PulteGroup, one of the nation’s leading homebuilders, has faced several notable construction defect complaints and legal settlements over the years. Here are some significant examples:
Sun City Grand, Arizona (2012)
In 2012, PulteGroup’s Del Webb Communities was reportedly ordered to pay nearly $13.6 million to 460 homeowners in Sun City Grand, a retirement community in Surprise, Arizona. The homeowners had initiated the lawsuit in 2006, alleging poor construction quality. The settlement included $7.9 million in damages and $5.7 million in court and legal costs. builderonline.com
Florida Stucco Defects Settlement (2019)
In 2019, following an investigation by the Florida Attorney General’s Office, PulteGroup reportedly agreed to a multimillion-dollar settlement addressing construction defects in its Florida homes. Homeowners had complained about issues such as cracks in stucco applied to wood frames, stucco delamination, and improper installation of weep screed. As part of the settlement, Pulte paid $4.7 million in restitution to cover out-of-pocket expenses incurred by affected homeowners and committed to repairing homes that met specific criteria. myfloridalegal.com
Related News
In a 2019 report by KTNV, residents of the Bellano community in Henderson, Nevada, built by Pulte Homes, voiced numerous construction-related concerns. Homeowners cited issues such as subpar finish work, exposed wood on roofs, and improperly installed door frames. Despite moving in months prior, many were still awaiting repairs. Pulte Homes acknowledged the concerns and stated their commitment to addressing warranty requests. ktnv.com
On December 10, 2021, WFTV reported that homeowners in Ocoee, Florida, are expressing frustration over unresolved drainage issues in their Pulte Homes properties. Residents have experienced flooding that reaches their sliding glass doors during rainfall. Despite documenting the problems, they claim that Pulte has delayed necessary repairs. In response, Pulte attempted to address the issue by digging a swale between homes to divert water, but homeowners report that this solution has led to additional problems, such as creating swamp-like conditions and limiting access to parts of their yards. The Crown Point Cove homeowners association indicates that nearly all of its 45 homes are affected by these drainage defects. Pulte Homes has reportedly acknowledged past issues with warranty repairs and stated plans to improve customer care. wftv.com
These cases highlight the importance of thorough inspections and due diligence when purchasing homes from large builders, as even prominent companies can encounter significant construction quality issues.
Note: The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf were not involved in these matters.
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