Boise Hunter Homes

In response to Mr [redacted] concerns, we did Hire a 3rd party engineer to evaluate his concrete; per Mr [redacted] concerns, we had the engineer focus on two major areas, the foundation and the flatwork around his home The engineer did a complete inspection of the exterior foundation and specific locations of concern within the foundationThey found “minor hairline cracks in the foundation wall that originated off of the corners of crawl space vents without evidence of settlement.” It was recommended to seal these cracks with an epoxy to eliminate any water penetration These cracks are standard shrinkage cracks that do not have any structural effect to the homeWe did follow up and have these sealed per the recommendation The second point of focus was on the flatwork of the homeWe had the engineer inspect all flatwork around the home for any failing concrete; the engineer did not find any concerns on the North or East patios or the front patio or walkway All these areas have been coated with an epoxy surface due to the clients concern of blanket marks from building the home in cold weatherThis was an aesthetic concern and not structural but we made an expensive concession for the client and agreed to coat all these areas for themWe later removed the driveway for the same aesthetic concern and re-poured it to accommodate the client The engineer noted two cracks in the driveway and areas where the expansion cuts have chipped Photos are attached: The engineer's conclusion was that there was a section of the control joints that where not cut to 1/of slab depth, that a couple pieces of expansion could be added, and the cracks could be sealed to help eliminate the possibility of water penetration All of these items are NON structural and cosmetic concerns by the owner Boise Hunter Homes would have completed the crack sealing, added expansion, and cut the few expansion joints deeper The client has made it completely clear that they want the driveway removed and re-poured for a second time; so the repairs recommended by the engineer were not an option We have decided that we will not removed the driveway that currently meets all National Homebuilding standards and the International Residential Code The buyer has contracted a concrete company on their own to have the driveway removed even though that was not the recommendation made by the engineer

Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because it does nothing to take any responsibility for the issues that were caused by Boise Hunter Homes contractorsI understand the unwillingness for Boise Hunter Homes to pay for an upgraded driveway materialI do not accept, or understand, their unwillingness to provide an alternative after waiting and trying to communicate with them for over monthsNo compensation has been offered, upgraded driveway surface or notI have an estimate from the same company I hired, for an exact replacement of the driveway surface that had issuesThis estimate was for $I certainly hope there is no dispute that the driveway had issues, as outlined in the Engineers report that Boise Hunter Homes obtained at their discretionSince no attempt was made to remedy the issue with a lessor fix, I propose Boise Hunter Homes pay this exact replacement estimate amount ($7800)Not one time has Boise Hunter Homes made a proposal to pay anything, or provide a remedy of any kindI would be happy to provide the months of emails and a letter to their office to try to agree to a remedyThey did not disagree, they did not respond at allMaybe the expectation was we wait a year without response before we moved forward to fix our cracking and crumbling driveway?

Complaint: [redacted] I am rejecting this response because:Boise Hunter Homes never made an offer to seal the cracks in our concrete or cut additional expansion joints to remedy what the Engineer, they hired, clearly stated as issues We waited over months for a resolution to this matter, after waiting months for an Engineer to inspect the concrete, which was based on a timeline we had already waited several months to get from the builder This discussion started in the Fall of 2016, with an initial data to inspect in March 2017, and here we are in August After at months of waiting and repeated attempts to get any communication from Boise Hunter Homes through several different communication paths, we did move forward on our own and replace our driveway We also pointed out more cracks and issues between the inspection and when the driveway was replaced We absolutely suggested that the driveway be replaced after getting the report from the Engineer stated several different issues, but we did not at any point say we would accept nothing less The last communication we received from Boise Hunter Homes was an email to meet and talk about a resolution on 6/1/ After that they ignore all of our requests (by email, letter, and phone) to discuss a resolution and not once offered up what they felt the resolution should be To the point of no other concrete around our home having issues, we did make the mistake of letting Boise Hunter Homes coat the remaining concrete with epoxy This was not to cover up blanket marks as the response stated, it was to cover up additional cracking and breaking apart of the concrete Big mistake on our part, but we did agree to this and will have to deal with the remaining issues down the road

