Architect and Army Corps of Engineers here.... Those are posts NOT beams. A "vertical beam" is called a post. And that "beam" in the attic is more of a floor joist that definitely looks out of place from any common sense if it is not made of steel or a glue laminated beam. Please be safe, those unanchored temporary posts could easily kick out if a strong breeze hits the second floor and lifts the house slightly!
Chad - if possible could you please reach out to this family? I’m looking at this footage and it looks very unsafe. I don’t have your experience, but their walking around like this isn’t going to collapse. I would recommend to get rid of the marble pillars and renovating the all stone fireplace. For a lighter stone…
So many people think they know structural integrity until it's time to know structural integrity. Like the old saying goes everyone wants to do Army shit until it's time to do Army shit. Hope they got that resolved that would be catastrophic if it actually collapsed and insurance companies are so Shady anymore just as shady as the so called Contractors there..
Why wasn't this discovered during the building inspection process? The City should never have finaled this house and given a certificate of occupancy. They should go to the building department in their jurisdiction and ask to see the inspection records.
I’m a builder. Don’t know what’s going on here, but as long as a engineer who designed it approved it. City inspectors will ok with it. So if the engineer approved it. It’s the engineer fault. Just look at the floor plan and it will said it right on the plan. If the plan said use 3 lvl 2x12 and it not…than it’s the builder fault
I live in Canada and my home had the same. ONE nail ( not even a screw) was holding up the main floor. And yes … it was all discovered with a water leak in a main floor shower. When the plumber went downstairs to check out the issue ( he could see as the basement was unfinished ) he said … this place needs to have an engineering company come in and assess. So here’s the deal. The home was build by a “bylaw enforcement officer “ and his brother . Essentially they had no idea how to build and figured they figured they could get away with doing a shotty job . I had inspection reports “during the build “ and one of the inspections was done by the town office. I ended up holding the town libel . Gave them an opportunity to resolve with the builder through a contractor of MY CHOICE. Tens of thousands of dollars to be sunk in to resolve. If I hadn’t have dug and read all the fine print I would have had to have all the issues fixed. Once we had a plan I had the “builder” come to the house for a brief “visit “ with tea. I suggested if he was a man of integrity and wanted his reputation to stay intact he beat resolve this issue. He thought if he showed up in his uniform I would be intimidated. NOPE. Didn’t work. He had to pay to have contractors resolve. Reach out if you need some ideas. Best of luck.
The insurance company is correct, the house has to already collapse in order to cash in the claim. This is why you have inspections before you purchase the home.
Yes my point exactly as well. Get a Homowners Inspection done PRIOR to buying and these structural issues would be discovered. Then these buyers could have bailed out from their contract BEFORE buying.
So why don't they go after the builder? The builder didn't build the home properly. Go after the builder. Didn't they have an inspector before they bought it?
My point too. Whining about her mistakes then blaming her insurance company is ridiculous and childish. She didn't know what her policy reads B4 signing and purchasing it? Something smells fishy here. 🐟
My father was a perfectionist and a brick/block & stone Mason. He had skills and knowledge to create beautiful structures, including arches, fountains, and much more. He knew what he was doing but was constantly under pressure to go faster. They wanted him to slap things together. Developers and contractors are concerned about making profits. He was underappreciated and not treated with the respect he deserved. Before he died, he was hired to teach "bricklayers" and other construction workers how to properly do the work. He was shown appreciation finally. When he was young, he was thoroughly educated for at least a year as an indentured servant. He could draw and read blueprints and so many skills. He was a true artisan. People arent getting properly educated and they have no incentive to do so. Its about doing things fast and moving on. All the individuals, whether a bsns person or a prospective home owner, should think about what they are creating. All the complaints about paying workers and people trying to get off cheap have provided a perfect storm. It is very sad because everyone loses.
So true! Bless your Dad in Heaven. ❤ There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases. Why isn't anyone mentioning that here? You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them. When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
A builder is required by law to have a licensed structural engineer (PE) do the calculation (dead weight and live weight) and stamp the design drawings. The mention of the “stone fireplace” and “cement columns” appears to be decorative weight increasing the second floor dead weight on the beam. It was done either by an unlicensed home remodel company or by the homeowner’s DIY; it must be why no lawsuit was mentioned.
Good point! "Buyer Beware"!! There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases. Why isn't anyone mentioning that here? You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them. When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
So if the couple decides to just let it go and it collapses I gotta think the cost of repairing it after versus before would be astronomical shocking that the pie graph chart guys at farmers are not interested in some settlement💵💵
@gregweigel8115 The insurance won't pay for it now because it didn't just collapse. They found the problem and put in temporary fix to keep it from collapsing. If it collapsed now, it still wouldn't be covered. They need to go after the builders and the inspector for this.
@@ARIZONANLIFE There was a long row of windows, 18' above the front door. No headers, just 2 - 2x6" wall plates nailed together with 2- 2x6" cripples between each window qn a 30' span. No beams, nothing. On top of this were the roof trusses at a 2/12 pitch and ceramic tiles. A lot of weight carried by 2- 2x6's laying flat. Incredible.
