UGH! I'm just so mad...(vent)

[zwieback]

So, in the past couple of weeks I've had to shell out $1000 for AC repairs and a new dishwasher (I had posted some questions and comments regarding this on a couple of other threads -- thank you to everyone who gave their advice and opinions. It's greatly appreciated). Now, the carpeting in the upstairs of my house is bubbling/wrinkling (I asked about this in another thread and vented in yet another). I waited all week for someone to call me back. I got a call yesterday saying that someone will call me today. I get a call today from the guy and he tells me that I'll have to pay for the restretching. It's a 3 year old house and the carpeting upstairs is really bad. I can't walk but a foot or two without it having a big bubble in the carpeting. The guy keeps telling me that there is no way of knowing why it's doing that, even though from my research online I know it's due primarily to installer error. He kept telling me it could be because the builder didn't have the house warm or cool enough when the carpeting was installed (again, is that my fault your workers didn't let the carpeting acclimate to the house before installing it?). He said there was nothing he could do and if they restretch it, I'll have to pay for it. I told him that I would hope that I could at least get a discount. We'll have to see he says. I told him I wanted someone from his company to come out and see how bad it is so, he'll have someone call me on Monday. Gee, thanks. :mad:

So, I'm going to have to fork over more money on a 3 year old house. I'm just so mad that I could spit and I'm so upset that I could cry right now. This after a blah Mother's Day -- didn't do anything or really get anything because we spent so much on the AC and dishwasher. The dishwasher ended up being my MD present. I know that with being a homeowner comes a lot of costs and repairs and such but, this house is only 3 years old and right now, I'm sooooo tired of getting house repairs/improvements for gifts (birthday, christmas, MD, etc). Doesn't anyone stand by their work anymore? After a year, you're crap out of luck and that's when all the crap starts happening, it seems like. Ugh. :(

Sorry for the long vent. I just had to get it out of my system and vent to someone because DH would probably just get upset with me for being so mad about this. "That's what happens when you're a homeowner" he'd say. That's true but, I'm still mad and upset!

Thanks for listening and, if anyone else feels a need to vent about anything and/or have a pity party feel free. This thread is now open for business. :)

[boisewinesnob]

zweibeck, you have every right to be furious about this. I don't really have any advice but I totally agree that a 3-year-old house should not have stuff falling apart already. Sheesh!

I remember your rant from my own vent thread ;)
Sometimes it just feels good to b!tch and moan about stuff, even if it doesn't accomplish anything.

We are in the process of buying a new house (well, not new....built in 1990) and it needs a few minor things done, but it also needs the roof replaced in 3 years or less. We are getting a 5k credit at closing for that though.

[Gumbeaux]

What did the builder say about this? I would see if it could be done under warranty and if not maybe the carpet layers that the builder uses could do it cheaper since the builder gives them a ton of business each year. Also if your house is that new there are probably others being built in the area by that builder and he could have some of those installers swing by and do it cheaper.

[Vanessa]

Sorry you are going through all this. You have every right to feel frustrated and angry. The house is 3 yrs old so did you buy it from the builder or from previous owner. The question is because in this market many sellers give you a 1 yr warranty etc. If you bought the house from the builder they will not after 3 yrs fix a carpet. We build our house and moved in April this yr. I honestly went throgh a roller coaster of emotions and calkls frustration and tears and did get most of the stuff fixed before that yr. Although the builder said they would be back they have not. The warranty service guy was here Oct 31st never saw him again. We also had an issue with the carpet and the guy (carpet) was subcontracted He stretched the carpet and insisted a transition wood piece was needed. That was what we said from day one. After MUCH nagging we got it. Before the carpet guy left he explained to me that the builder hires the fllor carpet co they hired him and he gave the co a 1 yr warranty. I was glad he was so honest with me.
In our older house we had a greatt co do carpet and when we redid upstairs I asked the crew if they could fix some "bubbles" near the edge and they did since they were already there doing carpet installation.
I saw the guy use this roller little gadget that "smooth" out the lump in the basement.
About the heat in the house the builder warranty guy blamed everything on darn humidity. One day I almost lost it.
Maybe you could hire on the side one of the carpet guys to fix the carpet?
Once they start giving excuses they are not going to fix things.
It is really frustrating how a new house has problems you have every right to be upset. And a 3 yr old house is new & you should not have to be spending that kind on repair $.

