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1.34 Reviews
Showing 1-4 of 4 reviews
Robert R.
03/2022
remodeling, home builders
+ 0 moreWe met with them and customized the plan, agreed on everything and gave them a deposit. The home was from Nation Wide Homes,, that was my first mistake! Really crappy construction; walls are not square some are not plumb. The worst thing is the floor, it cracks, pops and creaks, it has a good amount of deflection in it! My 12 pound dog walks across the floor and you can feel it. When a person walks across it your chair rocks!!! NO EXAGGERATION! I notified Custom Smart homes several times, they finally came out and put 8 steel corner brackets on 8 floor joists! It did NOTHING! When I called I was told; you have a 10 year structural warranty, call them". I did and they have NO RECORD of me at all!!! The siding blows off the gable ends of my house almost every time we get a 60 MPH wind! The Interior trim is atrocious different reveals throughout, 5 of the interior doors bowed and twisted, called them and we agreed that I would buy solid doors they would install them. I did and they came to install them, they mis-cut the first one and left. They came back weeks later with prehung solid doors and installed those (I'm out the $850 for the ones I special ordered)! The ones they installed all have trim issues and one seems to be moving with the floor! The kitchen cabinets are crap! They did attempt to correct them but they are still not alined properly, and even the ones that are on each side of the window which they attempted to make equally spaced from the window are NOT matching. The foundation was out of square by almost 2"! That made it necessary to Pad out the block walls (real scab builder stuff!). Now I do not have the proper overhang at the starter strip and I'm worried about water infiltration to my wooden structure! They talked a good game, but really dropped the ball far before completion! Dont use them or Nation Wide Homes!!!!!
Description of Work: We purchased a modular home from them as well as there services to supply, set and complete it.
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$260,000
Stephen M.
12/2020
home builders
+ -1 moreCould't get past their funky sales process. They wanted money up front...$500 and then additional $2000 for plans that we could get elsewhere the a third of the cost. Then their budget for our home was riddled with errors. They refused to do a site evaluation unless we ponied up the $2000. Felt like I was at a used car dealership. Couldn't get them to commit to an estimate unless we spent more time and more money. Then you can't back out because you don't want to lose the $2500 and you have zero control over the cost. My wife and I feel like we were sucker punched! Unethical. If I were you I'd pass on these folks.
Description of Work: Looking to build a new turn-key home
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Ben S.
06/2011
mobile home remodeling
+ -1 moreThis builder has been disciplined by TN Board for Licensing Contractors. Complaint number 201100034. See other report I submitted for this contractor under categories Builders – Garages/Barns/Sheds and Builders – Homes for more information. I tried to update the other report to included this Remodeling category, but was unable to add the category.
Description of Work: This builder has been disciplined by TN Board for Licensing Contractors. Complaint number 201100034. See other report I submitted for this contractor under categories Builders – Garages/Barns/Sheds and Builders – Homes for more information. I tried to update the other report to included this Remodeling category, but was unable to add the category.
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$152,000
Ben S.
