Cityliving101

>>> UPDATE <<< Tricon bought the house back!!!

By law, you have to go through the TRCC before you can take legal action. We are now waiting to hear back from the TRCC as to them moving forward with the 3rd party inspection. It is a timely process and while we wait, water continues to penetrate our house. We saw on HOBB.org that they have a link to Homeowner Websites. We decided to start a website ourselves. In the meantime, if you are considering buying a Tricon Home, then we want to invite you into ours to see all the problems we have first hand. During your visit, you can see the unfinished condition they left our house in, the inspection report we received after having our house inspected by an independent TREC licensed, ICC certified inspector (non-TRCC), the report we received from the Field Support and Forensics liaison at DuPont Building Innovations Department regarding the Tyvek building envelope, and all communications with Tricon including emails, certified letters, and pictures. Feel free to email me at cityliving101@aol.com if you are interested. In fact, we are thinking of running an open house each weekend, with signs and balloons saying: Tricon HomeOwner Open HouseIf you're considering buying a Tricon Home STOP HERE FIRST!

TRICON has a full page advertisement in the July 2007 issue of INTOWN MAGAZINE. TRICON talks about their building top quality homes, superior construction project management and their selection of topnotch contractors who share their zeal for quality workmanship and customer service. Unfortunately that was not my experience with TRICON HOMES.

No angling or anything to do with the business. You are right when it comes to the word "only", my mistake. There are obviously unethical agents out there. My experience however, has been good using an agent in the buying process. As for FSBO's, how many of them are selling it themselves because they are trying to give a buyer a better deal? Not too many I would imagine. The reason they are selling FSBO is to save 6%, or at least 3%. We sold our last house FSBO. We had realtors beating our door down trying to get the listing. When they couldn't, all asked if we would pay them 3% if they found us a buyer. Fortunately for us, we sold it at market value and saved the full 6%.

As a buyer, you do not pay the commission. The seller is paying the commission, and that is split between the listing and buyers agents. Using an agent can save you a ton of headaches trying to figure out the system. They can lead you to a mortgage company that can establish what you can afford to buy, how much you would need to put down etc. If you happen to see a FSBO that you like, your agent can probably work a deal there as well. They usually can negotiate a percentage from the seller there as well. An agent can only help in the buying process. Where are you buying?

gwilson...Where and when did you hear Tricon was going out of business?

It is a free standing home.

We did more moisture checks since the last hard rain. Old areas are still showing moisture. We have new areas showing up as well. There is moisture in our north wall, south wall, east wall, and west wall. We are devestated! If you own a Tricon home, you may want to seriously consider having an inspection performed by someone who is well versed at detecting moisture. Do it within a day or two, three at the most after a good rain. If you're planning on buying one, MAKE SURE ITS RAINING when you do! Don't forget your umbrella.

Do you know of anyone you can suggest?

Yes, HardieBoard is a great product when installed right. There are problems with the installation such as buckling and nailing. Nails are over-driven, under-driven, and driven in at angles. Proper clearances are also an issue. Even with all the problems with the Hardie, this is not the problem for the water penetration. As to the stucco, it is the real thing...3 part stucco. The problem is the building envelope (Tyvek house wrap & flashing). Tyvek too, is a great product if it is installed right. The problem here is that it is not. After seeing the HardieBoard removed at several locations, we got a view of the Tyvek and flashing. The flashing was not installed in a clapboard fashion, the Tyvek was not installed correctly to the windows and doors, the vertical seams were not taped, etc. The problem now is that Tricon does not want to do anything but minor repairs. Minor repairs simply will not fix the problems we are having.

Swiss Cheese! Just kidding, it's hardieboard and stucco.

To start, we had a leak in the roof. The top of the parapet wall was not sealed. The only thing holding water out was cap flashing. The flashing was leaking. Some new flashing and a lot of caulk and it appears to have stopped the leak. Then five windows were leaking. The first one was due to a repair Tricon did to get the upward bow out of the bottom portion of the frame. They shot nails through the bottom of the vinyl window frame to flaten the bottom edge so that the window would close. It also had an alarm sensor drilled through the bottom of the frame. That window had to be replace. Four additional windows (vinyl frames) had alarm sensors drilled through the bottom of the frame. Those windows were replaced as well. Several additional windows were leaking. That was due to improper flashing. We also had scuppers and vents leaking. None were ever flashed. We also had doors leaking. That was also due to improper flashing. We continue to have leaks in numerous locations. It appears that the building envelope is failing.

I have had numerous leaks since buying my home in 2006. The repair process has not worked to date. I am curious to know if anyone else has had similar problems with their Tricon home.