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/