@@ARIZONANLIFE I forgot to mention that the windows were 5' long x 3' high. 5 windows in a thirty foot span. I was a contractor in IL. for a few years, call me old school; but everything i built was over-built. All my customers were and are still safe and secure in their dwellings. There's no "pride" out here in the work they do. I worked a few years out here as a punch guy. What a list i made for myself everyday, that the contractor didn't even notice on his walk thru. A 5' bathtub in a 4' bathroom? Just one.🤣🤣
@@ARIZONANLIFE There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases. Why isn't anyone mentioning that here? You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them. When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
@@richardbeee Question....owners in our condo building are putting in balcony windows now and the buildings were built in 1972. I thought windows carried weight like you were saying, so shouldn't the city inspectors have come out to approve these windows. People are enclosing their balcony's on the sides and front.
@@nodangles6983 more if I had a million dollar house I wouldn't go running to the local news investigates to try to help fight the Insurance companies.
Home inspections (at least when I bought my home) don't include structural engineers. He simply checked to see if the electrical outlets worked and if water came out of the faucet when he turned it on. Buyer beware!!!!
I honestly, like lots and lots of Americans, will not be able to buy until those prices at least " at least will come down to 70% " those investors are very bad people, besides most of Californian they sold their house running away from the corrupt State of California and came to Phoenix area and "jacked up the prices paying CASH 70-80% above the value" that is very bad. beside the interest rate is very high 7% that is ridiculous, AND the inflation- No jobs- high gas prices- high food prices, in conclusion I honestly will not even think of buying or renting until thing gose back to before 2019.
I think they can install the correct size beam next to the one that is failing. I've seen videos on TH-cam where they do that. They will have to pay for it themselves because the Insurance company has clearly protected themselves from this problem. However, they might have a lawsuit against the city because the building inspector didn't do his job right. That's what the building inspector's office is there for, especially something as critical as a major support beam not being up to code. But finding a lawyer interested in such a small case will be difficult. I bet they can get the correct beam installed for $20k or $30k and the lawyers fees might make it not worthwhile to sue.
A steel beam costs $100 to $400 per foot to install or $1,200 to $4,200 on average for residential construction. Replacing a load-bearing wall with a support beam costs $4,000 to $10,000. Steel I-beam prices are $6 to $18 per foot for just the materials. If you go with LVL $50 -$200 per foot INSTALLED. ( these are current 2023 prices )
This is true, the builder or inspector should be liable. How is the insurance liable for this when their policy explain exactly what it covers. They just want a handout from their insurancem
Yes, follow thus above. The builder, their general liability, the architect, and/ or the engineer for the project may have liability. Go to building authority that approved the building and get all permits and, if possible, copies of the plans as well.
That horizontal beam over the garage looks undersized. I wonder if the incorrect one was used and it went past the inspectors and everyone involved in the build. If possible they should get a hold of the plans and see if it matches what was put on there. Maybe it was the engineer's fault if he recommended that size that's installed. I have seen recent new builds where they are skimping out on beams. Some beans were sagging and not allowing the sliding door to close before the drywall was even up. Scary stuff.
I had a similar situation up in Cave Creek. House came off the foundation, Insurance wouldn't help. There was a 5 inch gap between the ground and base of the wall. I was so lucky I called Ramjack, they did a great job.
Sue your insurance company, this is a water intrusion claim, they are liable. The beam above garage door has water damage . The severe water damage has compromised it's structural capacity and is no longer capable of carrying the intended load. Good Luck.
Most insurance policies that include Collapse coverage, means the property MUST be sudden and HAVE collapsed in order to trigger the coverage. It sounds to me that the home was not properly built to begin with, or earth movement/ earthquake damage has occurred. If I were the homeowner I would find out who the builder was, check States statues of limitations and file a claim against the builder.
@@michaelkendall662 , exactly, note my last sentence, "Check the States statutes and go after the builder, and collect from them". This includes the architect, building engineer all parties involved in the design and building of the house.
Well, this just solidifies my feelings. Most of these high-priced homes are not worth the cost of millions, but I say this if you have that type of money, you should have the money to pay for the damage! Sorry for their issues, but they're humans who don't have a place to live! ❤️
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases. Why isn't anyone mentioning that here? You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them. When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
I had a home inspection done. Home inspection stated there were clean outs. T'wern't none. To his credit he sent emergency plumber 2x but still cost me to have sidewalk excavated and scoped to find where the leak was. $2500.
@@truthbtruth8559 It looks like they just started seeing the problems with the construction. If the home wasn't settling when they purchased it then how would they know an undersized beam was hiding inside the walls?
An Architect or an Engineer had to stamp the plans, if the beams were undersized its the engineers fault, if the beams were shown on the plans the correct size but the contractor or builder put the wrong size beam in its the builders fault and the inspectors fault for not catching the wrong sized beams were installed. Somebody had to stamp the plans that's where you start and work down the list. Its been my experience that once you discover a problem like this the rest of the house is suspect.
So many comments looking to blame the professionals (building inspectors, city engineers, architects, engineers) but in reality, most construction defects are the result of workmanship during construction. The house apparently sat vacant for 5 years (2006-2011) before being foreclosed and conveyed ultimately to these owners. Clearly, the header beam over the garage door has suffered long term water damage (from a leaking deck) and it can no longer carry its design load. The idea that the beam is undersized and is only failing now after 17 years of service is absurd.
Couple of questions, is there a record of the inspections made by the jurisdiction? Who made the inspections or approved the installed beam? Are the original building plans available for inspection? Was the beam changed by the builder? Who then is responsible for the cost of their repairs?
To me this is a design issue. The architect, structural engineers who put there stamp of approval made errors in there calculations. Who ever made the come aka home builder should at least look at it and most likely fix it.
