On 5/31/2006, our Champion Genesis Jefferson II Modular
Home was craned onto its foundation in Southern CA.Within the subsequent days
and weeks, it was apparent that there were multiple problems with damaged
and/or flawed construction that would neither function properly nor pass
California building inspection codes.
On 6/1/2006, Modular Home Pro sent a letter congratulating us on
receiving our new home.In this
letter, Modular Home Pro confirmed a “walk-thru … to form a list of anything that may
need to be repaired, replaced or missing,” the creation of a service
request, and the follow-up procedure for Champion Genesis Service
Department “to come out and take care of these items.
On
6/20/2007, per instruction from Modular Home Pro, I submitted a written list of problems and concerns.Subsequently, copies were
given to everyone who participated in the walk-thru inspection.
Between 6/20/2007 and 6/26/2007, Modular Home Pro
informed me that Champion Genesis Management would be participating in our
walk-thru inspection.You indicated
that this was very unusual and the first time Champion Genesis Management had left the
factory to make an onsite inspection. They were doing so because
of the sheer number and severity of problems in our modular home as well as two other modular homes recently delivered to Southern California.
On 6/26/2006, you and I were joined by
Champion Genesis General Manager Jay Angus, Operation Manager Ron Bailey,
QA Manager Mark Dingee and Assistant Production Manager Nick Vojvodich for
the walk-thru inspection.During this inspection, Champion Genesis
Management acknowledged multiple problems, made notes on their list and
asked that you submit a service request to Champion Genesis in
writing.
On
6/27/2006, at request of Champion Genesis and Modular Home Pro, I faxed a letter to you listing and elaborating
on the problems that were apparent to date.
On
6/27/2006, Modular Home Pro sent a service request letter and a copy of this list to
Champion Genesis, confirming and outlining the problems and requesting a
contact person to “get these items addressed so that we can keep this home moving
on schedule." On 07/21/2006, Modular Home Pro telephoned me to
inform me that Champion Genesis had authorized “corrections and repairs as
long as they were approved by Modular Home Pro.” On 8/7/2006, I faxed a letter to Modular Home Pro regarding the fact that large sections of drywall and flooring
had to be removed, patched and/or replaced in order to make extensive
repairs to the plumbing and rebuild the stairs.I provided a statement for the repair
and replacement of drywall as a result of repairing the plumbing and
rebuilding the stairs. On 8/9/2006, after numerous
conversations regarding the fact that there had been no provision in the
floor plan for the air handler/furnace and that neither the stairs nor the window installation met the code, I faxed a statement to Modular Home Pro for the build-out of a location in the attic for the air handler/furnace, rebuilding
the stairs and caulking/sealing the windows.
On
8/11/2006, a letter was faxed to Modular Home Pro regarding the fact that the
sprinkler system installation neither functioned nor met the code and that the
exterior control panel failed to meet the requirements for a “stucco ready”
structure.I provided a statement to repair
and replace various parts in the fire sprinkler system, including replacement
of the OSB cover on the exterior control panel. On or about 8/16/2007, I received the
first and only reimbursement check from Champion Genesis in the amount of
$4,800.00 for the initial plumbing repairs which ultimately cost $10,300.00. On 9/1/2006, I faxed a letter to Modular Home Pro regarding the fact that there were no lateral lines connecting
the upstairs toilet, tub and lavatory to the first floor drain and that
the installation included removing and replacing much of the floor and
portions of the wall around each fixture.I provided statements for the installation and repair of the
upstairs plumbing and miscellaneous carpentry repairs.
During this period, I had multiple
telephone conversations with Modular Home Pro wherein I expressed my concerns and Modular Home Pro described their efforts to deal with Champion Genesis and get them to pay for the repairs.
On 10/19/2006, Champion Genesis
Operations Manager Ron Bailey sent a letter to Modular Home Pro, minimizing the
seriousness of the situation and denying responsibility.Ron reversed Champion Genesis’ previous
agreement to pay corrections and repairs authorized by Modular Home Pro,
writing “Champion Home Builders cannot and will not pay for any field
repairs that are done in the field by your customers without Champion
Homes giving any authorization to you for the repairs that may be
needed.If for any reason your
customer goes ahead and does any kind of work without your or our
knowledge as to the item or items in advance then we will not consider any
invoice acceptable.”
On
1/17/2007, you mailed a letter to me, detailing Modular Home Pro’s efforts to
assist me with these problems.You
confirmed that Champion Genesis paid for certain repairs to be made by our contractors, but has since refused to “approve payment for the additional
repairs made by us because they claim that we did not
go through the proper procedure and obtain a purchase order to authorize the
work be done.”
The time lapse between the letter from Ron Bailey of Champion Genesis to Modular Home Pro (10/19/2006) and the letter from Modular Home Pro (1/17/2007) to us was due to Modular Home Pro's attempt to persaude Champion Genesis that they were responsible and should pay for the repairs. When that attempt failed, Modular Home Pro sent the 1/17/2007 letter.
I
remain appalled and disappointed by Champion Genesis’ delays and lack of
response.From 5/31/2006, when the
modular home was set on its foundation, it was
·26-additional-days
to the walk-thru inspection,
·25-additional-days
to your call confirming that Champion Genesis had authorized “corrections and
repairs as long as they were approved by Modular Home Pro.,”
·26-additional-days
to my receipt of Champion Genesis’ one and only reimbursement check,
·64-additional-days
of no communication from Champion Genesis followed by Modular Home Pro's receipt of Ron’s
10/19/2006 letter, and
·98-additional-days
of no communication from Champion Genesis followed by the San Diego County
Department of Planning and Land Use Inspector’s signature on the 1/25/2007
final inspection.
For
a company who touts themselves to be “the World’s Largest Homebuilder,” this is
a poor way to do business.
I
remain insulted by Ron Bailey’s impersonal and condescending letter.Ron implies that the reason for denying my
requests for reimbursement to Modular Home Pro and Modular Home Pro's requests to Champion Genesis was
that neither I nor Modular Home Pro followed the “proper chain.”
Modular Home Pro was present at the 6/26/2006 walk-thru inspection where the problems discovered to date and the work to correct code and inspection violations were discussed and approved. The fact that Modular Home Pro repeatedly submitted requests for reimbursement is, in itself, an indication of Modular Home Pro's approval that the repairs were necessary.
The
good faith expectation that Champion Genesis would either pay for my
Contractors to correct the problems or send their Contractors to do the work
turned out to be a fallacy.Although
Champion Genesis was noticed by us the day of the walk-thru inspection and
noticed by Modular Home Pro office via USPS and fax over the course of the next several
months, they chose to take little action to rectify the problems.Initially, they sent 4 Management Staff to
complete the walk-thru inspection and they mailed 1 reimbursement check for
$4,800.00. Subsequently, they
·failed
to heed to the words of the Champion Genesis Management Staff during the
walk-thru inspection,
·failed
to provide additional reimbursement,
·failed
to respond or communicate,
·failed
to send any Contractors to perform the repairs necessary to allow the house to pass
inspection and be completed in a timely manner, and they
·failed
to make good faith efforts or operate on a professional basis.