There was no mathematical calculation done as it was not necessary to determine that there was "inadequate ventilation".
It was clearly obvious as there was only one out of vents in the attic and there was a plethora of mold in our dry arid desert environment of Southern Idaho
I have continued to provide adequate information proving that the vents were not installed properly on the original house upon completion of construction. There were only 1/vents functioning (please refer to previously attached documents from the restoration company). This was on a sq foot house. The fact that there was only one vent in the attic also proves that there what no cross ventilation in the attic which will lead to poor ventilation and "chocking" and subsequently mold
Again, this is all information that was provided in the documentation of the mold issue
Also, your company has the original house plans and you are able to do the mathematical calculations according to your blue prints to determine if one vent is adequate.
Complaint: ***I am rejecting this response because:Sincerely,*** ***

Hello,
We are taking our final stance on this item You are correct in the fact that we do have the plans and we also have the Certificate of Occupancy for this home; that being said, once again, that is obtained through city and state inspections (ventilation being one of them) We have provided these codes in past communications.
You brought this up to us after the fact and sent up a report with no specific calculations and the assumption that the decorative gable vents were intended to generate air flow followed by a request for a $check Unfortunately because we were not involved in this at all other than receiving your request for money and that the home did pass all plan reviews and inspections we will not be fulfilling your request for $1300.
Thank You,
David P***

I have reviewed The IRC (International Residential Code) that applied during the construction of your homeThe section that sets the guideline for venting attic space is laid out in R(Roofing-ceiling construction-Roof venting): It reads; “The total net free ventilation area shall not be less
than 1/of the area of the ventilated space when using soffit/rafter venting only.” This is the manor that your home is vented. During the city inspections this is inspected during framing and final inspection; of which, your home PASSED both inspections. Your home is built to meet these criterial with soffit venting only. The decorative gable vent is just that, decorative; it was not intended/required to supply any type of venting to the attic spaceOur guidelines and check and balances are the building code and the building officials; we have passed all inspections on your home and that it was built per code.All this being said; you closed on your home on February in 2008, we offered a year warranty on your home, this means that your home has been out of warranty for little over years. We were not included in determining any aspect of the inspection results or repairs, we met code and passed inspections, and your home is over years beyond our year warranty; we are going to deny your request

Boise Hunter Homes does not agree to pay for the removal of a driveway that was still in complete workable orderThe owner made their own decision to have to driveway removed and re-pouredThis was not recommended from the engineer or our company The other issue is the owner has also had an upgraded material placed I have attached pictures of custom colored and stamped concrete for the driveway and walkway.Boise Hunter Homes did not agree to replace the driveway or pay for the replacement of the drivewayIt was not necessary, it was at the owners discretion

In response to Mr. [redacted] concerns, we did Hire a 3rd party engineer to evaluate his concrete; per Mr. [redacted] concerns, we had the engineer focus on two major areas, the foundation and the flatwork around his home.  The engineer did a complete inspection of the exterior foundation and...

