Jim Walter Homes takes advantage of folks who just want a sound place to live at an affordable price. Signed contract (containing deadly arbitration clause) in July, construction commenced in November.
JWH does not pay their subs, so, after 2 weeks and no pay day, each one walks off the job, while your under construction home sits, vulnerable to the weather. House was framed, sheathed, decking on roof, ridge vent hole cut in roof, when rains set in in January. Because sub floor was improperly installed, and roof decking was improperly installed, after two major rain storms in two weeks, house held water like a bath tub. Result, everything warped.
Serious confrontation with builder resulted in some warped panels being removed/replaced. Builder's remedy was to do a complete "floor over" They covered the wet/warped subfloor with plywood. Same thing with roof. I complained the entire time, their big trick is to keep changing management so you never have a chain of command to complain to. They forced me to accept "tender" of the house in April.
We proceeded with the interior painting, floor coverings, and trims. Front door wasn't square, large lumps appeared under vinyl flooring, rain came in around exterior doors. Exterior siding not properly installed, unlevel. You name it, its WRONG. Throughout the process, complaints were met with the response "its within tolerances".
Finally, after another complete turnover in management, they addressed my flooring issues by completely removing sub floor in two bedrooms, kitchen and dining room, and master bath. At the point my entire master bathroom floor had been removed, the door taken off, and you could see the bare ground beneath, the repair sub was fired when he demanded his pay. I had my commode sitting in the middle of my bedroom floor!
I am presently living in 1985 square feet, half of which is bare plywood floor.
Here's the kicker.in that HUGE packet of papers you signed when you agreed to build your house is an arbitration clause. This takes away your right to sue Jim Walter Homes for their dirty tricks. The arbitration clause came about courtesy of the builders' lobby with the Texas legislature.
While I have a lawsuit going, we are about to enter our second hearing to determine whether we will be forced to arbitration. Beware. Also contained in your contract is the arbitrator, picked by Jim Walter Homes, who will decide your case if you have a complaint. Let me see, you can't sue, and if you complain, you are bound to proceed to arbitration by THEIR arbitrator.
ALL Texas building contracts now contain a mandatory arbitration clause. Your ONLY defense is to thoroughly research your builder and know what you're getting BEFORE you sign that contract.
RUN, don't walk away from that Jim Walter sales office. The details I have revealed here are only a fraction of the defects in my house. Whatever you do, warn everyone you know to stay away from Jim Walter Homes
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