Donald Henley Construction

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• By Nyoka D.

  April 5, 2019

  I purchased a home from this builder on December 18, 2018 (my first home purchase ever). Home was supposed to be completed by November 30th, but due to weather and other things it wasn't complete until early December so inspection dates had to be pushed back. During the initial walk through I had also scheduled to have my home inspection on the same day, but in the afternoon. However, that morning was told by the builders agent that it wouldn't be able to be conducted until December 18th; which was the day after closing. I was told that the builder would still fix anything found on the home inspection so that closing could proceed; should've been a red flag right there.

  Day of closing came I was provided the builders agreement to fix anything found on the report with the stipulation that he would fix anything required, NOT recommended; another red flag.

  Upon touching base with the builder about the results of the home inspection he was rude (to put it politely) and condescending. Having met him on only 2 occasions and even with my spouse present he was still rude and condescending. The final time I spoke with him about the home inspection results, he told me that he was returning my call while out of town with family as a courtesy. The home inspection report was resent to him with a list of things that needed to be fixed and a date was set for him to come and attended to the items listed. We set up for a Monday morning meeting. However, while I was at work the Saturday prior, I received a phone call from my children about him showing up and being outside. Not cool and momma bear came out.

  When he showed for the schedule appointment on that Monday, I proceeded to show him the areas that needed to be addressed; to include a huge bulging area on the wall outside the master bedroom and a water stain/ring in my youngest sons room, as well as damage to the frame of the windows in the master bedroom. (there were other things, but due to his agitation/attitude we didn't get to everything on the list). Everything that I pointed out to him, he proceeded to preach that it was cosmetic and that it would NOT be fixed. He would then make excuses that my children hit the wall and put bulges and water marks on the wall. That day he adamantly declined to fix the issues shown, being stuck on his cosmetic high horse. Still trying to explain to him that my children didn't cause the issues noted as they weren't home on move-in day. However, I told him where he could stick his cosmetic ideologies. This was in January and it is now April and I haven't heard from him since.

  As such, my realtor has also been trying to assist me with getting the information about the window manufacturer to see what our options were, and he has eluded her as well.

  Fast forward 4 months when prepping the lawn to be mowed. While I do understand that there are to be some rocks in the yard and sticks that would need to be removed, I do not feel that there should be a crap ton of gravel to have to pick up after. The seeds were initially laid by the builder; using only 1 bag for my ENTIRE yard, and then covered with straw. Well it has now been 3 days of yard work and I have removed tons of gravel and sticks, along with black plastic that was used as a barrier, stakes that were attached to the plastic barrier, two 5+ feet long rusted bars that are used to provide foundation support especially in the garage, as well as rusted razor blades and nails, orange tie string, metal shards and the black netting you can use when mulching or wrapping around the roots of plants before being planted (like a tarp material), and whitish boards that resemble the material my kitchen cabinets are made from. My personal favorite is the buried trash left behind by the workers as I found have used water bottles, potato chip bags, styrofoam from cup of noodles, ziplock bags and even aluminum foil.

  So wish there was a way to upload photos as I would love to share them.

  Anyhow, these homes in the area that I live are nearly or even over $400k. In my opinion you should follow the golden rule and treat others how you would like to be treated, but in this case building a home for someone as you would have for yourself. Have the fortitude to hold the contractors accountable for the trash left behind. Seed the yard how you'd want yours done. I am ok with having to do yard work and not opposed to manual labor; however, the stuff I have come across these past few days is ASTRONOMICALLY RIDICULOUS. Now I am going to have to pay someone to aerate my yard, reseed and fertilize it as well as fill in the trench area with dirt and grass to make it more level. More money spent un-necessarily.

  I am a retired U.S. Navy veteran and while I have lived in many homes/apartments throughout the United States and overseas. This is my first experience purchasing my first home and it has left me with an extremely sour taste in my mouth regarding this builder.

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