HERITAGE TRACE-HANDLER HOMES

We obtained an estimate for the damage and discovered a means to prevent the problem was to have bushes/trees planted along the affected area of the home BEFORE the issue cropped up or have additional screens on the windows causing the issue. The estimate was made by one of Handler's subcontractors and they knew what the problem was immediately upon inspection. We contacted the home owners' association first and then the warranty department. The home owner's association could not provide any help on the issue. We then contacted the warranty department on several occasions and were told that the VP of the company may help. I sent him an email and he responded via voice mail on 1/26 that they were not going to do anything to help as their (Handler's warranty responsibilities) only were for the first two years of ownership; the remianing 8 years are through a separate warranty program and does not cover this problem. We checked the neighborhood here at Heritage Trace and have observed 8 other homes with the same problem, so it isn't an unusual occurrence. This information was provided to Handler as well. The estimate to repair the siding is $2200.00 and our insurance company agreed to help but it will cost us the $1000.00 deductible. In addition, we have purchased three special screens ($210.00) to prevent our property from causing a problem with our neighbor; the third screen we purchased for the neighbor who's window caused the problem (not her fault) .After a few days the warranty department called me back to say I should plant a bush or two alongside the house to "prevent the problem from occurring again." I wouldn't have been so offended and irritated had they offered a landscaping plan at the time of purchase to prevent this problem...thus, they knew of the possibility of this "burning" but made no effort to make the purchaser aware of it...and now, their response is "it's your problem." Very poor customer service from a builder that could have prevented the problem initially or, at a minimum, assist their home buyers to fix the problem. Go figure!