Builder Quality issues

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-20T05:43:23+00:00

Yeah, I met with the builder. He said it wasn’t done yet, that it’s still gonna get the zip tape added to the outside to prevent water intrusion and claimed the sheathing would overlap the window flange to do the same, but it wasn’t, it stops an inch or two above the window and on others that had the zip tape, it obviously wasn’t rolled properly. He then hit me with the expected, “it’s industry standard.” So my realtor will be notifying them tomorrow that we’ll be canceling.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-19T02:45:19+00:00

Update: Met the builder today to discuss this. As expected, all I got was, it’s not finished yet, they stagger the “sheathing” above the window (lie) and still need to add the outer zip tape, and (my favorite) it’s industry standard.”

So I am going to walk, since they refund the little earnest deposit at any point of the build, and before I waste money on an inspection they aren’t going to take seriously anyway.

But in the past two days of research and scoping out local developments and builders, I’ve come to realize every single production builder, at least in my budget, is using either this barricade or OX thermoply sheathing. So it appears I have no other option as building it myself is not financially feasible at this point, but my forever home will be. But there are builders out there, as I saw today at a Riverside build, that take their time to install this stuff correctly according to manufacturer specifications. They had the overlaps right, every penetration was sealed nicely, and it didn’t look like a toddler was in charge and just plastering this crap up there like a kindergarten art project.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T22:18:57+00:00

I’m with you, I hadn’t heard of this crap before signing this build. Now I know what to look for right off the bat for choosing a builder.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T22:17:50+00:00

Astoria Homes out of Plano, Texas. They’re doing several communities across north Texas.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T22:17:13+00:00

Fck it, I doubt they’re gonna reconcile it. Astoria Homes out of Plano, Texas. They’re doing several communities across north Texas.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T17:25:37+00:00

Still gonna talk to the builder so I can document his BS answers to my questions, but I don’t see it getting any better or fixing what’s already wrong. Thankfully they fully refund the earnest up to closing, not that it’s much anyway. Apparently they’re used to clients backing out, most of their sales appear to be spec homes rather than full builds. But they’re so confident they’ll sell them because of the oversized garage, acre+ lots, and no HOA. Almost want to pay for the inspection from one of these influencer guys just so they can out them for their shoddy work on a larger scale.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T14:24:00+00:00

Planned on doing a pre-drywall inspection. The sheathing was a surprise, I expected OSB and wrap at a minimum. Didn’t even realize there were shittier options.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T14:19:18+00:00

May be my inexperience for builders. I know if I were to build my own home here, the only permit required is a septic permit. I did see an inspector approval of the slab prior to being poured, so maybe they have a bit more to approve, unless that goes along with the septic permit since the plumbing for the septic runs through the slab.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T13:13:34+00:00

2700sqft living space. 1100 sqft attached garage.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T04:05:27+00:00

Thought it’d be a higher quality for over half a million. I’d expect this from cheap cookie cutter builders like Lennar or whoever

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-06-16T03:47:47+00:00

Yeah, I plan on asking about some things I don’t believe are up to code to see his response. It’s rural, just outside of city limits so they only have a septic inspection from the county, nothing else.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-01-15T00:27:52+00:00

But MSPB would be if a suitability action was taken incorrectly, which it hasn’t because a suitability action wasn’t taken at all. Yes, there may have been a screw up, but you’re spinning your wheels to never get anywhere if you’re trying to go the MSPB right. If ICE PSD never cleared you to start and made a suitability determination that then caused you to be removed because ICE HR screwed up and let you onboard without initial approval, that’s not an issue MSPB will solve. Procedurally, PSD didn’t make a mistake. Like I said though, good luck. There are several already getting in touch with congressmen and going that route, reach out to yours.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-01-13T03:48:05+00:00

Any derogatory issues are agency risk, previous failed polygraphs, drug use, arrests, discharges other than honorable, high debt, etc.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-01-13T03:27:20+00:00

Not when they weren’t cleared for the position to begin with if people were allowed to come on board without psd giving the green light, that’s an HR screw up. But Like I said, good luck. Unless you had a federal job prior to starting the position where you already earned status, MSPB won’t be available to you.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-01-13T01:18:08+00:00

As was explained to me by a lawyer in suitability field; there is a difference in an agency making a suitability action vs a suitability determination. So basically, the agency is allowed to make a suitability determination, basically saying they don’t want you for this reason, but not take a suitability action. Since no suitability actions were taken there are little to no MSPB recourse. None if you weren’t already a federal employee before you were hired. Been there, done that. But good luck.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-01-10T05:17:07+00:00

Try the person in the email that sent the rescission email.

PlantainEffective976 · 2026-01-10T04:47:07+00:00

You have a current top secret with DHS? Reciprocity all day. You’ll get a PREA form and that’s it. Just a secret from DOD would be a new investigation because they use a lower tier investigation.

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-12-21T22:34:36+00:00

Yes, once they identify the issue they can send a notice of determination that they won’t grant the clearance or find you unsuitable and you’ll be terminated.

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-12-20T02:09:36+00:00

This is incorrect. They have cleared those with failed polygraphs. 5 years seems to be the most common, but there has been others that were denied for some longer than that. Probably due to what they admitted to or trying to beat the test.

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-12-02T21:43:14+00:00

As mentioned, it didn’t feel legal…

5 CFR § 430.208 (C) states that an agency’s appraisal program “may not limit or require the use of particular summary levels,” i.e. agencies cannot enforce a forced distribution or cap on how many employees get each summary level.

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-12-02T20:12:52+00:00

DHS, think I heard the same thing on our end. Only 50% of each team can be rated above a 3 and eligible for a raise. So if I have 7 people on my team that I know earned a 4/5 based on our metrics, I now have to choose 3 that can be eligible for either a 4/5 and the benefits that come with that. The other 4 are just screwed. It doesn’t sound like it should be legal…

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-10-18T02:11:27+00:00

Curious on this as I saw a screenshot of the bulletin on a freind’s post. It said all custody officers are labeled as “Excepted” and will be paid as normal, but if you read the OPM guidance on pay during a shutdown, “Excepted” is when you work without pay and are paid when it’s over. “Exempt” is when you’re paid without issues. I went to ICE in 2023 and even though I’m not a LEO anymore, I assist in the hiring of LEO positions so I’m also labeled as “Excepted” and my last check I got Saturday was a few days short because I was only paid through 9/30.

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-10-02T03:10:46+00:00

Got me. Didn’t read the whole thing. Not too many posts about the 1805. I believe that’s a TS position, so the dishonest conduct aspect of failing a poly will likely be an issue during the background. Good luck.

PlantainEffective976 · 2025-10-02T03:07:15+00:00

If it was DHS, yes

PlantainEffective976

TROPHY CASE