Frequently Asked Questions
Does the builder's warranty pay for lodging, meals, or moving costs if we have to leave during repairs?
Short answer: No: neither the builder nor the third-party warranty provider pays these costs.
The warranty booklet's exclusions state that the warranty does not cover "costs of shelter, transportation, food, moving, storage, or other incidental expenses related to relocation during repair, or any other costs due to loss of use, inconvenience, or annoyance." If a repair forces you to empty a room, store furniture, stay in a hotel, or travel farther to and from work, those expenses fall entirely on the homeowner, even when the underlying defect is acknowledged and repaired by the builder.
How fast does the builder have to fix a covered issue we submitted?
Short answer: There are no specific time requirements.
The warranty booklet says, "If your builder/seller fails to remedy reported defects within a reasonable time, you may contact the warranty administrator." In our case, we experienced multi-week gaps between steps and needed written follow-ups to get updates. Some minor items saw quick visits from the original contractors. Other cases, including more complex issues and even a few minor ones, remain pending or we have not heard back yet.
Our full chronology is on the Timeline page.
What construction issues have we documented in our CBH Homes build?
We have documented multiple issues observed in our 2024 CBH Homes build, including uneven flooring, drywall defects, interior door defects, flooring damage from repair work, and a disconnected fresh air intake. Each issue is described with photos and video evidence on our Issues page.
Did a structural engineer assess the home, and what was observed?
Yes. We engaged an independent structural engineer who conducted site visits and produced reports. During a follow-up site visit, the engineer documented observations including: square-edge subfloor sheathing that had been filed, screwed down at the edges, and smoothed with leveling compound; opposing edges of the same panel fastened, resulting in upward bowing at the center; wide cracks between sheathing panels, with one key test indicating an approximate gap depth of 3/4 inch; floor vibrations on both the main and upper floors; and newly installed blocking beneath the kitchen that was improperly installed.
We requested acknowledgment of multiple code violations identified in the structural engineering report, including a floor system that does not meet IRC code minimums (IRC Table R503.2.1(1)). We separately requested acknowledgment that raised ridges between subfloor panels exceed the 2-10 HBW warranty tolerance standard (a 1/4 inch ridge or depression within any 32-inch measurement). The chronology is on our Timeline page.
What are some past complaints about CBH Homes (Corey Barton Homes)?
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile and Idaho news outlets record complaints alleging that CBH Homes did not promptly address some warranty claims or construction defects. In May 2019 the BBB revoked CBH's accreditation, citing a failure to respond in a timely, good-faith manner to one homeowner's complaint (KTVB). CBH later stated they "dropped the ball" on that issue (Idaho Business Review).
Additional complaints filed with the BBB allege issues such as yard grading, flooding in backyards and crawlspaces, water intrusion, and failure to meet city-required grading or drainage specifications (Better Business Bureau).