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I Can't believe What My Builder Did!

By Karin Lundeen

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands

January 18, 2012 12:57 AM

Last week my furnace went out and we had to call to get it repaired. Now my house was built in November of 2000 so we would expect that things are going to start to need to be repaired. I'm sure the water heater will go out soon. Actually, I'm surprised that didn't break down when we had company over the holidays.

Anyway... I said my house was built new in 2000, and we have been the only owners. So the repairs are minor. The igniter was out and he happened to have a used part in his truck which was cheaper and he could fix it right away.

As he looked at the furnace he asked "When was your house built?". My husband answered, "It was built in November of 2000, why?". "Well, look here at this sticker. It says the furnace is a 1993 furnace". OK, Not Cool! Our furnace is almost 20 years old! How can a builder do that? Does that happen? Did they put in a used furnace? Or did this new furnace sit around for 7 years and they thought it was a good idea to stick it in our house instead of a new one? "I know we could put in a new furnace, but this really sweet one from 1993 will be awesome!"

I need to put in a call to my good friend, the warranty guy...

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Chuck Carstensen

RE/MAX Results - Elk River, MN

Minnesota/Wisconsin Real Estate Expert

That is pretty poor if they put in an old furnace....it could have been a sub contractor doing that.

Jan 18, 2012 12:59 AM

Peter den Boer

Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA

MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

Another reason home inspectors should be used, even with new homes! Good luck!

Jan 18, 2012 12:59 AM

Coral Gundlach

Compass - Arlington, VA

Real Lives. Not Just Real Estate.

Ulgh, that is so disheartening. Your builder is padding his bottom line, dishonestly, by using old equipment. You should call him out on it. Threaten to blog publicly about it unless he makes it right. Is the builder still in business?

Jan 18, 2012 01:00 AM

Kathy Sheehan

Bay Equity, LLC 770-634-4021 - Atlanta, GA

Senior Loan Officer

I would love to hear that builder's explanation, if they are still in business.

Jan 18, 2012 01:00 AM

Karin Lundeen

Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands - Centennial, CO

Realtor Centennial Homes For Sale

Hi Chuck, I'm going to do my best to figure out who did it!

Peter, We did not have a home inspection done when we bought... my bad!

Yes, Coral, this builder is still in business and it is one of the big ones!

Kathy, I'll be sure to blog about it when I have an answer!

Jan 18, 2012 01:03 AM

Barbara Todaro

Keller Williams Elite - Franklin, MA

"connecting land with builders"

Good morning, Karin.... wow.... I'd be jumping all over that one....I doubt if it's used..... you builder got a deal on a furnace that was over stocked.....

Jan 18, 2012 01:04 AM

Charlie Dresen

The Group, Inc - Steamboat Springs, CO

Steamboat Springs, CO e-Pro

Man 'o man, that's not right. I'd find out if he's still in business and if so contact him about replacing the furnace or find himself the subject matter of some not so favorable social media blitzing. My guess is he's out of business and rightly so. Good luck on this one...go get 'em if he's still around!

Jan 18, 2012 01:11 AM

Dan Hopper

Dan Hopper - Gold Way RE - Westminster, CO

Colorado Broker / Referral Services

There is not doubt that you always use a property inspector, even with NEW construction! We always have the property inspector do their inspection at the time of the "punch list" with the builder rep and the buyer present, as well. Get it done, right... up front.

Jan 18, 2012 01:12 AM

Karin Lundeen

Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands - Centennial, CO

Realtor Centennial Homes For Sale

Hey Barbara- I'm definitely ON IT!!!

Charlie- Yep, HE is in business and it is not just a HE. It is THEY, and a big, well known THEY that are still in business and building all over the place!

H Dan- Lesson learned! This was pre- Real Estate career for me so we trusted the builder!!!

Jan 18, 2012 01:21 AM

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Denver, CO

Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Karin, WOW, not good! I have heard some HVAC companies make use of materials they have hand! Sorry to hear!

Jan 18, 2012 02:32 AM

Karin Lundeen

Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands - Centennial, CO

Realtor Centennial Homes For Sale

Hi Joan~ Thanks for the sympathies... i'm going to attempt to have them make it right!

Jan 18, 2012 02:40 AM

William Feela

WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN

Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I can see minor repairs at 12 years but Water heaters and furnaces should last longer than that. Both of mine right now are over 20 years each.

The furnace saying it is from 1993 is a bit disturbing. good luck in getting that credit.

Jan 18, 2012 05:27 AM

Will Hamm

Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO

"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wow Karin, I can not believe this, let us know how you make out with the builder and the warranty guy. Now you have me wondering who the builder is.

Jan 18, 2012 06:50 AM

Karin Lundeen

Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands - Centennial, CO

Realtor Centennial Homes For Sale

William ~ I sure hope they last 20 years, but I don't think they make things like they used to! I guess we'll see!

Hi Will ~ I'm sure I will share the builder at some point. I want to give them a chance to "make it right"!!!

Jan 18, 2012 07:39 AM

Donna Foerster

HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO

Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Karin~ I've never heard of such a thing! We bought our house, new construction, in 2006. We hired an inspector that did 2 inspections, one prior to drywall and once again after everything was done and before closing. Most buyers would never think to do that, but maybe an inspector would have caught that.

Jan 18, 2012 09:30 AM

Karin Lundeen

Keller Williams Realty - Denver Southlands - Centennial, CO

Realtor Centennial Homes For Sale

I think you are right, Donna! We didn't have an inspection done, so I learned an example to be able to share with buyers of why it is a good idea!

Jan 18, 2012 09:41 AM

Sherry Scales

Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Leander, TX

Realtor, for Austin, TX and surrounding areas

Before you get on the builder, they use subcontractors for HVAC and plumbing work. That blame should fall on them, but the builder may need to look for a new subcontractor...if they haven't already done so.

Jan 18, 2012 03:00 PM

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

Wow, after this many years, I don't think there would be a way to check to see if it was used when it it was put in, but I'm sure a lawyer would love to talk to you.