated. Our question was, if this had already been known, why had not there been a response to our requests? Eventually, AHP did have the house treated, but only after many complaints and threats.
After almost three years, the ceiling in a hall closet collapsed. It was quickly determined that the cooling system was leaking, soaking the insulation and drywall until it caved in under the weight. We called a heating and cooling company to get a repair estimate, but when they arrived, they told us that the entire system was not built to the required building codes. We then contacted the Darlington County Building Codes Enforcement office and an inspector came out to examine the house. He actually found multiple code violations beyond just the design and installation of the cooling system. There hadn't been a required walkway and work platform installed in the attic. The bay window in the house was completely unsupported, also against code, and which has already resulted in some dipping of the floor in that area. Even after being informed of these and other problems, it still took about two months, lots of time and effort, and threats from the building inspector before AHP finally (three years late) brought up to building codes.
Even this process proved expensive and frustrating. There were numerous times when we were told that workers would be coming to the house, but they would not show up or call to say that they were not coming. Thankfully, Kimette was working on her Masters degree, and could arrange her schedule to stay at home when needed. However, she needed to go to the university library to complete her research and these no-shows dramatically delayed work on her thesis. There were also several occasions when workers damaged property and they always left messes that we had to clean up. There was never any mention from AHP about compensation for any of this. When we asked for compensation we were told that we "should have given them a chance to make things right"! Like we hadn't?! So far they have claimed that they intend to repair everything, including the shoddy workmanship, but they want us to provide proof of all of our damages and losses and don't seem to think that they have done anything wrong since they have at least brought the house up to code (but only after they were forced to). I have no great hope that we will actually get much else out of them, even though we have been left with a house that isn't worth as much as we owe.
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