[zwieback]

We're the 2nd owners of the house. The first owners were in it 6 months. And, I have called the builder on numerous occassions -- last year it was a window leaking. The only thing I ever get from them is that it is no longer under the builder warranty. Of course not. Fortunately, I fixed the window leak myself. Believe it or not, the upstairs window that was right above the leaking window was not caulked. A few bucks and a few minutes later, the window was fixed by me! That incident upset me too, mainly because I got the name of the window contractor from the builder (just as they gave me the AC and carpet guys) and the guy NEVER called me back. Here, I have water pouring into my dining room when it rained and the guy doesn't call me back. I feel like I'm getting the same run-a-round with the carpeting guys -- someone will call you this week, so and so will call you tomorrow, another so and so will call on Monday. I can't wait until Monday when the guy tells me he'll call later on in the week to let me know when he'll call to say he's coming out. :rolleyes: Ugh.

It just makes me mad and frustrated and wish I knew how to fix all of these things myself. Thanks again for listening and for the advice. And, boisewinesnob, it does feel good to be able to b!tch and moan about things. Another reason for a huge thanks to all on this BB. I know it won't accomplish anything but, it feels good in the end. :) :p

[BarbaraL]

Sorry you're going through this. You might consider contacting the Better Business Bureau and/or any relevant professional organizations and file a report (or, call the contractors again and tell them that if you don't hear back from them in x days, you will file a report on them).

[Melman]

One suggestion is to see if your power company possibly offers an appliance repair service. For $25 a month, ALL the major appliances in my house are covered with only a $10 cost out of my pocket for any repair. If an appliance is broken beyond repair, they cover a portion of the replacement. My service is called Protec. I'm pretty sure they're in areas other than just the southeast.

I see it as a form of insurance. It's been worth every penny. No, this kind of coverage will not do you any good at all for things like your windows or carpet, but it would have covered the dishwasher and the air conditioner. By the way, do not mix this type of coverage with American Home Shield. I had a home warranty agreement with them for several years. They were incredibly expensive and evidently had contacts with every loser in the area. They were HORRIBLE!!! I would never give a recommendation on that company.

Good luck! I understand how frustrating this is!!!!

Edited to say that I searched the web and only found Protec Services in this area. If it's in other places, I definitely didn't find a link to it. Regardless, this service is offered by my power company. It may be worth checking into to see if something similar is offered wherever you live.

[LakeMartinGal]

I certainly understand your frustration! I agree with the BBB recommendation -- the builder is not making any friends with that attitude. If the carpet is buckling, the installer should repair it for free -- especially if he wants any new/referral business!

Good luck with all this -- I think appliances/repairs absolutely s*ck as gifts! But, Happy Father's Day -- his can be the carpet repair... ;) :rolleyes: :p

[zwieback]

Good luck with all this -- I think appliances/repairs absolutely s*ck as gifts! But, Happy Father's Day -- his can be the carpet repair... ;) :rolleyes: :p

No, DH's Father's Day gift is the 4-ton coil that had to be replaced in the AC. Shhh, don't tell. ;) :p The carpet will be our anniversary present -- wait, DH's birthday comes first... :p

I think these things s*ck as gifts, too. I must admit that most of the time I'm the one who says, "we've spent enough or too much money lately, just consider this or that as my_____ gift." So, it is mainly my doing. But, this time DH said it and for some reason it really hurt. I think I was having a pity party for myself because a few friends had recently told me of the really nice gifts their DH's got for them -- one for finishing her 1st year of grad school and the other for graduating from college. Okay, I guess I've sulked long enough about this whole thing. Thanks for all of the advice and for listening. :)

[mbrogier]

I think I'd be documenting all the trouble with your practically brand new house. I'd be making a complaint with the BBB. It might not do anything, but people looking for builders would see it.

I completely understand the appliances as "gifts" because money is tight with unforseen repairs. I hope it ends for you soon.