01/2011
garage builders, home builders
+ 0 more***CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS BOX*** This offer was made when the builder was informed by Nationwide that the stairs would conflict with a basement doorway or window (depending on whether stairs turned left or right from the intermediate landing). Note: In response to his son’s comment, Bill Lizzio Sr. called to say that they could not construct the stairs in violation of code (see item 16 where son later offers to reconstruct stairs in violation of code – second offer for doing such). Bill Lizzio Sr.’s comment had no influence on actual work performed, however, given the subsequent code violations which ensued in four (two original and two replacement) stairways later constructed by the Lizzio Development Group, as documented in items 16 through 22, as well as other items not related to stair construction. Bill Lizzio Sr. provided no project oversight at the job site after excavation (one short visit to site to deliver paychecks) and he would not respond to phone calls or emails after the concrete was poured through the remainder of construction. The homeowners stated to both Bill Lizzio Jr. by email and Bill Lizzio Sr. by phone that the stairways should be constructed to code. The lack of oversight by the builders in plan development has resulted in very odd window placement (homeowners were told it was too late to change plans as the basement pre-cast walls were already constructed at the time the problem was identified by Nationwide). 16. 6 types of violations are listed in this bullet regarding basement stairs, constructed after discussion listed in item 15: Nosing exceedance - nosing 2". Tread slope exceedance - out-of-level, down/up direction,1/4" per 9" tread. Tread depth less than minimum - tread depth 9". Riser variation exceedance - risers varied from 6" to 8". Riser height exceedance – the 8" risers. No nosing at both landings which causes exceedance in tread depth variation. After homeowner pointed out violations with stairs, Bill Lizzio Jr.’s stated that stairs were constructed to fit below the window sill located at the landing. When discussing stair replacement, Bill Lizzio Jr., in person, again offered to construct the stairs in violation of code to make stairs fit below window. The homeowners stated they wanted the stairs constructed to code in an email to the Lizzios. On two occasions the builder’s carpenter, Lawson, stated that he had constructed stairs in this manner since he began working for the Lizzios, it is the homeowners’ understanding he has worked for the Lizzios for approximately 3 years prior to the summer of 2010. Lawson made the comment that he was glad homeowner pointed out these problems because he learned much that would be useful as he was going to have to construct a set of stairs where the stairs were to be inspected by the local building department. Most of the original stairs are available for inspection (demolished stairs were saved by homeowner). 17. *Replacement basement stairs: After replacement basement stairs were "complete", there was no nosing at both landings which causes a violation of the variation in tread depth (first tread down from landing is thus 1" greater than the other treads). One nosing at upper landing was corrected at homeowner’s request (prior to carpeting). The homeowner had specifically asked Lawson and Dennis to construct the nosing at the intermediate landing, they did not. In exasperation, the homeowner told Bill Lizzio Jr. that the homeowner would fix the intermediate landing’s nosing. 18. 2 violations in this bullet: After the basement stairs were constructed and code violations pointed out to the builder by the homeowner, Lawson constructed the front porch stairs. These stairs were also constructed with tread depths less than minimum – having 8.5" to 9" tread depth. No nosing at landing which causes violation by variation in tread depth (first tread down from landing is thus 1" greater than other treads). Homeowner and son on separate occasions stumbled on these stairs (carpenter Lawson observed homeowner stumble). Original stairs are available for inspection, although disconnected and saved. 19. *After replacement front porch stairs were constructed, no nosing at landing which causes violation of variation in tread depth (first tread down from landing is thus 1" greater than other treads). In exasperation, the homeowner told Bill Lizzio Jr. that the homeowner would fix the nosing (during same conversation as noted at the end of item 17). 20. After replacement front porch stairs were constructed, the bottom tread included only two nails and no glue for the 7’ wide step. Tread built with two boards, the board with only two nails was the one which comprised the nosing. 21. Stairs from 1st to 2nd floor were constructed with no nosing at landing which causes violation of variation in tread depth (first tread down from landing is thus 1" greater than other treads). This was fixed prior to carpeting at request of homeowner. 