Knotts Builders

While the build was fine, this review is about something equally important - which is honoring your warranty. Move-in was June of 2018, and nearing the end of our first year, we had had a couple of warranty issues, and would soon face a third. The first two issues were appliance related. Having read the 2-10 terms, we submitted requests to 2-10 directly, and were contacted within a couple of days by a Knotts project manager. He arranged to stop in, and validated the claim, which was followed further by a visit from an Appliance Maintenance firm that took care of the issues. Pretty standard stuff. Then came the discovery of some water damage, noticed in the last week or two of our warranty. We filed the claim within terms, fortunately as this became a serious issue. Michael Knotts showed up with tools the same day he first triaged the damage, finding and stopping the water leak (in a freakish circumstance, the A/C contractor had left a non pressurized condensation drain line a little too close the outside wall...and invisible to all, a siding contractor pierced the line with a nail). After determining the extent of the damage, Knotts engaged a nationally recognized water damage/mold remediation/ specialty contractor to start repairs. I could describe events for pages, but will cut this short. The effort took several weeks, involving water damage contractors, framers, painters, finish woodworkers, and flooring contractors, with multiple visits from Michael and his PM. With costs I'm certain were running well into the low 5 figures, no one at Knotts even brought up the expense. Just took care of it. And we remain happy with our purchase. We opted for the "engineered" hardwood flooring (less susceptible to environmental changes) as opposed to solid, and have not had any issues from that. Few new homes will ever experience a freak issue like this thousand-to-one leak - so what's more important is to know that Knotts does indeed stand behind their warranty. I would work with Knotts again, or recommend them to a friend, without hesitation.

The quality of the house was good but responsiveness to addressing issues within the first year was slow and required multiple calls. Never did get a quaote to add the additional garage.

