Water Leaks after 3 days rain - Builder or Insurance

InvincibleInDN · Feb 10, 2020 5:38 pm

Hi All
I recently built house (2-Storey) and moved in on Oct 2019. We all know about the rain we had last week. Due to the rain there few leaks inside the house in the ground floor (3 rooms). Initially thought its plumbing issue but it isn't. Still don't where its leaking from as the First floor has no leak at all. The guy who checked from the build said it could be roof or window leak. The maintenance manager sent email to contact the Home Insurance. Here are some pictures, but not sure its clear enough to see the damage. I don't have much experience in this situation. Anyone can shed some light on this issue. Its less than 6 months old house and the builder yet to review on the 13 weeks defects list which I have sent to them. Do I go to the Insurance or Builder now? Media RoomThe floor carpet is magically wet. Laundry room is in the other side of the wallLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Moved the Entertainment Unit to understand the total damageLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Laundry Room all ceiling cornersLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Other side ceiling corner of the Laundry roomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Other side ceiling corner of the Laundry roomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Study room - water was dripping as droplets hereThis is completely in different location than laundry and MediaroomLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Droplets of waterLike ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅

Joker · Feb 10, 2020 7:11 pm

No way insurance,he hasn't come for 13 week check,it's a builder issue has new home leaking probably first sign of decent rain,it's almost certainly a building quality issue.

forrestmount · Feb 10, 2020 8:57 pm

In my experience you need to do both, the builder needs to fix the leak but believe it or not they are not required to fix damage caused by the leak.

We had a new roof including a skylight installed on a rental house. The roofer did not screw down one sheet or silicon around the skylight.

They refused to do any more than “finish the job” I contacted the QBCC after all we had paid them insurance . They told me the contractor had no more obligation. I had to go though my home owners insurance and was out of pocket he excess .

InvincibleInDN · Feb 10, 2020 9:02 pm

Joker

No way insurance,he hasn't come for 13 week check,it's a builder issue has new home leaking probably first sign of decent rain,it's almost certainly a building quality issue.

That's what I told the Maintenance manager. He apologized and told me that he will send the team to assess the issue first

InvincibleInDN · Feb 10, 2020 9:03 pm

forrestmount

In my experience you need to do both, the builder needs to fix the leak but believe it or not they are not required to fix damage caused by the leak.

We had a new roof including a skylight installed on a rental house. The roofer did not screw down one sheet or silicon around the skylight.

They refused to do any more than “finish the job” I contacted the QBCC after all we had paid them insurance . They told me the contractor had no more obligation. I had to go though my home owners insurance and was out of pocket he excess . Pro

The builder's straight response was claim the insurance. That p*$$ed me.

MClark · Feb 11, 2020 8:07 am

You need to do both, what that will do is let the insurance fight the builder to rectify. Saves you going back and forth.
All you need to do is push them both to fix it, which it sounds you will.
MC

InvincibleInDN · Feb 11, 2020 1:48 pm

MClark

You need to do both, what that will do is let the insurance fight the builder to rectify. Saves you going back and forth.
All you need to do is push them both to fix it, which it sounds you will.
MC

I don't think Insurance push the builder. They send their contractors to fix the damage, but not sure they fix the problem. At the moment, the builder is responding. I am going to wait and check.

SaveH2O · Feb 11, 2020 1:59 pm

Any other houses the same as yours in the area?

InvincibleInDN · Feb 11, 2020 2:07 pm

SaveH2O

Any other houses the same as yours in the area?

My next neighbor has water leak thru Balcony door and the builder onsite next day morning. They promised him to fix the issue on Wednesday (today). His builder and my builder one of the popular volume builders.

Aria28 · Feb 12, 2020 10:24 pm

InvincibleInDN

MClark

You need to do both, what that will do is let the insurance fight the builder to rectify. Saves you going back and forth.
All you need to do is push them both to fix it, which it sounds you will.
MC

I don't think Insurance push the builder. They send their contractors to fix the damage, but not sure they fix the problem. At the moment, the builder is responding. I am going to wait and check.

Hi Invincible,

We have the same problem leaking somewhere but couldn’t figure out where it came from. Leaking was on the first floor carpet soaking wet and went thru down below was the front door.We just move in 1 and half months in this house.
The frustrating part was when I email management a maintenance manager reply to my email suggesting to claim from my insurance.

I want them to take the responsibilities but it looks like they just want to put there hand up.

InvincibleInDN · Feb 12, 2020 10:34 pm

Aria28

Hi Invincible,

We have the same problem leaking somewhere but couldn’t figure out where it came from. Leaking was on the first floor carpet soaking wet and went thru down below was the front door.We just move in 1 and half months in this house.
The frustrating part was when I email management a maintenance manager reply to my email suggesting to claim from my insurance.

I want them to take the responsibilities but it looks like they just want to put there hand up.

I am sorry about. Just tell them you don't have to claim insurance and it's a defect in the construction. Always CC the email conversation with management. It worked for me. Maintenance manager agreed to send someone to look at it.

building-expert · Feb 13, 2020 8:45 am

New home is under builder's warranty so it's a warranty claim issue.

MClark · Feb 13, 2020 9:35 am

InvincibleInDN

MClark

You need to do both, what that will do is let the insurance fight the builder to rectify. Saves you going back and forth.
All you need to do is push them both to fix it, which it sounds you will.
MC

I don't think Insurance push the builder. They send their contractors to fix the damage, but not sure they fix the problem. At the moment, the builder is responding. I am going to wait and check.

Thats good to hear, have some faith they have to warrant that property for a long time so im sure they will do it right.

MC

InvincibleInDN · Feb 13, 2020 10:02 am

building-expert

New home is under builder's warranty so it's a warranty claim issue.

This comment made me feel good about what I am doing.

DamNita · Feb 13, 2020 11:25 am

I would say it is a Builders Warranty for the 'structural' defect. I work in the insurance industry and yes, home insurance may cover this, however the assessor may deem it to be a structural defect as well and may decline. In both instances, your home insurance will pay for all the resultant damage. For example, the Builders Warranty will pay for the structural work, but your home insurer will pay for the damage to the carpet, tv unit, tv, etc.

InvincibleInDN · Feb 13, 2020 1:15 pm

DamNita

I would say it is a Builders Warranty for the 'structural' defect. I work in the insurance industry and yes, home insurance may cover this, however the assessor may deem it to be a structural defect as well and may decline. In both instances, your home insurance will pay for all the resultant damage. For example, the Builders Warranty will pay for the structural work, but your home insurer will pay for the damage to the carpet, tv unit, tv, etc.

Thank you for the insight. Quick question, can I claim insurance after the builder fixes the structure? Will it be late to claim?

DamNita · Feb 13, 2020 1:54 pm

I would be reporting now. You don’t have to proceed with the claim, but make a notification.