Homeowners claim D.R. Horton used faulty materials

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Dozens of homeowners who live in the Farm at Brunswick neighborhood are frustrated with D.R. Horton.

They say the aluminum trim around their homes is beginning to peel and the company with the slogan ‘America’s largest home builder’ is refusing to do anything.

It is a problem resident Ken Frost says started a while ago.

“Own up to your responsibility. And take care of your customers. Ya know, we bought these homes in good faith,” Frost said.

More than 70 homes have aluminum trim peeling from the front, back, or sides of the houses.

“Since we bought a DR Horton home I thought ya know we we’re gonna get a better response. But we just feel left out. And we’re frustrated homeowners,” Frost said.

Frustrated because Frost and other neighbors have not received a response. Frost first noticed the issue back in 2011 and since then he says it has been an uphill battle to get it fixed.

“We feel that the builder should go after the manufacture of the material. And resolve this for us,” Frost said.

In 2013, a group of residents asked to get the aluminum tested. The manufacturer, First American Resources Co. came out, took a sample, then never got back to them. So they decided to send off their own sample.

“We decided to put our resources. The neighbors. And do an independent testing of the material. Which came back as defective,” Frost said.

Tests that show homes made of defective material and residents say no one is taking responsibility.

“What really bothers me is that D.R. Horton who professes to be America’s quality home builder. Has really let us down,” resident Bruce LoBuono said.

Another resident, Sharon Conway says when they moved in they were told they had maintenance free aluminum trim.

“And here we have 70 of us who have the maintenance free aluminum trim that’s peeling. I’d like them to step up and say ‘okay, we’ll take care of this problem. This is something we should have handled for you,'” Conway said.

A problem each resident affected wants fixed.

“Please live up to your reputation as American’s number 1 quality home builder. Take care of the terrible thing that’s happening to this development,” LoBuono said.

WWAY also reached out repeatedly to D.R. Horton and the manufacturer. D.R. Horton has not returned our calls or emails. As for the aluminum company, they said they were meeting to discuss the issue and would know more later this week.