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  • Report:  #158655

Complaint Review: Jim Walter Homes - Tulsa Oklahoma

Reported By:
- Preston, Oklahoma,
Submitted:
Updated:

Jim Walter Homes
Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A.
Web:
N/A
Tell us has your experience with this business or person been good? What's this?
Here is an open letter that I sent to the PRESIDENT, Mr. Charles Cauthen, Jim Walter Industries today:

Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 9:51 AM

Subject: LIES (?), FRAUD(?), UNFULFILLED PROMISES(!) of work on our JW HOME

Dear Mr. Cauthen,

Please be advised that we have been deceived regarding our Jim Walter Home. We've been told (by your employees) that the JW Company is trying hard to establish a better reputation -- I can see why! This whole process has been a disappointment. To begin with, we were 'shown one thing, and sold another'. Then came the 'Shoddy Workmanship', and now the 'Incomplete Work'.

I have spoken to: Dottie Leeds; Teresa Bateman, Dale Cowan, Damen Beasley, (just to name a few) -- and feel I have received false promises, of getting our House completed.

Just to name a few of the things on our list... Our Insulation in the Attic is not complete; Our Exhaust Venting in the Attic is not complete (dumping moisture into our attic); Our Kitchen Floor, 3/8" Over-layment and my NEW Linoleum is MOLDING (we've been sick since the first part of August as we are highly allergic to MOLD); There is a hole cut in the Master Bathroom wall due to Plumbing Leak;

We were told that we MUST sign off on this house when Mr. Cowan came out on July 31, 2005, and "That they would be back to finish it the following Monday". They didn't show up for two more weeks, fixed the front porch rail and haven't been back - IT'S NOT FINISHED YET!

Now, we are getting notices that our payment will start OCT 5, 2005 -- When our CONTRACT clearly states that our payment will start 45 days after completion. We were not told they were going to start our Payments when we signed the papers Mr. Cowan brought out. Just that "They needed these papers signed off".

Mr. Beasley was here on September 8, 2005 to familiarize himself with the situation and stated that he would get these issues finished, replaced, and repaired. However, I didn't hear from anyone until September 19 -- when three men (Paul) showed up at my back door claiming to be from JW and that they were here to "make a list of materials" so they "could go get a PO" and be back the next day to make the necessary repairs (September 20) -- AS OF TODAY I have not so much as had a PHONE CALL from Jim Walter Ind. I have left messages on Mr. Beasley's phone - but he hasn't called back.

I've talked to the Mortgage person (Chris) and he states while it is unfortunate that we were LIED TO about the house getting finished, he can't abide by the Contract and start our payments 45 days after they get the house completed. It is unfortunate that Mr. Dale Cowan was also lied to, in that they sent him to have the paperwork signed by us, with false promises of making the necessary completion effort. He is a very nice man. In fact, most of the employees have been nice (I just can't get any work out of them!! Or phone calls returned!!).

Listed below are the issues I can think of off the top of my head that need immediate attention:

1. Exposed nails on Roof need Tar.

2. Back Porch removed (and rebuilt).

3. Siding replaced on East Wall around Back Porch.

4. Exterior Caulking.

5. Replace, Repair, MOLDED Flooring, Linoleum, 3/4" Sub-flooring, 3/8" Over-layment,

(SOON the Cabinets will be molding /separating due to water damage and have to be replaced.)

6. Exhaust Vents in both Bathrooms need to be vented to the outside.

7. Missing Insulation added to the Attic (Installer tore Insulation in half instead of finishing the job that

we paid EXTRA for.)

8. Repair hole in bathroom wall (cut by Plumber when he repaired leak #4) Three of which we had to

repair ourselves.

9. Large sinking, dip in the middle of Kitchen Floor.

10. Contract Completion (45 Days) Issue resolved.

I would also hope that your company would take a second look at the shoddy job the Roofer did on our house. They got the 'Felt Paper' wrinkled up under the 'Shingles' and it left very visible, large wrinkles (bubbles) in the appearance of the shingles. Also on the East side of the Roof, the shingles were ran very crooked on one side (they got the run off) very noticeable.

I'm assuming that Dottie Leeds knows of the MOLD problem because she sent me a Pamphlet regarding Mold this week. However, that hasn't helped our allergic reactions we're having, to the on going MOLD problem. Or the mounting medical expense of treating the allergies. As I am disabled and don't need any more medical problems.

Dottie was helpful early on it getting some other issues resolved - so I'm hoping that she is still working on our behalf to get these issues resolved. As well as her assistant "Bonnie" who has been helpful and followed up on these issues with me. NOW if they could just get the workers out here to do their part! And the Mortgage Company to adjust this payment DUE DATE after they are through.

I have attached Photos of three (3) of the listed problems. I have Video of the Insulation in the Attic (as well as almost the complete attempted building process) Should you need to review them.