A nightmare ! Had many complaints with construction from every stage of the building process. These complaints were discussed with the builder not the site manager . We never made our concerns through the site manager. Had concerns with how things were passed by code enforcement of Mecklenburg. It was so obvious that we hired an engineer to get some legitimacy to our concerns. Have placed complaints with NORTH CAROLINA Dept. OF Justice, consumer complaints and the NORTH CAROLINA Licensure Board for General Contractors. Code is the minimum standard of a safe structure. !!! Knotts Builders complain to the North Carolina Dept of Insurance that code enforcement fails them too many times. (public record).I was told by code enforcement this is what happens. I sent code enforcement the structural inspection and requested to know how this house passed with known deficiencies that the builder was completely aware of and how a lay person knew that the deck could not possibly meet code . The certificate of occupancy could not be revoked , sly maneuver by the builder .. Two of the major issues that are of particular concern is the deck and the installation of the hardwood floors. The deck was the reason for getting a structural engineer to inspect the house. On this inspection many deficiencies were found on the deck ,( along with code violations ).foundation and inside the house. The builder consistently delayed response to correct and never cooperated with the corrections so that we could have a final inspection to verify that the corrections if made were acceptable . The hardwoods have been ongoing since before closure and deteriorating. First brought to the attention of us when they were installed in August with no a/c connection possible ,so not acclimated to normal living conditions . The National Wood Floor Association is the standard for wood floor installation followed by reputable installers and business that deal with hardwood flooring. We were charged 1000.00 $ surgcharge for this process that wasn’t done. The builder(Michael Knotts) and the sub(KW FLOORING / WL FLOORS)have consistently claimed there is nothing wrong with the hardwoods. Michael has stated many times that he will do nothing with the floors. they meet the performance guidelines in his Bible . The hardwoods continued to worsen and then a loose board was present and they refused to admit a problem then KW finally had to replace the board because it was loose on edges and end and splitting. At that point there was several other areas that they decided to do something with before the boards split, they made it worse by tighten from underneath, that it raised the boards involved then it was hand stripped and nail from top and refinished. WORSE Was told that what was happening was normal for hardwood. What an insult to anyone that has a thought process. I had read the NWFA recommendations and knew that these problems started with the improper installation . After letting the process work for the sub and the builder it came time to reassess the floor as suggested by KW FLOOR. Well no response for 6 weeks .No response from Knotts for 4 weeks, I hired a NWFA inspector to once again get legitimacy to my concerns from a professional. Filed a work notice with the 2 10 warranty and what do you know Knotts comes out to inspect the floors once again . Once again Michael Knotts states that he sees nothing wrong with the floor. At this point I have over 70 areas of loose boards and other areas marked. He stands by his conviction there is nothing wrong ,and states that Im picky. I asked what guidelines are followed for install . !!!! He states they do not follow any guideline, he is not a floor guy and leaves that to the floor sub. !! But I was charged an extra 1000.00 for sand in place floor and the process requires acclimation therefore the extra charge . The floors were not acclimated. Placed in Aug 2015 no normal living conditions possible to acclimate the floors at that installation .!!!!! A/C was not functional until the day after sanding on Sept 19.!!!!!! I shared with Michael that we found areas where the nailing pattern was more than 36 inches without a nail. This is objective data that cant be manufactured. There is clear concise observable measurements taken with earth magnets and tape measure per NWFA standard So three weeks later the sub and Knotts bring in another inspector for the floors. He also found areas where there were no nail along the entire length of the board. His report was similar to the first report ,but was not clear or concise and he stated obivious false statements and can prove the slanted and false statements made from Knotts and the sub KW . At this point the floor has over 90 areas . The recommendations were different on the inspections. The first inspection the one I got ; was to replace the entire floor, no acclimation, nailing pattern, gaps and deflection loose boards are to prevalent to spot fix . The other report suggested. to underneath tighten two areas or inject glue and top nail several areas of loose ends . What a crooked response from a certified NWFA inspector and a suggestion from a Custom Builder and a Hardwood Floor Company. In fact I have submitted both reports to a independent review ,charging that the 2nd report vilolates his code of ethics for the certification and the first report to show the clear concise report and results. (the builder/sub inspector used large poker chips and no measurement tape when locating the nails ,creating illusion of closer nailing . His recommendations were not those for hardwood floor sand in place via the standards of NWFA. One could theorize that neither the builder or the sub are reputable . There are more concerns on the inside, the backsplash, the carpet, the shower tile on the floors and the walls( 3 bathrooms,)the ceilings, the doors that do not stay open . No grout at the top of the shower wall tiles or around the window in the shower. The shower floor humps that would give you dizziness. Exterior doors damaged since hung by the contactors never replaced,doors messed when painted never replaced , deck door panes had water in and he refused to fix . It goes on and on .. . The list of things to do grew daily and never got completed . We offered 2 week extension for closure ,which they accepted stating that they wanted closure to go well and not be hurried as many have been. They failed at that also. It has taken many months to get items at a forced acceptable place. The floor is not acceptable . Backsplash, carpet, shower tiles - wall, floor and shower floor ,cook top vent all of these items took months to complete with several attempts all after closure. All were brought to attention before closure . Many times we heard performace guidelines and we never got a good answer as to what they are. Until the pre closure walk thru . Michael laid 2 booklets on the island and told us it was the 2-10 warranty . Ah finally were got this 2-10 that he was to give us during the pre construction signing . We requested it many times in email and at on site inspections . Consistently he would say I will see that you get it. Never until Sept 24th Closing extended to Sept 30th from Sept 18th. This was what he often refered to as his BIBLE. If you ever hear this 2-10 or any warranty I strongly urge you to get it in writing how you will work the performace guidelines because these are the minimal guidelines . You will not accept this from a custom builder or a reputable builder. In response to complaints to the DOJ Michael Knotts has made unture statements and stands by his minimal guidelines as set in the performace guidelines under the 2-10 warranty . Contradictory to the company’s stated mission , No two people are alike. Should your house be any different? We can create a home the way you like it. Knotts Builders treats each customer as family and all of our associates are dedicated to making your dream home a reality. Our step by step personal attention is the foundation of our exemplary customer satisfaction and is established through real customer service, treating you the way you would like to be treated. We pride ourselves on building efficient, structurally sound and livable homes, offering exceptional value to our customers. We are family-owned and operated and we are passionate about helping our clients realize their dream of owning a custom built home for a price that can't be beat. Knotts Builders is a division of Knotts Development Resources offering a full range of Real Estate and Development services. With over thirty years of experience in the real estate industry the firms size, the expertise of its members, as well its goals and standards combine to make Knotts Development Resources one of the most able and responsive development services firms in the Charlotte area. Specialties exceptional value, custom service.