Answers

Unfortunately, most new homes (particularly those built by developers) are built with little regard to quality and durability, by less-technically-savvy tradesmen at the lowest price point possible to appeal to a prospective buyer's sense of value. 

Should you be concerned?  Most of these sorts of issues are not conditions potentially leading to structural failure but rather finish failures and just generally less-than-desirable quality.

There are many industry specification references for quality, and likely your builder references a spec which is more forgiving of such issues.  For instance, a spec for drywall might say "out of level or line x inches in x feet" or simply "imperfections not visible under normal lighting conditions when viewed from x feet away".  You may want to research which specification may have been referred-to as quality guaranty when the home was sold.

Of course, this is a generalization and does not apply to all new construction.  One would want to engage a building professional to determine what may be happening in the particulars of your home.

To help you I need to ask a few questions:

1. Do you have a good contract?

2. Does the contract state in writing start time?

3. Do you think you have paid money to the contractor more than the work completed?

4. Does your state require a licence?

5. Is the contractor a friend of your?

Hello Katrina, sorry to hear about your experience thus far. Regarding cutting your losses and hiring someone else, all states are different, but a contract cancellation clause should have been outlined in the contractor's contract / scope of work. If it was not spelled out in your contract, you might want to contact the licensing board in your state for additional information. Next step would be contacting an attorney.

A heating system is best  to keep the home warm and comfortable during the winter.

Sometimes the weather can have more of an impact on your home than you know. Therefore, it is important to prepare your home for the winter season. For your central heat, call a heating system maintenance service NJ professional to come clean and inspect your furnace. Be sure to remove any flammable material away from any type of heater. Check your home for any cracks or crevices on the outside of your home and seal them properly. You will also need to check your pipes on the outside and inside.

One of the best things you can do to prepare your home for the winter is to be sure that your heating system is in proper working order. We encourage our clients to have annual or bi-annual heating inspections before winter begins. This allows any repairs or upgrades to be complete before the first cold night of the year.

Thank you for your inquiry.  See our website link: http://www.owingsbrothers.com/winterizing-your-home/

Is the home completed?

Mark I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your contractor.  I certainly wouldn't understand all of your situation, but I'll try to offer some general advise.

First and foremost you should try to resolve any disputes with your contractor directly.  (I assume you may have already taken this step)  Sometimes it is best to think about listing the reasons for your concerns out in written form and what resolutions you would like.  While you shouldn't expect everything to end up perfectly, knowing what you are looking for is a good start and as a contractor it gives them a place to start working toward a resolution with you.

Second you should work with CCB for your state to resolve your dispute if the first step does not work out.  The CCB is an independent party and will work in the best interest of both parties to try to find a mutually agreeable resolution to the concerns.  Knowing the reasons for your dispute and the resolutions you are seeking will help both the CCB and your contractor in working with you towards a resolution.

Third, if you are unsuccessful in those endeavors you can explore further action based upon the contract you and your contractor signed at the oustet of your project.

Again, I'm sorry to hear of your situation and wish you the best of luck in finding a resolution.

From time to time, we get called to evaluate problems with homes, To answer your direct question, "No it's not as unusual as you must think." There are reasons as Christen and Paula have mentioned above, but I also meet home owners who would rather not have the hassle of cleaning backed up gutters, or having to replace them when damaged. There are several reasons for gutters, but in most cases gutters and downspouts simply direct water away from the foundation, and if your surface drainage is adequate they become more of an option.

Yes I think the builder should have been thoughtful enough to metion it to you. As a home owner you rely on professionals like us to guide you through those things and allow you to make knowledgable decisions. I would question them about it, but they are not necessarily wrong for having omitted them, unless they are mentioned in your contract.