Has anyone else had problems with New Leaf homes in San Antonio? (Uvalde: 2013)

[kpd2016]

We purchased a New Leaf home and have had some major issues and I was wondering if anyone else has had issues with their New Leaf home? If so, what was done (if anything) to solve those issues?

Also, does anyone know if you can place a complaint on a builder that does not obtain city permits because they are outside of city limits - perhaps with the State of Texas licensing department?

Any guidance or information as to what others have done would be greatly appreciated!

[juststart]

What's the name of community? We went to San Antonio for house hunting about a month ago. We looked at some houses that New Leaf built and also saw a community that the company is building with their reps. Hmm...

[TrapperL]

You didn't provide much of information that has any value for any help.
Are you the original buyer?
What is the issue(s) you are having?
When did you close on the house?
Are you doing the required maintenance which also includes keeping the foundation watered?
Do you have pics of the issues?

If you'll answer ALL of the above, I can probably head you in a direction. I've been in the industry over 50 years and have loads of experience in methodology and consumer issues.

[AlamoHomesSA]

I'd believe if they did not obtain city permits your complaint would be with the city first, and then from there they can send you up the "chain of command."

[TrapperL]

I'd believe if they did not obtain city permits your complaint would be with the city first, and then from there they can send you up the "chain of command."

If you had a clue what you're talking about you would know that The City of San Antonio does not require permits in Uvalde, Hondo, Pleasanton or any other place OUTSIDE of the City limits. Any builder can build in the County and not have to worry about permits which is why most chose to build outside of SA. Sometimes a City inspection can take over a week waiting for the inspector costing the builder money as interest builds on the interim financing. It can mean several hundred bucks on just one house, one inspection. Imagine the cost if you're building 500 houses a year with the issue. Then you have not just a frame inspection but all of the rough inspections, top out inspections, HVAC rough, electrical rough, and then all of the finish out inspections. Any delays due to the City not being able to get an inspector to the jobsite can run into the thousands for a builder. Since you seem to want to display yourself as a builder with your screen name, you would probably want to know or should know that any construction in the State of Texas MUST meet IRC Code requirements. The last update was 2013. Most all of the builders will either use an outside inspection agency like Bureau Veritas or others or possibly even an engineer to do the basic inspections which covers them on any claims of wrongful construction. Many have gone to engineered slabs which are inspected by the engineering firm and have gone to engineered component framing which means a complete idiot can build the house that has zero experience provided he can read pictures. The Masters License for the other trades covers their part of the build.

Since the OP did not respond to the questions I posed, this is more than likely a person who managed to screw up their own home due to negligence on their part and expects the builder to cover their stupidity in perpetuity. If it's one thing I've learned in this business over the last 50 years is that Joe Public hasn't a clue how to maintain a house or what is expected of them. It's not a car, the day you move in the maintenance begins be it watering the foundation, NOT putting flower beds up against the foundation, planting trees far too close to the foundation, not changing filters, flushing diapers, etc., the list I've seen is endless. Unfortunately, I will admit this is a builder problem and is their own fault. Far too many of the first time homeowners haven't got a clue what it takes to own a home. The builder should be orientating these folks. One such builder, Ryland Homes, had a such a program. Nobody bothered to show up for the classes. So it's a lose/lose situation. In my opinion, all first time home buyers should be required to take classes on how to take care of a home and what will be covered and not covered under any warranty, or they can't get the loan. The Mortgage companies are in the best position to require the classes but they aren't going to do anymore than necessary to help the buyers. All they want is the money.

[flashfearless]

If I was building a house and I saw builder didn't file for permits, I wouldn't settle. That simple.