TW Lewis Co., home builder, Tempe, AZ - paid over $ 600,00 for new home - two years after purchase, still fighting with builder to fix basic problems

# 4 for September 26, 2003

Complaints.com received the following on September 25, 2003:

From:

RE: TW Lewis Co., home builder, Tempe, AZ - paid over $ 600,00 for new home - two years after purchase, still fighting with builder to fix basic problems We have been in our house (with a price tag over $600k) for close to two years and are still fighting with them to fix basic problems. What they charge for upgrades is out of line, but we bought a higher end home and didn't mind paying because we are busy people and didn't want the fix-it hassles of a pre-owned home. In working with TWLewis, we've found that this is the most time consuming mess we've encountered in our lives. Lewis disagrees and tries to negotiate and compromise on almost everything with us, even if it is so obviously wrong (a cabinet not matching the others, granite counter top cut short, gaps in flooring, a/c units that are smaller than listed on the initial sell sheet), and even when they've been paid about three times the normal fee for such products. We are experiencing many of the same problems as many of our neighbors. The list of complaints includes inadequate a/c units and roof vents that were missing; windows that fall off; window trim that falls off; windows that won't stay open; paint thinned out so much for home exterior that it can't possibly be matched when you touch up; sinks that are so small they are not usable; Many neighbors, as well as we, have drainage issues in the bathrooms, as well as on the front walkways. One of our doors does not fit square, so water puddles in through the doorway during heavy rain. We don't know of any satisfied homeowners in our neighborhood... not one. My husband has even tried to speak with Tom Lewis directly.

My husband is handy so, unfortunately, we have given up on some issues and he now spends his weekends fixing things in our "new" home that should have been done right in the first place. The T.W. Lewis warranty is practically worthless in our experience. Just a miserable experience with TWLewis Company that I would not recommend for anyone. I will remain anonymous at this point because we are still trying to get them to fix some of the larger problems in our home. A Scottsdale Resident