Wayside Lawn Structures

We learned a valuable lesson on the meaning of the phrase "caveat emptor". The nutshell version: Wayside sold us a prebuilt cabin that would not meet code in our jurisdiction (Hampshire County, WV). The deal fell through over their failure to meet the local code & permit requirements, and they cheated us out of 25% of our deposit after a year of putzing around.

They **knew** that their cabins were not certified to the residential building code, that they had no engineering drawings and that these cabins were only suitable as "recreational structures" in jurisdictions where this exemption from the building code exists. And yet, knowing our property was in Hampshire County where the IBC is fully enforced, no matter the use or size of the structure (our cabin order was for under 400 sf), and that "if you sleep in it, the building must meet code) was the interpretation of the local planning official.

OK, so Wayside may not have known about Hampshire County, but it's by far not the only WV jurisdiction that enforces the codes in this manner. They should have either known this, or made the sale contingent upon planning approval.

As the contractor, they share responsibility for adhering to all local laws and codes. They cannot simply "drop off" the cabin (which had to be partly constructed on site) and expect not to have to deal with permits, codes and laws. Not the least of which, the requirement to be a WV licensed contractor.

So Wayside took our $6000 deposit, then sat and putzed for six months while we pestered them for a delivery date. When we discovered, upon talking to the planning official, that full code compliance was required, Wayside agreed to do whatever it took to satisfy those requirements. This included hiring an engineer to draft and stamp drawings, and filling out and submitting the permit and inspection applications. We wanted to cancel the order, but they insisted they could make it work, and would do so at their expense.

After a year, we gave them a deadline: get it done and give us a firm delivery date or let us cancel the order with a full refund. They failed to properly apply for the permits and inspection, so we were stuck with the planning official refusing to grant the permit, or even start the review process. We canceled the order, expecting a full refund.

Wayside reneged on their promise to absorb the engineering costs, even though this is a business development cost for them, given that they can now claim to have certified drawings for their cabin. After much back-and-forth negotiation, we were forced to settle for a 75% refund. We payed nearly $2000 for the privilege of being frustrated with these people for two years. And we have **NOTHING** to show for it. They even refused to give us the drawings that we had, essentially, paid for.

The point to this story? Research your local codes BEFORE doing business with Wayside, and if your cabin is not code-exempt, buy from someone else.