22. Stair rail from first floor to second floor is not "gripable" at lower end and causes pinched fingers if sliding hand down the rail (pinch between rail and knee wall trim), adult fingers cannot grip rail at this pinch point. Homeowner was asked which side of stairs he wanted the rail and so specified the side where constructed, but the homeowner was not informed that this would create a safety problem and be in violation of code. The homeowner pointed this out when it was clear the handrail couldn’t be grasped after it was constructed. Builder paid homeowner to fix rail (rail is not yet fixed to allow inspection). 23. Dryer vent was installed with flexible, non-smooth-wall duct instead of smooth-wall duct (in basement to the exit point in wall, not the location right behind dryer where flexible duct is acceptable). This was replaced with smooth wall duct at homeowners direction, duct provided by homeowner. Some of flexible duct is saved and available for inspection. 24. Dryer vent was installed with bathroom exhaust style vent with ~1/8-3/16" screen at exhaust-to-outside point, covered with plastic fixed vent with ~¼” gaps. Screen removed by homeowner while investigating why the dryer had rapidly decreased in ability to dry despite the dryer generating hot air. The plastic fixed mesh was replaced with an appropriate dryer vent by builder at homeowner request. Screen is saved and available for inspection, plastic cover is no longer available. 25. Porch railing missing screws at connectors to posts. 25% missing in a sampling of eight required screw locations. Builder has said all rails have since been checked and screws provided where needed – homeowner has not verified. 26. *Blocking between floor joists (basement ceiling) were not installed prior to backfill. Builder specified when construction was ready for backfill. The homeowner told Bill Lizzio Jr. that the shear wall hadn’t yet been constructed, so that was first constructed (incorrectly, see item 12) before backfill was completed. However, after backfill, the homeowner noticed the missing blocking. The homeowner informed the builder’s carpenter Lawson that the blocking added after backfill would not fully distribute stresses already placed on end members from the backfill already in-place. It took two weeks after pointing out problem for the blocking to be installed. 27. Homeowner had to twice request vent holes be cut between dormers and main attic i.e., the shed dormer would not have had any venting other than at soffit (no high point for hot air to escape). 28. *Two gable-end vents required for whole-house fan were installed with two hammer holes through OSB with nearly no airflow passage possible. After asking builder to fix, the house wrap, studs and significant OSB remained in place over the vent and had to ask builder to again fix. Visible house wrap was removed but double stud and significant OSB/house wrap remains over each vent. Vents currently operating at approximately 20 percent design capacity. 29. *Material strength issue: Concrete footings and floor poured after substantial mixing time due to site not being prepared prior to concrete truck arrival. The first concrete truck arrived in the area 15-minutes before the crew arrived (homeowner saw lost truck driver one road over from house), then some of the crew went to search for concrete truck and the rest of the crew started putting in stakes, etc. (preparatory work was not complete prior to concrete arrival). While the first truck waited for the preparatory work to be completed, the second truck arrived. Trucks had approximately 70 minutes travel time from the plant. The first wheelbarrow full of concrete was taken from the first truck a minimum of 2 hours after mixing began, with a longer wait for the second truck. Floor cracking is evident throughout basement. The builder has refused to fix or otherwise compensate. * Seeking financial compensation. However, the primary objective of this complaint is to protect the safety of others. All items in the Basis for Complaint were identified by the homeowner. The homeowner who assembled this complaint is a registered professional engineer (TN and MI) but does not claim to be a structural engineer. The homeowner does not claim to be a builder or building inspector. Statements made above are the best determination by the homeowner from research. The word ‘code’ herein refers to International Residential Code, required by Carter County, TN – IRC year of code referenced may vary based on homeowner’s ability to locate information. Both homeowners will defer to independent inspection as to whether items above constitute a violation of building code. Further, the homeowners recognize that an independent inspector may identify other items not listed above.
