TERHUNE HOMES INC

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"Caveat Emptor" - Let the buyer beware. THIS CONTRACTOR IS NOT WILLING TO MEET TO RESOLVE ISSUES. HE HAS RESORTED TO THE UNETHICAL TACTIC OF ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE A PERSONAL WEDGE BETWEEN MY WIFE AND ME, PARTNERS WITH WHOM HE HAS CONTRACTED. Terhune Homes, Inc is a residential building contractor in Kent, Washington. In March, 2013 my wife and I contracted with Terhune to build a new home in Bonney Lake, Washington. Terhune publishes a Homeowner's Orientation Manual which covers what to expect "before, during and after construction". In it, Terhune invites any questions about "progress or procedures while your home is under construction". We received this manual over EIGHT MONTHS after signing our contract, at our final "walk-through," which, according to contract, occurs "upon substantial completion of the Project". In the manual Terhune provides a "change" form, the purpose of which is to ensure that both parties understand all aspects of a change to the contracted agreements and how it affects the cost. It provides space for a detailed description of the change, for a clear statement of the additional charge required for the change and for formal approval by the parties by their signatures. Although we needed to order several changes, Terhune did not present us with ANY of these required forms. The results of this glaring omission are that he implemented and billed us for changes which we had not properly reviewed and approved. Terhune ended up giving us unsatisfactory work. We were not given the opportunity to clarify or rectify proposed changes BEFORE they were actually constructed. We have ten major outstanding issues. 1. Terhune built our fireplace according to his own tastes and without proper review and approval. I had offered photos of my preferred concept for a design; my wife offered her own (in some respects conflicting) ideas. Terhune should have insisted we all should have sat down to sketch out an agreed concept. 2. Terhune misaligned the pendant lights above our kitchen island. This glaring error resulted from his failure to coordinate the project per contract. One subcontractor located light fixtures while another located and installed the island. Terhune refused to fix the problem, arguing that we had verbally specified the exact location of the lights out of alignment with the island - a patently ridiculous claim. 3. Terhune refused to review with us an updated electrical plan after we had requested changes at a walk-through with the electrician. Now we have no documentation of our electrical "as-built" design to present to future electrical contractors. 4. Terhune failed to level our front yard despite having done excavating billed at over $4,800. We have requested a conference to review this subject, but Terhune has refused. 5. Terhune's work on our master-bath sink backsplash tiles and shower tiles is unsatisfactory. We have requested an on-site review of the tile installation, but Terhune has refused. 6. Terhune misaligned the master-bath vanity lights with the countertop and faucets. 7. Terhune failed to insure proper roof drainage into the gutter system. 8. There is a crack in the hardwood flooring in front of the fireplace. 9. There is a material defect in the garage/utility-room door adjacent to the deadbolt lock. 10. Exterior paint was not properly bonded to caulking and has washed away. Terhune failed to coordinate plans for work of its subcontractors and suppliers. This is an obvious error in management and defect in workmanship. We contend that rework is appropriate and the responsibility of Terhune.