Repairs

Here are all the items that Robert from Prieb promised us that he would fix during our Orientation walk-through. All are supposed to be fixed by 60 days after we close (which would be April 26). We'll track them here to keep tabs. They are broken down by room/area in the house. This does not include minor paint/trim touch-ups, which were marked in virtually every room. Those should be done by our closing date.

19 May 2004 Update: many of these items were done either at our 3 month or 11 month warranty work times, rather than within the 60 days promised.

The last item on the list (window well replacement) was finally completed 7/29/04 (re-sodded two weeks later). Both Mike Waters ("personal builder") and Robert Byrd ("customer service") are no longer with Prieb. Once Dean got involved, he was much better at communicating the progress. Still, it took them 22 months to fix from the time it was first reported.

Two pieces of advice to anyone else building a new house; a walk-through is great to itemize anything you think needs fixing. But (1) don't trust post-it notes -- our experience, and that of several others I've spoken with, was that many were removed without fixing the item, then we had no record of it -- make sure everything beyond simple paint touch up is written down and both you and the builder get a copy. And (2) don't agree to the builder's terms for repair time -- ours was sixty days after close, and ended up taking 15 months longer than that -- insist that you will not close until all the important items are corrected. A neighbor of ours played this hardball tactic and it worked great, their close was delayed by two days but their home was virtually perfect when they moved in.

Kitchen Upper cabinet door left of stove has scratch [11 month warranty fix] Pantry shelves missing Clean out disposal Paint on various cabinets Lazy Suzan cabinet scrapes on opening Hole in ceiling and in wall from painters' tarp (fixed it ourselves) Remove range hood Breakfast Nook Adjust back door (won't lock) [3 month warranty fix] Hole in window frame vinyl, center window at bottom [3 month warranty fix] Utility Room ok 1/2 Bath ok Great Room Install gas valve trim ring Entry/Hall Spot clean carpet @ steps and floor Fix squeak at landing Possible scratch on window in stairwell [3 month warranty fix] Dining Room Adjust switch plate so it's straight (Rod fixed this) Basement Carpet steps Sweep floor Replace furnace filter Label summer/winter settings on second floor trunk line Need owners packet for water heater Pressure relief valve on water heater leaking Install cover on backflow Light pilot at water heater Complete phone and cable in basement Replace basement window screen Sister 2x's on split joists in sump area [added more at 11 month warranty fix] Garage Clean garage Install steps Inside Misc. Install screens Check all windows for possible adjustments Clean mud & paint off all window frames

Master Bedroom Replace broken window Complete trim on left window Master Bath Screw closet rods Buff vanity top Adjust vanity doors on left side [11 month warranty fix] Cover hole under light fixture 1st Bedroom ok 2nd Bedroom Clean window Correct paint color (Sheila and Rod had to do this themselves) 3rd Bedroom Closet shelf supports missing Install attic access panel Hall Bath Clean shower inset (caulk, overspray) Install curtain rod Sand and repaint top of one cabinet door [11 month warranty fix] Outside Misc. Clean and adjust door thresholds Final grade Sod Landscape [elected to do this ourselves someday] Splashblocks Sump Discharge Clean foundation Touch up caulk & paint including foundation Repair / replace front door weather stripping at bottom Fill & touch up garage jambs and foundation Fill & touch up front entry Add 1x6 @ bottom of bay window and fix nail pops Add 1x6 @ top of bay window Replace siphon cap on front sillcock Caulk utilities Seal bottom of cantilever Adjust sump discharge to grade Check for loose soffit brace nails Trim and cap drain tile @ window well Window well pulled off house [finally completed by builder 7/29/04] Remove debris from 1x/flashing close to egress window Touch up scratch on west side of garage