The same thing happened to my building, and the insurance just denied it anyway, claiming "Earth movement" isn't covered, and this happened due to an instant water leak. Still, they relied on "earth movement" clauses. The only solution here is to bite the bullet and pay RamJack Arizona to fix the foundation and then go through all the repair processes. If the owners are seeing this, hire RamJack to jack up the foundation with concrete pillars, and it will stop sinking, then repair what you can afford from there.
Inspector only compare drawings to field conditions. If the architect called out for that beam then the inspector signed off. Several issues at play, 1) did the architect call out for the right size beam, 2) did the builder use the right size beam or 3) did the added weight of her tile that she added exceed the calculation for the supporting beam. Insurance is not going to cover this im shocked she even tried. Not too complicated to fix this though, a properly size steel beam and corresponding support columns/footings can be added.
As a former employee of Farmers, I do truly sympathize with the homeowners... HOWEVER... the contract is crystal clear.... It is NOT a collapse until it actually happens.. Please please please read over your policy top-to-bottom.. Your answers will always be in there... most homeowners when they call in do not read it over and most of my calls were denied because it is clearly stated in their policies.
if you are a homeowner and are thinking about filing a claim with your homeowners insurance please, NEVER file a claim on your own. Call a public adjuster. Had this family called a public adjuster prior to filing a claim that could have known their chances or even had farmers pay.
Our home has the same framing layout as described here. The County would not issue a building permit without plans stamped by a state licensed PE. The company suppling the floor and roof system provided the required documents. In our build the beam above their temporary supports is a 4 section 14" Microlam LVL beam 36' long. Just one steel support column was needed. This was easy enough to install during the build. It cost a few bucks more compared to what was done here. Good luck, to reverse engineer this would cost a small fortune.
The insurance company, rather let the house collapse completely instead of remedy the problem of which is a whole lot more cost-effective then building a new house from scratch
We had a pinhole water leak in the kitchen wall. Don't know how long it was going on before it finally started coming out onto the floor. It wiped out two walls and all the cabinets got wet from the back side. We had to re do the whole kitchen and cabinets. USAA was the home owners insurance, in a Hoa Community. They pointed fingers to each other but being inside the house should be the homeowner insurance. So all the year's we paid USAA they failed and screwed us. To get a lawyer would cost as much as to fix it if we won several years down the road. THANK YOU USAA FOR SCREWING US FOR $30,000.00.
Why talk about the damages from it being built but not mention the company that built the home. If insurance won’t do it the customer home builder should be held accountable for that.
Proof positive that *just because a home cost a million does not mean it's worth a million.* Shoddy construction does not equate to an accidental, sudden collapse.
Ins. Co.’s always find a way to screw you over. I won’t go into detail but I was a home owner who got bent over, luckily I sold my hse as is, still made a lil $$
Too dangerous to use. ? Yet she stands on it for the video.. Very Easy fix. You are lucky the BEAM is in your garage and already exposed. Jack up that beam 1" and put a sister beam on each side , bolt it in and you're going to go. NO MORE THAN 10 GRAND. 🍷 100 Grand ? No way .
Why in the world would she think something NOT covered by her policy should be covered? The insurance industry is highly regulated by the states. They cannot legally pay out a claim that isn't covered. This is to protect the financial security of reserves expected to pay legit claims. If she wants money, then sue the architect, construction company, and county inspectors.
WHEN YOU SIGN UP, AN INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TELL YOU THAT EVERYTHING IS COVERED. THEN WHEN YOU NEED HELP? INSURANCE COMPANIES MAKE EXCUSES NOT TO COVER YOUR NEEDS. THE THING TO DO IS TO SUE THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY’LL PAY YOU.
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases. Why isn't anyone mentioning that here? You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them. When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
Yes homes are inspected before a purchase but the inspections are a joke. The house im living now was inspected and they said everything is good to go. I decided to have a roofer come out and look at the roof to see how much life was left in the roof. Turns out the roof was shot. If you really want to know how good the house is you need to bring in individual trades and have it inspected that way. Dont use a single home inspector
You couldn't see the weight bearing beam by the time the house was ready to move into. It was covered up behind the sheetrock ceiling. This should have been caught during the construction phase where the county or city sends their building inspector out during the various phases of the construction process. They inspect the foundation, then the framing, plumbing inspection, electrical inspection, etc. Those are done before the walls and what is contained behind them are covered up. A homeowners Inspection report is just checking to make sure your electrical outlets are working, plumbing works, appliances work etc.
My younger sister in Lincoln Park West Chicago is taking a number of people to court over her house almost collapsing. Not due to shoddy work like this, but because the house being demolished next door caused an issue. The contactor that was hired by the next door neighbor damaged the foundation of her house by not following to blueprints, and now is declaring bankruptcy because of the lawsuit my sister and brother in law filed...with several structural PE assessments. My sister's house collapsed on one side.
