ComplaintsforD & F Home Builders

• Initial Complaint

  08/08/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Our new home was constructed by D&F Homebuilders in the ******* subdivision and completed in Dec 2021. In March 2022, I contacted the builder and owner, **** *********, about massive spalling on the new driveway. We are unable to agree on the cause of the spalling, responsibility for the damage and corrective action. The builder offered to repair the damage. I requested replacement. I provided the builder with documentation to support my position which he rejected. Since we are unable to agree, I requested the builder's insurance in order to submit a claim against his insurance. I have requested this information three times. He has refused to provide it. Requesting the assistance of the BBB to obtain his information.

  Business response

  08/15/2022

  In March of 2022 I inspected the damaged driveway of *** ********.  Upon my investigation I discovered scaling and chipping on the surface of his driveway.  Both myself and my flatwork subcontractor agreed that it was caused by an ice melt chemical that was placed on the driveway.  Our evidence to support that is the sidewalk, front porch, and back porch have no damage  because the ice melt chemical was not used there, in addition to one of my employee’s witnessing the HOA sub-contractor apply ice melt to the driveway only.   I advised *** ******** at that time to contact the HOA who is in charge of the snow and ice removal.   *** asked that I write a letter explaining the damage and its cause to give to the HOA and their sub-contractor.  I drafted the letter and emailed it to him,  I also spoke to the HOA management company and made them aware of the situation.  A few days later the management company let me know that the damage was in fact caused by the ice melt chemical used on the driveway, there was fine print on the packaging to not use on concrete less than one year old, and that the HOA’s sub-contractor was at fault.   A claim was put into the ice removal sub contractor’s insurance and it was denied.  *** ******** sent me the denial of coverage and requested my insurance information.  I did not give him my insurance information because it wasn’t my company that damaged the driveway, it was a third party that I have no control of.  I also reminded *** that we do not warranty concrete from damage and I sent him the waiver that he had signed acknowledging that we do not warranty concrete.  I have attached that document that *** ******** had signed prior to construction of his home.   His reply was that he knew what he signed and to give me my insurance information.    I did reply a second time and explained that the damage was not caused by my company nor a sub-contractor employed by me, and that his complaint is with the HOA and their subcontractor.  I did offer at that time to repair his driveway free of charge and, gave him the phone number to the sub-contractor that poured the flatwork, to schedule a time for repair.

  
  

  Customer response

  08/17/2022

  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  v>
  I do not accept the builder’s response. The builder blames the HOA snow removal contractor for
  the damage to my driveway. The HOA snow removal contractor says not his fault. I have a damaged
  driveway and no one accepts responsibility. The HOA snow removal contractor’s insurance company
  hired a licensed civil engineer to evaluate the damage . The engineer determined the damage was
  caused by improper finishing operations during installation. That information was furnished to the
  builder. The builder responded with opinions and unsubstantiated statements and refused to provide
  his insurance information. Where is the documentation and statements that support his position? I
  am asking the builder to cooperate and be part of the solution rather than a part of the problem. Let
  the insurance companies determine responsibility and liability for the damage.
  I am aware that the builder does not warrant concrete. However, this is a workmanship issue not a
  warranty issue. Yes, the builder did offer to repair the concrete. However, the concrete is still
  spalling. A one time repair is not a fix as the driveway will require continuous repair as the spalling
  continues. I also note the sidewalk, front porch and back porch were not poured at the same time as
  the driveway and do not have spalling. I can only hypothesize these areas were property finished by
  the builder at the time of installation.
  If the builder refuses to provide his insurance information, I will seek other avenues for resolution. I
  purchased a new driveway. I would like to receive what I paid for.
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ****** ********

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