Cindy
Edmond,#2Consumer Suggestion
Fri, November 11, 2005
I filed my complaint on a builder in OK in about 2000 or 2001, Fuller Homes, aka Richard Fuller Homes, on this site. In the last 5 years I've certainly learned what a joke construction accountability is nationwide, but particularly in states like OK that don't license builders, and don't even make builder complaints public information. Despite the fact that it's very hard for consumers to properly research a builder under those conditions, or hold one accountable for bad work, the home builders associations in OK have pushed for new laws that will make it even harder for us homeowners to do anything about it. For the last 3 years they've tried to get this legislation passed, even promoting it as consumer protection! I think this year they called it the Homeowner Protection Act or something warm and fuzzy sounding. Thankfully it was vetoed but our politicians mostly voted for it, so we can't assume it won't ever pass here. I will never buy a house in OK again. There is no way to know if a house that's already built is really built right. There is no assurance by state laws, enforcement of laws, or enforcement of building codes, to make me think the house is done right. There are too many defects, as I found out, that can be covered up and are not even observable by a home inspector. To anyone building a new house in OK be sure you learn how to properly build a home yourself, so you can look at a builder's homes under construction and see if they're doing things right. Then watch your house like a hawk. Don't agree to an arbitration clause, and make sure a good laywer draws up your contracts so you're protected. Most builders won't agree to a contract that protects anyone but themselves. If problems arise you have less consumer protection than if you were buying a toaster, so you have to do everything you can to make sure there ARE no defects, before you close. When I started having problems in my case, I got help by internet networking just like people at this site are doing. One site that also helped was HADD.com It's disgusting that when I paid for professional legal help I mostly got nothing...but the information that helped me settle my case and move on with my life came from people who were not paid a dime for giving their very good advice...i.e. consumer advocates.