This totally scares me! I have friends who live in a condo building that is experiencing this same thing in Scottsdale. The condos were built in the 70s, and it has been discovered that the underground garage is collapsing, so now they have to have the same type of beams holding it up. There are at least two sections of the underground garage that have these beams holding up the garage, and it has been this way for over 6 months. People still live in the building and they say it's safe to do so. Above the garage is the courtyard but the garage walls connect to the buildings. So why would it collapse when there is nothing really weighing on it?? . They say its safe, is it??? This cost to repair is outrageous. Also, can owners sell units in this building with this going on? I mean it has been known by the HOA members for over 8 years that this was a problem, nothing was done until about a year ago, but yet condo units were sold there. Why would anyone buy there with an issue like this and an huge assessment coming, unless it was not disclosed?? I have never see any notice from the city that this issue in the garage was inspected either. or a notice that it is being repaired. Shouldn't there be a noticed of inspection by the city be posted on the walls or something for all to see? What are the laws in Scottsdale anyway when something like this happens?
Not likely. I wouldn’t be surprised if farmers now requires the proper beams installed before a potential loss. if not farmers could cancel their policy if the work isn’t completed.
@@truthbtruth8559 I had my roof replaced about nine years ago. I just recently discovered that the roof was not sealed from the elements outside. So all these years rainwater has been falling into my house behind the wall of a bedroom closet. It has rotted the wood out and caused some structural damage. Because of the statute of limitations I'm outside of the time that I can bring a lawsuit. I'm worried that this is happening in other parts of my house that I can't see unless I tear the walls down.
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases. Why isn't anyone mentioning that here? You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them. When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄 (my original post)
This is tragic! It's such a beautiful home, but please STOP saying the Architect had something to do with this. The structural engineers that you said you called are the ones that determine beam size and does calculations. It's completely disheartening to hear you continue to say the architect when the Architect is already undermined enough by other people in the field as well as with the public. The structural engineer should take responsibility for his/her own work, especially since they went to school for it!!!!!
That's why we have building codes and inspections. The insurance company is going to investigate and refuse to pay because of "improper installation " its in the fine print. Your house doesn't meet the federal minimum standards for building codes..bummer man..
They have money so fix it don’t try to blame it on the insurance company that they have to pay for it he should’ve caught this before you bought the house so live with it
What a dumb insurance company!! Wouldn't you think they would want to prevent a even larger, potentially fatal collapse!!! Wouldn't that end up costing them a lot more!!!!
Architect and Army Corps of Engineers here.... Those are posts NOT beams. A "vertical beam" is called a post. And that "beam" in the attic is more of a floor joist that definitely looks out of place from any common sense if it is not made of steel or a glue laminated beam. Please be safe, those unanchored temporary posts could easily kick out if a strong breeze hits the second floor and lifts the house slightly!
I was so confused when they were saying beams then they showed posts 😅
Chad - if possible could you please reach out to this family? I’m looking at this footage and it looks very unsafe. I don’t have your experience, but their walking around like this isn’t going to collapse. I would recommend to get rid of the marble pillars and renovating the all stone fireplace. For a lighter stone…
So many people think they know structural integrity until it's time to know structural integrity. Like the old saying goes everyone wants to do Army shit until it's time to do Army shit. Hope they got that resolved that would be catastrophic if it actually collapsed and insurance companies are so Shady anymore just as shady as the so called Contractors there..
Why wasn't this discovered during the building inspection process? The City should never have finaled this house and given a certificate of occupancy. They should go to the building department in their jurisdiction and ask to see the inspection records.
Yes, this error should been found when the house was built.
Lazy government worker? $$
@@lesliegaskill650 Exactly 💯
I’m a builder. Don’t know what’s going on here, but as long as a engineer who designed it approved it. City inspectors will ok with it. So if the engineer approved it. It’s the engineer fault. Just look at the floor plan and it will said it right on the plan. If the plan said use 3 lvl 2x12 and it not…than it’s the builder fault
I live in Canada and my home had the same. ONE nail ( not even a screw) was holding up the main floor. And yes … it was all discovered with a water leak in a main floor shower. When the plumber went downstairs to check out the issue ( he could see as the basement was unfinished ) he said … this place needs to have an engineering company come in and assess.
So here’s the deal. The home was build by a “bylaw enforcement officer “ and his brother . Essentially they had no idea how to build and figured they figured they could get away with doing a shotty job . I had inspection reports “during the build “ and one of the inspections was done by the town office.
I ended up holding the town libel . Gave them an opportunity to resolve with the builder through a contractor of MY CHOICE.
Tens of thousands of dollars to be sunk in to resolve. If I hadn’t have dug and read all the fine print I would have had to have all the issues fixed.
Once we had a plan I had the “builder” come to the house for a brief “visit “ with tea. I suggested if he was a man of integrity and wanted his reputation to stay intact he beat resolve this issue. He thought if he showed up in his uniform I would be intimidated.
NOPE. Didn’t work. He had to pay to have contractors resolve.
Reach out if you need some ideas. Best of luck.
What? No prior Home Owners Inspection before buying using an Independent Inspector Contractor?
😑
The insurance company is correct, the house has to already collapse in order to cash in the claim. This is why you have inspections before you purchase the home.
Yes my point exactly as well.
Get a Homowners Inspection done PRIOR to buying and these structural issues would be discovered. Then these buyers could have bailed out from their contract BEFORE buying.
The collapse most likely will have to be caused by a covered peril, not a poor design.
Exactly
they have the money so .... pread the wealth.
Tear the top floor off and settle for a single story.
Now that's making lemonade.
I would NOT buy a new home in arizona. So many people have problems with build quality here
as a resident of 13 years I have had 0 issues
You are correct. Houses in az are crap for the most part.