Description of Work: This builder has been disciplined by TN Board for Licensing Contractors. Complaint number 201100034. 'F' ratings are largely due to safety issues, the builder's work is a hazard. Please review this report if you, or anyone you know, has had Custom Smart Homes as their builder. Photos of some of the problems are included below. Builder was to oversee the construction of a new modular home, including most of the onsite construction, including construction of the 2nd floor. The text in this report is taken from a formal report I recently submitted the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (with signed attestation). The builder's licences are under Lizzio Development Group, LLC (in text below) but they are doing business by the name Custom Smart Homes. ******BASIS FOR YOUR COMPLAINT as submitted to the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors******* This complaint notifies authorities (Board for Licensing Contractors) of a need for the protection of other past, present and future clients of the Lizzio Development Group, LLC. Because of statements made by the builder (Bill Lizzio, Jr.) and builder’s carpenters, it is likely that some of these violations have been going on for years. These statements are discussed in the list below. It is suspected that other peoples’ health and safety, as well as the structural integrity of their homes, is at risk. The homeowners refuse to allow the Lizzio Development Group, LLC to perform further work on their home. The homeowners consider the Lizzio Development Group, LLC to be ignorant of, and in some cases in blatant disregard of (see email in item 15 below), basic minimum construction standards; and that the builder’s workmanship is substandard relative to that provided by the modular home manufacturer, Nationwide. The homeowners will incur substantial expense to have the outstanding items below competently resolved. Whether compensation is received for this expense is not known, but it is certain the Lizzio Development Group, LLC will not perform the work. Most of the following items are available for inspection. To keep this complaint as objective as possible, the items listed below primarily relate to suspected building code violations and/or structural integrity issues. This list would be substantially longer if the items of poor quality workmanship were also included. The items in this list are the result of the Lizzio Development Group’s work and not Nationwide (the modular home manufacturer), nor the work of Superior Walls (the precast foundation manufacturer). The homeowners are satisfied with the work of Nationwide and Superior Walls. 1. *Basement window at stairs is supposed to be tempered glass with permanent etched label. Bottom of window is at landing. There is no etched label indicating such. The windows Nationwide provided, on the first floor at the bottom of stairs leading to second floor, have the permanent etched label. 2. *Six non-IC rated recessed light housings do not have 3” clear space between housing and insulation (all are covered and/or surrounded by insulation, all in direct contact with insulation). Two are currently visible but inaccessible for repair without cutting an access hole. 3. *Missing insulation in 5 to 10 percent of ceiling of 2nd floor, ceiling is part of thermal envelope. When viewing house from outside, the roof over the attic space either remains free of snow while remainder of roof is covered or is the first to melt following a moderate-to-heavy snowfall. 4. *Central stud wall with wood-column structural supports and the shear wall in basement do not have treated lumber at base on concrete floor. Tar paper lies between wood and concrete in most locations, but not all as the tar paper was pulled free in some locations during removal from main part of floor (tar paper was used as a floor protection during construction). Bill Lizzio Jr. and carpenter, Lawson, inspected this upon an initial complaint and one of the two responded that this was how they always constructed these walls. This was said despite the walls at the stairway having treated lumber at the base. Builder refused to fix this item. 5. *2nd floor bathroom vent is not vented to outside, it is vented to attic space. 6. *Front porch foundation posts rest on concrete but are in no way anchored or prevented from uplift in this high-wind area. Bill Lizzio Jr. said this is how they set the posts for their porches. 7. *Venting between insulation and roof deck is missing in some locations where inspection is possible and uncertain where inaccessible (sloped ceiling portion of cape cod 2nd floor). Over 500 linear feet of venting material (cardboard type) was found by homeowner in dumpster after drywall was in place. Approximately 350-400 linear feet of venting is required for this 27.5’x40’ house with 12:12 pitched roof, with sloped portion of thermal envelope being approximately 6’ from top to bottom. Bill Lizzio Jr. (builder) said, Nationwide (modular manufacturer) always sends a huge amount of excess venting material and that the venting is in place. In the cavities inspected by homeowner from the attic space above second floor, there are some where cardboard is felt and others where it is not. Most of the cardboard venting that was discarded by builder was retrieved by homeowner and has been saved - available for inspection. 