Concern re burnt out roof on new home

[omundy]

Dear All,

We are having a new home built in Southern Walk (Ridgeway Drive). Delivery Date November. We noticed that one of the newly built homes allmost opposite our lot had the roof/front door burnt out last week!! We are naturally VERY concerned !! We have sent an email to VM Customer care and hope they reply soonest. In the meantime we wonder if anyone has seen this happen before - could it have been an electrical fire/accident? We don't think it was malicious/arson. Is this cause for concern or are we overreacting ?

Omundy

[DougG]

I would just get on Van Metre and ensure they are doing good work. If you want call the Loudoun County Development and Building and ask about current inpsection status - Building Inpsectors from the county come through at different points to ensure things are up to code, but some things do slip past them.

Go to your new house site every couple of weeks and see how things are progressing - and take pictures as its getting built!!

I highly recommend that you get a home inspector, they can find many issues, poor workmanship, errors, problems, code violations and Van Metre will need to address any issues they find.

Costs Roughly $300-450.

Have them do 2 inspections, the Inspector can come with you during your walkthroughs
1)Predrywall Inspection: Framing inspection of wood frame, wiring, plumbing
2)Postdrywall Inspection/and or final walkthrough

[mlfrank]

I happened to meet with my construction supervisor the day after the fire and he mentioned that there had been some other "fishy" things going on at that particular site/home, including theft. So, I would wonder if it has something to do with that lot in particular and someone's grudge. The way it was told to me, it seems a little much to be a coincidence. After what I heard, I was not concerned about the quality of VM's work, more concerned about vandalism and such.

[teak]

There's nothing a new homeowner can do to their new construction against theft, arson, or vandalism except having yourself or hiring a security guard to patrol your new construction. It is a risk that everyone takes when they wait on their home to be built. I think the worst thing that can happen is an arson. That can setback a home another year. Theft and vandalism are easily taken care of by the builder since it's their responsibilty until the home is completed and turned over to the new owners.

But regarding the door that burned down, sounds like an accident by the workers or an act of vandalism. I'm sure someone in Broadlands know something. You might want to check the Loudoun Co website and see if they have a way of checking police reports.

-Teak

[vacliff]

The fire is still "under investigation" and the fire marshall will not release any information about possible causes yet.
Cliff

[JenCo]

Any suggestions on a home inspector? We need one before we close in August:)