Effective oversight of the  new home warranty program in particular is an extremely positive development, since quality control in the construction industry is virtually an oxymoron when it comes to residential construction, at least in the Ottawa area. 

Using chainsaws to lay floors, etc., varying thicknesses of joists, causing wavy ceilings, failure to have double joists under walls laid parallel to joists, or walls between joists, toilets laid on floors that are not level, are just prime examples of how things are done.  Warranties are after the fact, whereas after the fact corrective action is useless compared to serious quality control, preventive inspection and serious fines for committing offences such as those described here. 

In Ottawa, a consumer taking a level into a subdivision under construction to check the walls and floors wouldn't get very far, unless driving a beat up truck with Quebec license plates and wearing a white helmet....

Labels: moderation: safe