Over the past few years, the Lowcountry has seen a surge in the construction of new homes, with tens of thousands of them being built. However, a growing number of homeowners are expressing their dissatisfaction with these new homes due to various issues they are facing.
According to recent data, Charleston and Berkeley Counties are among the top 0.5 percent of the fastest-growing counties in the country. While local municipal building inspectors have given the green light to these new homes, a private inspector claims to have discovered numerous code violations. Despite the inspections, it appears that some builders may not be following proper building codes and regulations.
For the past few months, Live 5 has featured numerous stories about dissatisfied homeowners and their builders. As a result of these stories, we have received an overwhelming number of complaints from people facing similar situations, albeit with different companies. Interestingly, all of these complaints revolve around new home constructions, suggesting a common underlying issue.
For decades, Bob Knowles has been inspecting homes as a private inspector and engineer.
As he inspected one of the recently constructed homes, which he had been hired to examine, he walked through the property and pointed out a number of code violations that he had discovered.
In most of the new home builds, a common violation that is being found is the lack of proper protection under the roof.
According to Knowles, adding a second layer underneath shingles can be a challenging task. He explains that if a roof has only one layer, and you want to add another layer of underlayment, the entire roof would need to be ripped off and then re-installed, with the additional layer of underlayment.
According to Knowles, the issue of improper ventilation is a common problem that he observes in nearly every house he inspects.
Knowles has reported that one of the major problems he has come across in newer constructions is the presence of walls that are not even.
According to Knowles, the South Carolina Residential Construction Standards permit a maximum deviation of one quarter inch from level or plane in a wall for every 32-inch measurement.
During the tour, Knowles pointed out walls that had a significant deviation. According to him, this issue is prevalent in almost every stairway of new home builds. Additionally, he observed a similar problem with uneven floors.
According to Knowles, there is a standard of practice that home inspectors adhere to, which has been adopted by South Carolina. He explains that inspectors have a basic checklist of items they are required to examine, as well as a more extensive list of items that are not mandatory to inspect.
According to Knowles, home inspectors are not required to deal with technical aspects of building such as code compliance or verifying that systems and materials are installed according to manufacturer’s instructions. The responsibility falls on the builder to follow instructions and install accordingly, but they often fail to do so. Home inspectors are not expected to know what the instructions are.
In essence, homebuyers have to rely on the builder to fulfill their obligations.
According to Knowles, it is the builder’s responsibility to ensure that the house is built in compliance with the building codes. He emphasizes that relying solely on the building department is not a guarantee that the house is built to code.
Lynn Dowd found herself in a predicament where she had already received approval from the county inspector for her new house, but she still had reservations about certain aspects of the construction. It was at this point that she decided to seek the services of Knowles. Upon inspection, Knowles found over 70 violations in her home, validating Dowd’s concerns.
Dowd expresses her concerns about the reliability of her home’s foundation, piling, concrete, and beams. She questions whether she can trust any of it, especially after discovering that there are more structural issues than just cosmetic ones.
Diane Fezza is among the few home builders who have been highly responsive to their clients’ needs.
Fezza discovered three holes in the pipe caused by the cabinet installation. Rather than screwing into the stud, the installer hit the pipe, causing water to drip down the wall and under the floor. Despite the builder’s frequent problems, Fezza is satisfied with their attentive response.
However, not everyone is experiencing the same level of success.
According to Amiee Sherrock, a new homeowner, the company is unresponsive. She compares the experience to pulling teeth, saying it’s a challenge to get them to reply, whether you’re within the warranty period or not. Based on her personal experience, she had to reach out to them multiple times, and it was necessary to figure out who had authority just to receive a response to a simple request.
If you are planning to purchase or construct a new home, here is what they suggest:
According to Sherrock, it’s essential to conduct thorough research before purchasing a house. She advises against being swayed by the appearance of a beautiful house. Instead, one should focus on scrutinizing the actual structure of the property. It’s easy to overlook installation issues when a house is visually appealing, but they could cause significant problems later on. Therefore, it’s crucial to dig deep and pay close attention to the home’s structure before making a final decision.
Dowd encourages anyone who is facing such a situation to take action and not accept it as the norm. He emphasizes that there are laws and regulations in place, as well as licensing boards that hold builders accountable. To ensure your safety, you can file a complaint with the LLR of South Carolina or opt for a private inspection. Protecting yourself is key, and there are various options available to you.
Knowles hopes that his findings will serve as a message to home inspectors not just in the Lowcountry, but all over the world. He is uncovering a variety of problems and wants to raise awareness about them.
Knowles emphasizes the importance of building departments working on behalf of homeowners. He believes that these departments are responsible for protecting individuals from purchasing homes that are not up to code, which could be potentially dangerous. The codes put in place ensure that buildings are safe, and by disregarding them, the safety of a home is compromised. Therefore, it is crucial to follow these codes to ensure the safety of those living in the house.
If you are currently facing this problem, you have the option to file a complaint with the South Carolina Labor Licensing Regulation by clicking here.
To request an inspection, simply reach out to Knowles via email by clicking here.
The National Association of Homeowners, founded by Knowles, boasts a team of inspectors, engineers, realtors, and certified industry experts ready to answer any questions you may have about home construction, engineering, repair, maintenance, and the home buying and selling process.
