Question:
Just wanted to find out other people’s opinion on this… I built a Ryland home last year, with a basement, and ever since one of my basement windows has been leaking when it rains or melts snow. After 5 visits/attempts from the builder and basement contractor, they still have not fixed the leak. It’s worse now than ever. I have not been able to finish the basement like this. I found out that the basement window frame was put in backwards(the other one is in correctly but the basement contractor told me at first that he did not know of any differences in the two windows). Now, they tell me they have to saw my basement wall out, pour new concrete, and correctly install a frame and window. I would like to know if it is time to get a lawyer on this ordeal. My Ryland year’s warranty is up next month and I am afraid that there might be other impacts from having to saw the window frame out of the concrete. Any opinions? Thanks, Garn
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Just wanted to find out other people’s opinion on this… >I built a Ryland home last year, with a basement, and ever since one of >my basement windows has been leaking when it rains or melts snow. After >5 visits/attempts from the builder and basement contractor, they still >have not fixed the leak. It’s worse now than ever. I have not been >able to finish the basement like this. >I found out that the basement window frame was put in backwards(the >other one is in correctly but the basement contractor told me at first >that he did not know of any differences in the two windows). Now, they >tell me they have to saw my basement wall out, pour new concrete, and >correctly install a frame and window. >I would like to know if it is time to get a lawyer on this ordeal. My >Ryland year’s warranty is up next month and I am afraid that there might >be other impacts from having to saw the window frame out of the >concrete. Any opinions? >Thanks, Garn
I’ve never installed a basement window, but I’ve framed over quite a few so I might have a vague idea of the situation. (I’m assuming it’s either one of those typical 16×32 or so basement windows, or something equally small.) First of all, having your builder back 5 times is not all bad… at least he came back 5 times. Also you’ve given no indication that he’s ready to leave you hanging, so that’s good news too. Plus, after all of this, it seems that a plausible solution to the problem has been determined. The window itself does very little structurally. You could chop/saw/hack it right out and nothing will be worse for wear. I’m fairly certain that anyone reasonably capable of installing one in the first place could probably make a successful repair. I think you ought to let them go ahead with the repair. As far as your warranty running out, (tactfully) express this concern to your builder. Tell him that you would like to know that he is committed to solving this problem once and for all even if the warranty runs out. You are willing to be patient but you don’t want to be left to fend for yourself after such-n-such a date. If he’s a reasonable and honest man he will certainly agree to such a thing. As far as a lawyer, contacting one at this point under these circumstances may do more harm than good. Try to work it out between the two of you before bringing in third parties. Try really hard. Good luck, – Joe Barta
If you like this post and would like to receive updates from this blog, please subscribe our feed.