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Jie XU asked:

Mar 15, 2020
How do I get a home builder to be accountable for poorly graded yard? I have water for weeks at a time every time it rains. They refuse to do anything.
I showed them plans submitted to the city and my property proving is wrong, even have a tape of them saying it's wrong.

Jeff Ainslie of Ainslie Group PRO answered:

Apr 16, 2020

A Grading and Drainage certificate should have been issued by the permitting authority along with an affidavit by the contractor performing the work ensuring the work was in compliance with the approved plans.

Apr 2, 2020

Jie, 

Since you are not getting satisfaction from your builder, I would take all of your documentation to your city or county permit office (call ahead to determine who to speak with).  Standing water in any developement is unnaceptable and the municipality may require them to fix it. 

If the local governement can't help, contact an attorney specializing in land or propery law and ask them to send a letter to the builder.  Spending a few hundred dollars for this may go a long way. If you have to go to court, I would do so. 

My neighbors and I had sanding water and grading problems that we were able to demonstrate to the builder, and the builder came out and put drains in, no questions asked. We did not have to go to the county or hire an attorney. They recognized the problem and fixed it. 

Good Luck! 

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