specific locations of concern within the foundation. They found “minor hairline cracks in the foundation wall that originated off of the corners of crawl space vents without evidence of settlement.” It was recommended to seal these cracks with an epoxy to eliminate any water penetration.  These cracks are standard shrinkage cracks that do not have any structural effect to the home. We did follow up and have these sealed per the recommendation.  The second point of focus was on the flatwork of the home. We had the engineer inspect all flatwork around the home for any failing concrete; the engineer did not find any concerns on the North or East patios or the front patio or walkway.  All these areas have been coated with an epoxy surface due to the clients concern of blanket marks from building the home in cold weather. This was an aesthetic concern and not structural but we made an expensive concession for the client and agreed to coat all these areas for them. We later removed the driveway for the same aesthetic concern and re-poured it to accommodate the client.  The engineer noted two cracks in the driveway and areas where the expansion cuts have chipped.  Photos are attached:  The engineer's conclusion was that there was a section of the control joints that where not cut to 1/4 of slab depth, that a couple pieces of expansion could be added, and the cracks could be sealed to help eliminate the possibility of water penetration.  All of these items are NON structural and cosmetic concerns by the owner.  Boise Hunter Homes would have completed the crack sealing, added expansion, and cut the few expansion joints deeper.  The client has made it completely clear that they want the driveway removed and re-poured for a second time; so the repairs recommended by the engineer were not an option.  We have decided that we will not removed the driveway that currently meets all National Homebuilding standards and the International Residential Code.  The buyer has contracted a concrete company on their own to have the driveway removed even though that was not the recommendation made by the engineer.

Complaint: [redacted]
 
I am rejecting this response because:Boise Hunter Homes never made an offer to seal the cracks in our concrete or cut additional expansion joints to remedy what the Engineer, they hired, clearly stated as issues.  We waited over 2 months for a resolution to this matter, after waiting 3 months for an Engineer to inspect the concrete, which was based on a timeline we had already waited several months to get from the builder.  This discussion started in the Fall of 2016, with an initial data to inspect in March 2017, and here we are in August.  After at 6 months of waiting and repeated attempts to get any communication from Boise Hunter Homes through several different communication paths, we did move forward on our own and replace our driveway.  We also pointed out more cracks and issues between the inspection and when the driveway was replaced.  We absolutely suggested that the driveway be replaced after getting the report from the Engineer stated several different issues, but we did not at any point say we would accept nothing less.  The last communication we received from Boise Hunter Homes was an email to meet and talk about a resolution on 6/1/2017.  After that they ignore all of our requests (by email, letter, and phone) to discuss a resolution and not once offered up what they felt the resolution should be.  To the point of no other concrete around our home having issues, we did make the mistake of letting Boise Hunter Homes coat the remaining concrete with epoxy.  This was not to cover up blanket marks as the response stated, it was to cover up additional cracking and breaking apart of the concrete.  Big mistake on our part, but we did agree to this and will have to deal with the remaining issues down the road.

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because it does nothing to take any responsibility for the issues that were caused by Boise Hunter Homes contractors. I understand the unwillingness for Boise Hunter Homes to pay for an upgraded driveway material. I do not accept, or understand, their unwillingness to provide an alternative after waiting and trying to communicate with them for over 3 months. No compensation has been offered, upgraded driveway surface or not. I have an estimate from the same company I hired, for an exact replacement of the driveway surface that had issues. This estimate was for $7800. I certainly hope there is no dispute that the driveway had issues, as outlined in the Engineers report that Boise Hunter Homes obtained at their discretion. Since no attempt was made to remedy the issue with a lessor fix, I propose Boise Hunter Homes pay this exact replacement estimate amount ($7800). Not one time has Boise Hunter Homes made a proposal to pay anything, or provide a remedy of any kind. I would be happy to provide the months of emails and a letter to their office to try to agree to a remedy. They did not disagree, they did not respond at all. Maybe the expectation was we wait a year without response before we moved forward to fix our cracking and crumbling driveway?

Complaint: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because:  I discussed the coding for attic ventilation with Boise Hunter Homes (BHH) previously.  The issue was that the vents that were installed which BHH refers to as meeting code, were not installed properly.  The two vent covers were put in and visible under the roof overhand from the exterior but the board/wood leading to the attic space behind the vent was not cut out or removed behind the vent on two of the installed vents.  This was not visible unless you were inside the attic.  I provided interior and exterior photos of this as well as a written explanation from the mold removal specialist and also saw the boards cut and removed first hand.  Had those vents been installed properly then yes, it would have met code.  Therefore, regardless of the perceived necessity of the gable vent the other vents were not installed properly thereby causing the excessive humidity and mold build up.Sincerely,[redacted]