Run4thebrdr
el paso,#2Author of original report
Tue, January 17, 2012
This is the what I am talking about. Even though I, the customer, who paid a whole lot of money for this house and landscaping (through Padilla Homes), have all the physical proof of Padilla Homes' wrongdoing, It seems I am to blame. Go back and read my previous posts. There are NO required engineer's plans for the retaining wall, there are no permits for the retaining wall, and the lead City Inspector came to my house and inspected the retaining wall himself. He stated that it was built wrong, and there were no plans or permits filed with the city, both of which ARE REQUIRED! I already proved that the yard was (and still is, 4 years later) graded correctly. Your argument was that my dog had dug a hole, 6 inches deep and 2 feet across, and caused the failure of the retaining wall. You then went on to claim that a wave crashed through my yard, miraculously missing both my neighbors' yards and pushed my wall out. The Better Business Bureau is not infallible, they too were dishonest in the arbitration, and I dealt with them already. Just because Mr. Padilla does not answer the charges from the BBB does not make his company right. Thw entire situation reeked of corruption and payoffs. Mr. Padilla didn't even care to send his best employee, not even a good one, because he knew that no matter how bulletproof my case was, and how much proof I had, he didn't have to worry because he had it in his "pocket". It's people like you who make consumers miserable. Take your hit, last time I checked freedom of speech was still protected under the Constitution of the United States, and no lies will take that right away from me. My attorney has advised me that my opinion is protected by law, so under his advisement, this has been my opinion. After being threatened with a lawsuit by Padilla Homes for pursuing my case, I will take my attorney's advice.
honesty advocate
el paso,#3UPDATE Employee
Tue, January 17, 2012
Regarding the rock wall ... this person agreed to "binding" arbitration through the Better Business Bureau. The ruling went against him ... his appeal of the decision failed as well. The wall was inspected by the City and the indenpendent arbitrator.
At no time was it said that the wall was built incorrectly or that there were code violations. The judgement, based on the inspection, stated that the problems were caused by the changes in the drainage pattern of the yard during the homeowner's landscaping.
Interested parties should contact the BBB and read their findings.
Del Pueblo Press
El Paso,#4Consumer Comment
Sat, July 26, 2008
Hi, I was sorry to hear about your situation with padilla homes in El Paso. I was curious, what was the name of the contractor who finally did a good job on your wall? I think they deserve some credit, a company coming through and doing what they said they'd do, in apparent stark contrast to Padilla Homes. One thing the burns me up are businesses that treat their clients disrespectfully. I see there are other complaints about PADILLA HOMES. Buying a home should be a positive experience, they make enough money doing so. I think part of the problem is that they use unskilled laborers to make repairs. I have a company, and things don't always go perfect, but one thing you always try to do is treat your clients professionally, and admit when you're wrong and try to correct the problem. Sometimes money is tight, when client's checks bounce, when they are late in arriving, or when a client flat out doesn't pay, which leaves the company in a jam to pay its other bills. But that is no reason to take it out on other clients, which he apparently did with you. Just read your piece and was really disgusted by the behavior of PADILLA HOMES and wanted to let you know we wish you the best. -- Reyes Mata III, owner of Del Pueblo Press, in El Paso Texas.
Run4thebrdr
el paso,#5Author of original report
Sun, July 20, 2008
I got the retaining wall fixed. My wife and I had to refinance the house and use the extra money to hire a contractor to fix the wall. I did everything right. I hired a respectable contractor and applied for a permit. The city inspectors were familiar with my address and required a design signed and stamped by an engineer. This is because I had visited the city office and they grew concerned because they knew of the wrong-doing and were covering for one of their co-workers (at least that is what I think). That signature cost me $1000. After all was said and done, I was $17,000 poorer. The contractor did a good job, but it was an expense I did not need. Oh! Oh! Oh! and I almost forgot! Padilla threatened to SUE US!!! He said that if we tried to take him to court he would sue us for harrasment!! Our lawyer said it would be cheaper just to suck it up. I just paid for the wall, fixed all the stuff wrong in this crappy house and curse his family name. What else can I do at this point? Something I can be happy about is that there is a nearby house that he built. I love the house. It has a great view, super modern amenities, and has been sitting empty for TWO YEARS! I love it! He is paying on the loan while it sits empty. I won't be surprised to see it burn down for the insurance money. You can see his website at www.padillahomes.com what a great builder!!
Run4thebrdr
el paso,#6Author of original report
Fri, February 15, 2008
The real reason I wanted to write this report is the issue with the rock retaining wall. I tried to warn Mr. Padilla that I thought something was wrong with the wall the first time I reported it. I thought that since I was not an expert in construction and he was, I would tell him where I saw cracks in the wall and that I thought the wall may be failing. I tried working it out with him but had to resort to using the BBB. During the BBB debacle, he blamed everything from the landscaper building the grade the wrong way (not true, the grade is correct), me watering the grass too much, a flood, and my dog digging a hole too close to the wall. He did concede that the wall was not designed by an engineer, as required by city code. He did offer to fix the wall by adding a "special cement" to the crack. He also offered to add dirt to the imagined negative grade in my yard. I just can't believe I have to shell out so much money to repair and essentially rebuild something I paid Mr. Padilla to build. I feel cheated.