Please call us or email us with your reply. Time is of the essence.

Sincerely,

Judith

CB

Judith

Preston, Oklahoma
U.S.A.

Click here to read other Rip Off Reports on Jim Walter Homes


5 Updates & Rebuttals

Judith

Preston,
Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
UPDATE on Tulsa Home

#2Consumer Comment

Wed, September 28, 2005

Thanks Lori for the words of encouragement. Both my husband and I have been in the Construction Business most of our lives and already know of the problems with the workmanship etc... You can't imagine what we prevented(!!!) by being knowledgable to the situation. I'm writing to inform all that this afternoon I got a call from the District Manager (?) Brian Lowry stating he'd have my local people get in touch with me this week and "Get it done". Will Post again when/if this becomes reality. I'd like to offer all the email address to the President -- It seems to help to go straight to the TOP! Charles Cauthen, President: [email protected] MAYBE you can get some action there too. Customer Service is Dottie Leeds: [email protected] GIVE IT A TRY!


Judith

Preston,
Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
UPDATE on Tulsa Home

#3Consumer Comment

Wed, September 28, 2005

Thanks Lori for the words of encouragement. Both my husband and I have been in the Construction Business most of our lives and already know of the problems with the workmanship etc... You can't imagine what we prevented(!!!) by being knowledgable to the situation. I'm writing to inform all that this afternoon I got a call from the District Manager (?) Brian Lowry stating he'd have my local people get in touch with me this week and "Get it done". Will Post again when/if this becomes reality. I'd like to offer all the email address to the President -- It seems to help to go straight to the TOP! Charles Cauthen, President: [email protected] MAYBE you can get some action there too. Customer Service is Dottie Leeds: [email protected] GIVE IT A TRY!


Judith

Preston,
Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
UPDATE on Tulsa Home

#4Consumer Comment

Wed, September 28, 2005

Thanks Lori for the words of encouragement. Both my husband and I have been in the Construction Business most of our lives and already know of the problems with the workmanship etc... You can't imagine what we prevented(!!!) by being knowledgable to the situation. I'm writing to inform all that this afternoon I got a call from the District Manager (?) Brian Lowry stating he'd have my local people get in touch with me this week and "Get it done". Will Post again when/if this becomes reality. I'd like to offer all the email address to the President -- It seems to help to go straight to the TOP! Charles Cauthen, President: [email protected] MAYBE you can get some action there too. Customer Service is Dottie Leeds: [email protected] GIVE IT A TRY!


Judith

Preston,
Oklahoma,
U.S.A.
UPDATE on Tulsa Home

#5Consumer Comment

Wed, September 28, 2005

Thanks Lori for the words of encouragement. Both my husband and I have been in the Construction Business most of our lives and already know of the problems with the workmanship etc... You can't imagine what we prevented(!!!) by being knowledgable to the situation. I'm writing to inform all that this afternoon I got a call from the District Manager (?) Brian Lowry stating he'd have my local people get in touch with me this week and "Get it done". Will Post again when/if this becomes reality. I'd like to offer all the email address to the President -- It seems to help to go straight to the TOP! Charles Cauthen, President: [email protected] MAYBE you can get some action there too. Customer Service is Dottie Leeds: [email protected] GIVE IT A TRY!


Lori

Kalkaska,
Michigan,
U.S.A.
Wonderful Letter Judith

#6Consumer Comment

Wed, September 28, 2005

You are on the right track in trying to get your situation resolved. If I may, I have a couple of suggestions that may help in your documantation process: Contact an independant roofing contractor to look at your home. Tell them that you need to know if the roof as it is will cause problems in the future, and have them give you a bid as to what needs to be done and the cost of doing it. Advise the company of your findings and be ready to provide them with a copy of that bid. Contact a reputable independant builder/contractor. You need to 'discover' the cause of the problems ie: the floors and porch. Since the mold may be a result of the leak being improperly repaired, and the large dip in the kitchen floor may be a structural issue, it's important that you document this and again, let the company know that you've done so. Insulation. Check your contract for exactly what you paid for. Contact an independant contractor to verify that your insulation was skimped on. GET IT IN WRITING!!! If your contract indicates r-38 (example) and you have r-23, this is FRAUD! You're on your way, and have taken a lot of the right steps. Don't back down! File a complaint with HADD (Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings), which can be found online at www.hadd.com , and contact your state lawmakers in regards to WHY we need more protection laws for home purchasers. I've been here, and am just now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm one of the lucky ones. I currently have a ripoffreport filed on Fortune Homes, which I will be updating as soon as repairs have been made to my satisfaction. I've been told that all of the issues I have are going to be repaired, so reading my report may give you a little hope for resolution in your case. It can be done! Good Luck!

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