So, my family and I decided to build our dream home with Highland Homes in Texas. We had rented old houses for years and were tired of the constant repairs, so building a new home seemed like the perfect solution. We trusted the process, even hiring our own inspector at each step. However, our dream quickly turned into a nightmare.
The issues started when the slab was poured despite problems being flagged, with no written proof, just assurances that everything was fine. The framing lumber was left sitting in mud, and the bricks delivered were covered in black stains. Highland Homes offered us $2k to sign a confidentiality agreement, but we refused. After some back and forth, they finally agreed to replace the stained bricks.
Just four months after moving in, we discovered termites infesting our walls and attic, including the aggressive Formosan kind. Experts traced this back to missing or poor soil and frame treatments. Mold soon followed, confirmed by lab tests, leading to breathing issues for our kids and my wife. The AC system also struggled to keep up due to insulation gaps, unsealed penetrations, fans blowing humid air back, and an overloaded unit exacerbating the humidity problem.
The most significant problem we faced was with the concrete slab itself. Independent engineers informed us that the foundation was porous and weak, riddled with cracks and voids that allowed water to continuously seep through. It was like finding out the very base of our new home was failing just four months after moving in.
We have now been out of that Highland Homes property for over 2.5 years, renting a place while still paying the mortgage. Our dream home, meant to be a forever residence and a place for my widowed mom to stay, has turned into a source of emotional, financial, and medical stress. In hindsight, we should have walked away, even if it meant losing the $15k deposit. It would have been a small price to pay compared to the ordeal we’ve endured.
If you’re considering building a home, my advice is simple: trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Walking away early could save you from a world of trouble and heartache down the line.