8. *No airflow is possible from the venting (if/where present, see previous item) between insulation and roof deck, insulation is packed into rafter spaces up to horizontal beam at roof hinge point (modular construction) at which gaps between beam and insulation are not identifiable which would allow air to flow from soffit into attic - as observed from attic space above 2nd floor ceiling. This causes a low pressure condition to occur during higher winds, then when the wind velocity slows, air with precipitation (mostly snow, but has occurred with rain) is “pulled” in through ridge vent. Snow builds in a mostly-linear shallow pile under the ridge vent, then melts and pours through whole-house fan louver, drips down walls, and has caused damage to ceiling drywall. The cardboard venting material is not visible at any location. In all locations the insulation is in contact with the roof deck OSB and/or the horizontal beam. Similarly, observed in four attic spaces adjacent to second floor, the venting space between insulation and roof deck is many cavities blocked by insulation. However, at this lower end there are some cavities where the cardboard venting material does extend beyond end of insulation (less than 50 percent of the cavities have visible cardboard venting, one attic space has none visible). To prevent further water damage, repairs are underway at the homeowners’ expense. 9. *Stair rail from basement stairs landing to basement floor exceeds maximum gripping dimension. Rail is a standard 2x4 framing stud (1.5” x 3.5” in cross-section). Rail is for section of stairs with four risers. 10. *Basement stairs are framed on both sides, 16” o.c., unknown whether framing stud spacing is acceptable i.e., doesn’t meet 4” requirement for other railing guard spacing. Basement is unfinished. 11. *Landing on basement stairs is less than 36” x door width. 12. There is evidence suggesting the basement shear wall was not designed by an engineer. Bill Lizzio Jr. would not answer the question when asked who did the design and what fastener schedule the designer specified. Fasteners used for shear wall are clearly inadequate to prevent shear. Note: Bill Lizzio Jr. said they have never put a footing under a shear wall until this homeowner requested one. The builder asked the homeowner for shear wall footing dimensions. This suggests the possibility that other shear walls constructed by this builder are not properly designed. 13. *Range hood vent was routed to attic space. Homeowner asked about this and was told that this is how they often run vents and that the soffit would provide enough air flow without having to vent directly to outside (per Lizzio’s carpenter Dennis). After being questioned about this, the venting was rerouted through the roof at an angle markedly off plumb. The homeowner had not made the request that this be moved. 14. *No fireblocking provided at the top and sides of two double-walls for utilities (each side of stairs leading to second floor) – top being located at 2nd floor ceiling/attic, sides being open to attic space along walls of second floor, open to soffit ventilation. One of these walls allows for significant free passage of air from soffit between 1st and 2nd floor (cape cod style) to/from attic space above 2nd floor. Water pipes in this wall freeze during single-digit temperatures as there is no insulation - this wall is an interior wall. Above the other interior wall, the snow on roof melts first. 15. *Prior to the first attempt at constructing the basement stairs, Bill Lizzio Jr. by email offered to construct basement stairs in violation of code to remedy a plans oversight. This email is: From: Bill Lizzio, Jr. [billjr@customsmarthomes.net] Sent: Thursday, March 18, 2010 7:55 AM To: [email removed] Cc: Dad Subject: Re: last minute questions Good morning [name removed], I have one other solution to consider that may work. If we change the tread depth to 9" that would reduce the number of steps required, which would allow us to have two steps off of the platform to left. This should clear the door. 9" tread depths are considered standard building code in Virginia. TN code calls for 10". I'm checking to see if the stairs will be inspected. If they're not and this is acceptable to you, we should consider this option. I attempted to contact the Carter Co building department for the last two days. I'll try again this morning to find out what inspections they perform. Bill Lizzio, Jr. Vice President CustomSmart Homes *CONTINUED IN NEXT BOX*
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$152,000
Contact information
PO Box 3762, Johnson City, TN 37602
www.customsmarthomes.netLicensing
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Service Categories
Homebuilders,
Remodeling - Modular & Mobile Home,
Garage and Shed Building,
General Remodeling,
Solar Panels
FAQ
Custom Smart Homes is currently rated 1.3 overall out of 5.
No, Custom Smart Homes does not offer free project estimates.
No, Custom Smart Homes does not offer eco-friendly accreditations.
No, Custom Smart Homes does not offer a senior discount.
No, Custom Smart Homes does not offer emergency services.
No, Custom Smart Homes does not offer warranties.
Custom Smart Homes offers the following services: Building homes.
Contact information
PO Box 3762, Johnson City, TN 37602
www.customsmarthomes.net