@@erichyde4965 it really depends on the area you live in
I tried building and the ground is sand, very course sand and it goes down for ever. You need to truck in actual dirt
So why don't they go after the builder? The builder didn't build the home properly. Go after the builder. Didn't they have an inspector before they bought it?
My point too. Whining about her mistakes then blaming her insurance company is ridiculous and childish.
She didn't know what her policy reads B4 signing and purchasing it?
Something smells fishy here. 🐟
Most likely the added tile after they purchased the home is playing a role in this.
Builder is probably out of the business,bankruptcy.
My father was a perfectionist and a brick/block & stone Mason. He had skills and knowledge to create beautiful structures, including arches, fountains, and much more. He knew what he was doing but was constantly under pressure to go faster. They wanted him to slap things together. Developers and contractors are concerned about making profits. He was underappreciated and not treated with the respect he deserved. Before he died, he was hired to teach "bricklayers" and other construction workers how to properly do the work. He was shown appreciation finally. When he was young, he was thoroughly educated for at least a year as an indentured servant. He could draw and read blueprints and so many skills. He was a true artisan. People arent getting properly educated and they have no incentive to do so. Its about doing things fast and moving on.
All the individuals, whether a bsns person or a prospective home owner, should think about what they are creating. All the complaints about paying workers and people trying to get off cheap have provided a perfect storm.
It is very sad because everyone loses.
I understand perfectly. I hope you read my comments to the other person. I wouldn't buy a place in AZ unless i built it!
So true! Bless your Dad in Heaven. ❤
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases.
Why isn't anyone mentioning that here?
You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them.
When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
Yep!
A builder is required by law to have a licensed structural engineer (PE) do the calculation (dead weight and live weight) and stamp the design drawings. The mention of the “stone fireplace” and “cement columns” appears to be decorative weight increasing the second floor dead weight on the beam. It was done either by an unlicensed home remodel company or by the homeowner’s DIY; it must be why no lawsuit was mentioned.
Guess that’s why it was vacant for years Huh?
Good point! "Buyer Beware"!!
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases.
Why isn't anyone mentioning that here?
You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them.
When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
She should sue whoever sold the house to her for not disclosing the damages and selling her an unsafe home.
You want your insurance company to pay to prevent a flaw in your home? Read the policy. If insurance companies did this, they'd go out of business.
So if the couple decides to just let it go and it collapses I gotta think the cost of repairing it after versus before would be astronomical shocking that the pie graph chart guys at farmers are not interested in some settlement💵💵
A."flaw"??...ugh it looks like a little more then a flaw!!! Its potentially a flaw that's lethal!!!
@gregweigel8115 The insurance won't pay for it now because it didn't just collapse. They found the problem and put in temporary fix to keep it from collapsing. If it collapsed now, it still wouldn't be covered. They need to go after the builders and the inspector for this.
They need to name the builder and inspectors.
$100,000 is just the tip of the iceberg when they start tearing the place apart and find all of the other construction defects.
Typical construction in AZ. I've seen worse passed.
@@ARIZONANLIFE There was a long row of windows, 18' above the front door. No headers, just 2 - 2x6" wall plates nailed together with 2- 2x6" cripples between each window qn a 30' span. No beams, nothing. On top of this were the roof trusses at a 2/12 pitch and ceramic tiles. A lot of weight carried by 2- 2x6's laying flat. Incredible.
@@ARIZONANLIFE I forgot to mention that the windows were 5' long x 3' high. 5 windows in a thirty foot span. I was a contractor in IL. for a few years, call me old school; but everything i built was over-built. All my customers were and are still safe and secure in their dwellings. There's no "pride" out here in the work they do. I worked a few years out here as a punch guy. What a list i made for myself everyday, that the contractor didn't even notice on his walk thru. A 5' bathtub in a 4' bathroom? Just one.🤣🤣
Yes, see my comment
@@ARIZONANLIFE
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases.
Why isn't anyone mentioning that here?
You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them.
When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
@@richardbeee Question....owners in our condo building are putting in balcony windows now and the buildings were built in 1972. I thought windows carried weight like you were saying, so shouldn't the city inspectors have come out to approve these windows. People are enclosing their balcony's on the sides and front.
Im so sad, a million dollar house has problems. That's really a problem that I think most of us can relate too
You might be able TO relate someday, but first you'll have TO stop feeling sorry for yourself.
@@nodangles6983 more if I had a million dollar house I wouldn't go running to the local news investigates to try to help fight the Insurance companies.
Get back to me when you have that million.
Not their problem you're poor.
@@nodangles6983check mate. 😂
Sorry. It's a construction defect. Go after the builder. It's not the insurance company's problem.
Well, Farmer's, you strike again. Lucky for you if it collapses, the family won't be filing a claim. This is heart breaking for this family.
Home inspections (at least when I bought my home) don't include structural engineers.
He simply checked to see if the electrical outlets worked and if water came out of the faucet when he turned it on.
Buyer beware!!!!
This home was a new build. Which is why there should have been a structural inspection. This happens with the builder, not the buyer.
Seems they have a claim against builder and/or home inspector that missed it.
Lesson learned. Don’t touch it move out and enjoy the house coming down
Rich problems!
the face of the woman is collapsing as well... 😂😂😂😂
But her $12k boob job and $4k lip job is intact.
You may get old some day.
Insurance companies always got a loop hole!
