Should I be concerned about build quality here in AZ? (houses, neighborhood)

[ComposerRyan]

Hey everyone, so my house here in San Tan Valley, AZ has a window in the laundry room that appears to be skewed to the right (see attached picture.) The house was built here in San Tan Valley in 2005.

Does anyone know why would the window be crooked like this? Should I be concerned about the build quality of my home and could this worsen even more over time?

Thanks for your help!

[JGMotorsport64]

Are there other signs of foundation problems? Drywall cracks, sticking doors, sloping floors?

I’d seal the window and make some marks to see if there’s any active movement. Some of the soils around the metro can lead to minor foundation problems, but all houses settle. My house is over 50 and you can see evidence of settling in the past but nothing active. I once owned a house that had severe foundation problems that were active and worsening with time. It’s just something you have to contend with.

If there is no other signs and it’s not active, I wouldn’t worry about it.

[KurtAZ]

STV was mostly built up during the housing boom in 2004-2006. There were some stories of sinkholes and shifting foundations out there. Like JGMotorsport64 said...I would keep an eye on it. Most homes were built with post-tensioned slabs but they can still shift. At the speed with which those houses were going up, I wouldn't rule out just shoddy workmanship though either.

[DetroitN8V]

Yes. It's a house in BFE built during the boom. Of course you can't expect the highest quality construction.

[April Twine]

Would agree with the shoddy workmanship statement. While investigating places to retire, was educated to the fact that one geographic area of a nearby state had home builds of differing quality. Purchasers who were "in" were sold properties of correct proportions within a certain cluster. Outsiders were offered new builds in different sections, where issues with foundations, cheaper material use and labor construction shortcuts were utilized. They all looked the same. Hope this isn't the case with you.

[ComposerRyan]

Thanks for the help. I don't think I see any other evidence of foundation problems (no unusual cracks, etc) and the home inspector who inspected my house a couple months ago didn't even mention any issues at all (but then again, he could have been a bad home inspector which I don't believe was the case.)

My bro is also considering moving into this neighborhood as well and the house across the street appears to have the exact same issue where the laundry room on the second floor appears to be uneven. Would you recommend my bro stay away from this neighborhood completely or am I worried over nothing?

[MN-Born-n-Raised]

Originally Posted by ComposerRyan

Thanks for the help. I don't think I see any other evidence of foundation problems (no unusual cracks, etc) and the home inspector who inspected my house a couple months ago didn't even mention any issues at all (but then again, he could have been a bad home inspector which I don't believe was the case.)

My bro is also considering moving into this neighborhood as well and the house across the street appears to have the exact same issue where the laundry room on the second floor appears to be uneven. Would you recommend my bro stay away from this neighborhood completely or am I worried over nothing?

Maybe the same window installer worked on both homes. He could of had a kink in his neck making the window look straight.

I'd hire a framer and see what they think. It's a little strange..

[Elna Rae]

Originally Posted by MN-Born-n-Raised

Maybe the same window installer worked on both homes. He could of had a kink in his neck making the window look straight.

Apparently the installer measured once and cut twice.