D R Horton falsified construction records in California in an attempt to maintain production schedules. The Yuba County building officials alleged that Horton falsified or changed inspection records on 64 homes. The components at issue were foundational and structural: http://www.sacbee.com/103/story/191613.html
Two insiders from Florida have also verified that homes in hurricane country were not adequately inspected and did not receive certificates of occupancy prior to their sale. Very likely in the next storm to make landfall, these homes will fail and might possibly kill their owners. The appropriate Florida departments have been notified.
The homes in East Hempfield Township, PA were not properly inspected and yet received certificates of occupancy. The official PA documents are immediately below:
In just one of these Pennsylvania homes, 16 code violations were documented. The exterior of the home was not properly weatherproofed at the walls or roof. Structural trusses were not properly braced. Appliances which rely on combustion are receiving combustion air from living areas or are not sufficiently isolated from the living areas. An intake grille is located within the bathroom and recirculates this air to the remainder of the home. Electrical connectors were undersized, fixtures not waterproof in wet locations and electrical devices not safely connected as required by the manufacturer. This brief list of defects would not have been passed by qualified building officials. This home never should have received that certificate of occupancy. Who knows whats going on behind the walls..........but D R Horton did maintain its production schedule and did sell the home quick. Apparently there was no sense in getting official city approval when you can get around the system. Note that several of the building inspectors for this development have resigned or were asked to leave the department.