I honestly, like lots and lots of Americans, will not be able to buy until those prices at least " at least will come down to 70% " those investors are very bad people, besides most of Californian they sold their house running away from the corrupt State of California and came to Phoenix area and "jacked up the prices paying CASH 70-80% above the value" that is very bad. beside the interest rate is very high 7% that is ridiculous, AND the inflation- No jobs- high gas prices- high food prices, in conclusion I honestly will not even think of buying or renting until thing gose back to before 2019.
I think they can install the correct size beam next to the one that is failing. I've seen videos on TH-cam where they do that. They will have to pay for it themselves because the Insurance company has clearly protected themselves from this problem. However, they might have a lawsuit against the city because the building inspector didn't do his job right. That's what the building inspector's office is there for, especially something as critical as a major support beam not being up to code. But finding a lawyer interested in such a small case will be difficult. I bet they can get the correct beam installed for $20k or $30k and the lawyers fees might make it not worthwhile to sue.
A steel beam costs $100 to $400 per foot to install or $1,200 to $4,200 on average for residential construction. Replacing a load-bearing wall with a support beam costs $4,000 to $10,000. Steel I-beam prices are $6 to $18 per foot for just the materials. If you go with LVL $50 -$200 per foot INSTALLED. ( these are current 2023 prices )
It will much cheaper to fix it than to hire a lawyer. You can bet the engineer who did this will find all kinds of reasons in defense.
😢so sorry that you are having this disastrous thing to have happened to your beautiful home. hope somehow things turn around in your favor.
House built in 2005. This is water intrusion claim. Look at severe water damage above garage door. Insurance is liable.
Original owners, general contractor may still be liable. If not, she could skip a few cosmetic adjustments and treatments 😅
This is true, the builder or inspector should be liable. How is the insurance liable for this when their policy explain exactly what it covers. They just want a handout from their insurancem
😂😂
@@lylecoglianese1645 you've got the right to your immature opinion, and that's mine😓
Farmers and any other insurance companies are alike. Figuring out a way not to honor the policy.
She needs to lawyer up with an attorney and the building company who made the house.........
Yes, follow thus above. The builder, their general liability, the architect, and/ or the engineer for the project may have liability. Go to building authority that approved the building and get all permits and, if possible, copies of the plans as well.
Neat! I love that this is happening
🤣
How absolutely heartbreaking!!
The land that was raped to build that monstrosity, now that's heartbreaking. Her fake lips are heartbreaking.
@@kitchenerleslie6177 Absolutely 💯
That horizontal beam over the garage looks undersized. I wonder if the incorrect one was used and it went past the inspectors and everyone involved in the build. If possible they should get a hold of the plans and see if it matches what was put on there. Maybe it was the engineer's fault if he recommended that size that's installed. I have seen recent new builds where they are skimping out on beams. Some beans were sagging and not allowing the sliding door to close before the drywall was even up. Scary stuff.
I had a similar situation up in Cave Creek. House came off the foundation, Insurance wouldn't help. There was a 5 inch gap between the ground and base of the wall. I was so lucky I called Ramjack, they did a great job.
Sue your insurance company, this is a water intrusion claim, they are liable. The beam above garage door has water damage . The severe water damage has compromised it's structural capacity and is no longer capable of carrying the intended load. Good Luck.
The first 100 guest house party made the gurders give.
You needed the $2 million dollar house for that type of stuff.
Go back to whoever inspected the house. The inspector should have caught this. Go after the inspector!
Most insurance policies that include Collapse coverage, means the property MUST be sudden and HAVE collapsed in order to trigger the coverage. It sounds to me that the home was not properly built to begin with, or earth movement/ earthquake damage has occurred. If I were the homeowner I would find out who the builder was, check States statues of limitations and file a claim against the builder.
this is caused by a STRUCTURAL design problem not some act of nature or shifting ground...go back to the RESPONSIBLE party and collect from them
@@michaelkendall662 , exactly, note my last sentence, "Check the States statutes and go after the builder, and collect from them". This includes the architect, building engineer all parties involved in the design and building of the house.
Unless you get a good inspection, buying a house is like playing Russian roulette, even if it's a new house.
Well, this just solidifies my feelings. Most of these high-priced homes are not worth the cost of millions, but I say this if you have that type of money, you should have the money to pay for the damage! Sorry for their issues, but they're humans who don't have a place to live! ❤️
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases.
Why isn't anyone mentioning that here?
You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them.
When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
I had a home inspection done. Home inspection stated there were clean outs. T'wern't none. To his credit he sent emergency plumber 2x but still cost me to have sidewalk excavated and scoped to find where the leak was. $2500.
@@truthbtruth8559 It looks like they just started seeing the problems with the construction. If the home wasn't settling when they purchased it then how would they know an undersized beam was hiding inside the walls?
An Architect or an Engineer had to stamp the plans, if the beams were undersized its the engineers fault, if the beams were shown on the plans the correct size but the contractor or builder put the wrong size beam in its the builders fault and the inspectors fault for not catching the wrong sized beams were installed. Somebody had to stamp the plans that's where you start and work down the list. Its been my experience that once you discover a problem like this the rest of the house is suspect.
Rigorous inspections? AZ has some of the softest building codes in the country.
When they said, collapse...there is no need to explain further.
😂😂😂 you built on MOON DUST… your supposed to build on ROCK
So many comments looking to blame the professionals (building inspectors, city engineers, architects, engineers) but in reality, most construction defects are the result of workmanship during construction. The house apparently sat vacant for 5 years (2006-2011) before being foreclosed and conveyed ultimately to these owners. Clearly, the header beam over the garage door has suffered long term water damage (from a leaking deck) and it can no longer carry its design load. The idea that the beam is undersized and is only failing now after 17 years of service is absurd.
