Utah Dream Homes Turn Nightmare as New Build Estates Crumble and Sink
A seemingly idyllic neighbourhood of 21 newly constructed homes in Utah is rapidly falling into disrepair, leaving young families distraught and fearing for their safety. Residents in the Winn Ridge subdivision, located in Nephi, approximately 137 kilometres south of Salt Lake City, are witnessing alarming cracks appear across their walls, with some houses visibly sinking into the ground.
The dream of owning a brand-new family home has soured for many, transforming into a source of immense stress and financial worry. One couple, Edgar and Chelsie Rios, invested a significant $700,000 in their new property in November 2022. However, the extent of the structural damage has now forced them to vacate their home, a devastating outcome for a family who envisioned a long-term future there.
“We worry about wires being pulled and starting a fire or gas lines breaking, pipes breaking,” Edgar Rios expressed to local media, highlighting the tangible safety concerns plaguing the community. Chelsie Rios described the emotional toll of watching her family’s new house deteriorate. “This was our house. We expected to be here for a while,” she stated, her voice heavy with emotion. “I have a hard time going inside and going in my kids’ rooms. It makes me really sad.”
The widespread issues have prompted 21 affected homeowners to file a lawsuit in Utah state court earlier this year. The legal action names Riding Siding Construction, the company allegedly responsible for the development, as the primary defendant.
The homeowners’ allegations paint a grim picture of structural compromise. The settlement of the ground has reportedly caused significant separation in roofs, leading to rainwater ingress. In the Rios family’s case, this resulted in water pouring into their garage, necessitating a desperate, temporary fix with a tarp.
Beyond the immediate water damage, residents report a consistent pattern of cracking throughout the drywall, particularly concentrated around the corners of doors and windows. Furthermore, the very foundations of their homes appear to be compromised, with reports of sloping floors and fissures opening up in basement levels. These cracks are not merely cosmetic; the lawsuit claims they are allowing “dangerous levels of radon” to infiltrate the residences, posing a serious health risk. All 21 homes in question were constructed between 2022 and 2023.
Allegations of Negligence and Misrepresentation
Another resident, Brandee Wing, shared her frustration, stating, “It’s so frustrating.” Her experience echoes that of her neighbours, who believe the issues stem from fundamental flaws in the construction process and a lack of transparency regarding the land’s suitability.
Crucially, it is alleged that builders were aware of the problematic soil conditions. Homeowners claim that a geotechnical report prepared for the development indicated the soils in the neighbourhood possessed a “moderate to high collapse potential.” This warning, they contend, was not adequately addressed in the construction methods. Instead of adhering to the recommended practices of using six to 10 inches of compacted fill soil, the lawsuit asserts that 12-inch loose lifts were employed. Additionally, vital foundation drains, as specified in the report, were reportedly omitted during construction.
“The fraud that homeowners have alleged are that there were important facts about these lots and the way the soil was prepared – or not prepared – that were not disclosed,” explained Chase Wilde, the attorney representing the aggrieved homeowners. Despite the significant issues and legal action, Wilde stressed that his clients are not seeking to abandon their homes. “They don’t necessarily want to move. They don’t want to sell their homes. They just want the homes repaired.”
While the lawsuit does not specify a precise financial sum sought, the scale of the required repairs is substantial. Michael Wing, Brandee’s husband, indicated that rectifying the situation would involve “a lot of money and piering” – a structural reinforcement technique. The estimated cost to repair their home, which would involve lifting the structure and installing piers, is a staggering $270,000. This figure represents more than half of the original purchase price of their Winn Ridge property, highlighting the profound financial burden placed upon these homeowners.
The legal proceedings also name Salisbury Homes, which is accused of handling a significant portion of the sales transactions for the development. The outcome of this lawsuit will be keenly watched by other new homeowners facing similar challenges, as it addresses critical issues of builder accountability, disclosure of land conditions, and the right to safe, habitable housing.