It’s not a surprise, horrible I would look into that builder 😢
Call the Property Brothers!!
Couple of questions, is there a record of the inspections made by the jurisdiction? Who made the inspections or approved the installed beam? Are the original building plans available for inspection? Was the beam changed by the builder? Who then is responsible for the cost of their repairs?
To me this is a design issue. The architect, structural engineers who put there stamp of approval made errors in there calculations. Who ever made the come aka home builder should at least look at it and most likely fix it.
Umm if your house survives a flood and everyone else gets flooded, so you get the insurance too?
The same thing happened to my building, and the insurance just denied it anyway, claiming "Earth movement" isn't covered, and this happened due to an instant water leak. Still, they relied on "earth movement" clauses. The only solution here is to bite the bullet and pay RamJack Arizona to fix the foundation and then go through all the repair processes. If the owners are seeing this, hire RamJack to jack up the foundation with concrete pillars, and it will stop sinking, then repair what you can afford from there.
Inspector only compare drawings to field conditions. If the architect called out for that beam then the inspector signed off. Several issues at play, 1) did the architect call out for the right size beam, 2) did the builder use the right size beam or 3) did the added weight of her tile that she added exceed the calculation for the supporting beam.
Insurance is not going to cover this im shocked she even tried. Not too complicated to fix this though, a properly size steel beam and corresponding support columns/footings can be added.
As a former employee of Farmers, I do truly sympathize with the homeowners... HOWEVER... the contract is crystal clear.... It is NOT a collapse until it actually happens.. Please please please read over your policy top-to-bottom.. Your answers will always be in there... most homeowners when they call in do not read it over and most of my calls were denied because it is clearly stated in their policies.
if you are a homeowner and are thinking about filing a claim with your homeowners insurance please, NEVER file a claim on your own. Call a public adjuster. Had this family called a public adjuster prior to filing a claim that could have known their chances or even had farmers pay.
Find out who the inspectors were who inspected the property !!!
Go to the zoning board.
Seems the issue is they didn't hire the right people to ensure the house would be structural sound.
Our home has the same framing layout as described here. The County would not issue a building permit without plans stamped by a state licensed PE. The company suppling the floor and roof system provided the required documents.
In our build the beam above their temporary supports is a 4 section 14" Microlam LVL beam 36' long. Just one steel support column was needed. This was easy enough to install during the build. It cost a few bucks more compared to what was done here. Good luck, to reverse engineer this would cost a small fortune.
inspector needs to be held accountable
Rich people get over it
Wow...what a Catch 22 in that insurance write-up!
Farmers is kinda like the general rules of a Casino, "The house never loses!"
The insurance company, rather let the house collapse completely instead of remedy the problem of which is a whole lot more cost-effective then building a new house from scratch
We had a pinhole water leak in the kitchen wall. Don't know how long it was going on before it finally started coming out onto the floor. It wiped out two walls and all the cabinets got wet from the back side. We had to re do the whole kitchen and cabinets. USAA was the home owners insurance, in a Hoa Community. They pointed fingers to each other but being inside the house should be the homeowner insurance. So all the year's we paid USAA they failed and screwed us. To get a lawyer would cost as much as to fix it if we won several years down the road. THANK YOU USAA FOR SCREWING US FOR $30,000.00.
Had 15 k in damages due to a weather storm. Got 7.5k ! 40 years of paying home owners insurance.
Why talk about the damages from it being built but not mention the company that built the home. If insurance won’t do it the customer home builder should be held accountable for that.
Proof positive that *just because a home cost a million does not mean it's worth a million.* Shoddy construction does not equate to an accidental, sudden collapse.
Ins. Co.’s always find a way to screw you over. I won’t go into detail but I was a home owner who got bent over, luckily I sold my hse as is, still made a lil $$
common sense tells me they should tear down the parts with the fireplace and columns, they look tacky not impressive ,not worth the weight. weight
Too dangerous to use. ? Yet she stands on it for the video.. Very Easy fix. You are lucky the BEAM is in your garage and already exposed. Jack up that beam 1" and put a sister beam on each side , bolt it in and you're going to go.
NO MORE THAN 10 GRAND. 🍷 100 Grand ? No way
.
Why in the world would she think something NOT covered by her policy should be covered? The insurance industry is highly regulated by the states. They cannot legally pay out a claim that isn't covered. This is to protect the financial security of reserves expected to pay legit claims.
If she wants money, then sue the architect, construction company, and county inspectors.
WHEN YOU SIGN UP, AN INSURANCE COMPANY WILL TELL YOU THAT EVERYTHING IS COVERED.
THEN WHEN YOU NEED HELP? INSURANCE COMPANIES MAKE EXCUSES NOT TO COVER YOUR NEEDS.
THE THING TO DO IS TO SUE THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY’LL PAY YOU.
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases.
Why isn't anyone mentioning that here?
You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them.
When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄
Yes homes are inspected before a purchase but the inspections are a joke. The house im living now was inspected and they said everything is good to go. I decided to have a roofer come out and look at the roof to see how much life was left in the roof. Turns out the roof was shot. If you really want to know how good the house is you need to bring in individual trades and have it inspected that way. Dont use a single home inspector
You couldn't see the weight bearing beam by the time the house was ready to move into. It was covered up behind the sheetrock ceiling. This should have been caught during the construction phase where the county or city sends their building inspector out during the various phases of the construction process. They inspect the foundation, then the framing, plumbing inspection, electrical inspection, etc. Those are done before the walls and what is contained behind them are covered up. A homeowners Inspection report is just checking to make sure your electrical outlets are working, plumbing works, appliances work etc.
Call the contractor who built your home!!!
My younger sister in Lincoln Park West Chicago is taking a number of people to court over her house almost collapsing. Not due to shoddy work like this, but because the house being demolished next door caused an issue. The contactor that was hired by the next door neighbor damaged the foundation of her house by not following to blueprints, and now is declaring bankruptcy because of the lawsuit my sister and brother in law filed...with several structural PE assessments. My sister's house collapsed on one side.
I live in Mesa and haven't had the issue with my house. Knock on wood.
Somebody was asleep at the wheel.
Superstition, the name should of gave a hint now what about the rest of the home's in that area & who built them, pretty bad for the owner's
This totally scares me! I have friends who live in a condo building that is experiencing this same thing in Scottsdale. The condos were built in the 70s, and it has been discovered that the underground garage is collapsing, so now they have to have the same type of beams holding it up. There are at least two sections of the underground garage that have these beams holding up the garage, and it has been this way for over 6 months. People still live in the building and they say it's safe to do so. Above the garage is the courtyard but the garage walls connect to the buildings. So why would it collapse when there is nothing really weighing on it?? . They say its safe, is it??? This cost to repair is outrageous.
Also, can owners sell units in this building with this going on? I mean it has been known by the HOA members for over 8 years that this was a problem, nothing was done until about a year ago, but yet condo units were sold there. Why would anyone buy there with an issue like this and an huge assessment coming, unless it was not disclosed?? I have never see any notice from the city that this issue in the garage was inspected either. or a notice that it is being repaired. Shouldn't there be a noticed of inspection by the city be posted on the walls or something for all to see? What are the laws in Scottsdale anyway when something like this happens?
Champlain Towers, Florida collapsed during the early hours. A few people managed to get out, 98 died.
I know which complex this IS and it’s very sad. 😢
I wonder if it DOES collapse if this can be a lawsuit with Farmers insurance
Not likely. I wouldn’t be surprised if farmers now requires the proper beams installed before a potential loss. if not farmers could cancel their policy if the work isn’t completed.
Even the roof is sagging in the middle, the house might be toast. They need to sue the county, or most likely the engineering firm.
A 2M home and only 100t to fix the problem? Go to your bank or government for a home improvement loan and get the problem solved!
I wonder if she can bring a lawsuit to the home builder.
Statutes of Limitations only last a few years. Depends on how long ago this problem started.
Home built in 2005.
@@truthbtruth8559 I had my roof replaced about nine years ago. I just recently discovered that the roof was not sealed from the elements outside. So all these years rainwater has been falling into my house behind the wall of a bedroom closet. It has rotted the wood out and caused some structural damage. Because of the statute of limitations I'm outside of the time that I can bring a lawsuit. I'm worried that this is happening in other parts of my house that I can't see unless I tear the walls down.
@@giovannicherico3837 OH that's heartbreaking ! Yes the statutes run out. I wish they were much longer as they should be.
That’s the reason is a lot of regulations in California and the prices are way too expensive
Shire people problems are so sad
Cheapest contractors are the best
Go after the builders/developers insurance under their GL’S completed operations! Usually you can go back 7 years, but you may be able to sue!
Where's the BUILDER??!! Too scary
Wow !! That sucks not to be covered it doesn’t make sense!
At least you have that hot Arizona breeze blowing in your face ..😲
😶
@@truthbtruth8559 they say humor is the best medicine...
Wow!
You only discover how good your insurance is when you make a claim!
There's a 40+ year old thing called 'Homeowners Inspection Report' or similar we use all across the USA and Canada PRIOR to closing on Home purchases.
Why isn't anyone mentioning that here?
You can't tell me this AZ owner didn't know about them.
When you reach a million dollar home category, it's a painfully obvious given. 🙄 (my original post)
Sad, and it's a $1,000,000 home, too, even sadder😢😮
This is tragic! It's such a beautiful home, but please STOP saying the Architect had something to do with this. The structural engineers that you said you called are the ones that determine beam size and does calculations. It's completely disheartening to hear you continue to say the architect when the Architect is already undermined enough by other people in the field as well as with the public. The structural engineer should take responsibility for his/her own work, especially since they went to school for it!!!!!
That's why we have building codes and inspections.
The insurance company is going to investigate and refuse to pay because of "improper installation " its in the fine print.
Your house doesn't meet the federal minimum standards for building codes..bummer man..
The inspector didn't do their job, so the city or county should have caught it. The builder didn't do what they were supposed to do.
They have money so fix it don’t try to blame it on the insurance company that they have to pay for it he should’ve caught this before you bought the house so live with it
Sad nice home
thankfully they don't look like they're roughing it either.
What a dumb insurance company!! Wouldn't you think they would want to prevent a even larger, potentially fatal collapse!!! Wouldn't that end up costing them a lot more!!!!
They are posts not “vertical beams”. They should be going after the builder and architect.
Who built it?????
Exactly
where they suppose to live when it collapses? it would be to late if the house collapse