Tree down on my house

[frehman005]

We moved into our brand new house two weeks ago and we noticed two tall tree at the corner of our house and one of them were dead.

We have contacted town to cut them down and they told us this area is not assumed by the town of Ajax and referred us to town planning architect. To cut long story short, he checked the plan and found out those two trees should be removed.

This morning they were cutting the tree down and it fell on to my house and some significant damage on the roof an porch. I will upload the picture once I get home.

Builder called me and told me about this and told me that they will fix this.

Do I need any kind of inspection after they finish or hire someone to do this inspection? As I am worried about any structurerl issues with it even I they fix this?

Any other thing I should do with this.

Please advice.

[Zamboni]

Lots of pics, that will help your inspector verify repairs....or hire someone now to inspect before-after.

[Shaner]

I wouldn't worry about it. I'm assuming the town will hire professionals to do the repair. If after the repairs are done you still feel worried, then go ahead and pay for an inspector, but I dont' see any reason to think the contractors that the city hires won't do the job properly.

[frehman005]

Thanks for the reponse. I already took a lot of pictures and will talk to the builder and town tomorrow to figure out who is responsible for this damage as this area as not assumed by the town yet and referred this tree cutting to the site developer.

I did a quick check from inside and there are some minor gaps/cracks on one croner and noticed a minor gap in the roof where they possibly have drywall joint.

I think they can easily fix this damage but I am on worried about structural damage. Should I ask town or builder to pay me the cost of inspection and I will hire an indpendent inspector to make sure that nothing has happened which I can't notice? Any comments.

[ishfish]

Thanks for the reponse. I already took a lot of pictures and will talk to the builder and town tomorrow to figure out who is responsible for this damage as this area as not assumed by the town yet and referred this tree cutting to the site developer.

I did a quick check from inside and there are some minor gaps/cracks on one croner and noticed a minor gap in the roof where they possibly have drywall joint.

I think they can easily fix this damage but I am on worried about structural damage. Should I ask town or builder to pay me the cost of inspection and I will hire an indpendent inspector to make sure that nothing has happened which I can't notice? Any comments.

Did the gaps and cracks come from the accident - or are they possibly the scars that happen to every house as it settles?
I would not think there should be structural damage as I am guessing it is the roof overhang that took the weight.
I am curious to see the pict though.
Sorry to hear that happened to your house.
Why don't you ask if they will bring in an inspector - and be there to ask all your questions - esp. if there were structural damage what would the signs be? Then decide if you are comfortable with the answers and do not need your own inspector.

[Busybuyer888]

If there is visible damage inside the house (ie. drywall is cracked), that is a lot of damage ... the walls were breached.

I'd almost call home insurance in on this to ensure the repairs were proper. (They will at least send someone over to do an estimte.)

[frehman005]

If there is visible damage inside the house (ie. drywall is cracked), that is a lot of damage ... the walls were breached.

I'd almost call home insurance in on this to ensure the repairs were proper. (They will at least send someone over to do an estimte.)

It is not very visible. I was look every corner, all the walls and just noticed very minor cracks at the corners.

You mean call insurance company or Tarion? I am planning on calling Tarion tomorrow to find out what should i do.

[Busybuyer888]

It is not very visible. I was look every corner, all the walls and just noticed very minor cracks at the corners.

You mean call insurance company or Tarion? I am planning on calling Tarion tomorrow to find out what should i do.

If it is minor cracks it could be somthing else. I thought it was a chunck of drywall had cracked (ie. size of an oranage or larger).

[firechkn]

Can this be the same house at the corner of Beverton Cr? Marshall Homes?

I saw the damage, doesn't look great, but definitely fixable.

[frehman005]

Can this be the same house at the corner of Beverton Cr? Marshall Homes?

I saw the damage, doesn't look great, but definitely fixable.

Yes you are right. One at the corner of beverton cres. They are working on it right now.

I talked to the builder and ask them to give me some kind of assurance in writing (after their inspection) that there is nothing wrong with the structure or foundation. Their rep will talk to the head office. Appearantly this is more cosmetic but who knows.

[firechkn]

Welcome to the neighbourhood, sorry to hear what happen. I'm glad they already started fixing the damage. It does look cosmetic, so I'm sure it will be all fixed up to your satisfaction.

I never did like the look of that dead tree beside your house. That tree should of went down way before they started building. But anyways, what kind of crew cuts down a tree and not take any precautions? Careless workers to say the least.

Good luck with the repairs.

[frehman005]

Welcome to the neighbourhood, sorry to hear what happen. I'm glad they already started fixing the damage. It does look cosmetic, so I'm sure it will be all fixed up to your satisfaction.

I never did like the look of that dead tree beside your house. That tree should of went down way before they started building. But anyways, what kind of crew cuts down a tree and not take any precautions? Careless workers to say the least.

Good luck with the repairs.

Thanks. I hope this is only cosmetic and I know they can fix it. The tree was all rotten at the bottom. I will make sure that i will have complete inspection before one year warranty is over.

They supposed to took both trees down before that start as per the town plan and this is what roofing guys said who are fixing the roof but builder told them that this is not their concern. After my follow up with town, town told me that developer supposed to take them down before construction. They have to take the other tree down and I hope this time there is no damage.

[Zamboni]

Pics?

Don't overlook window seals in the inspection.

[frehman005]

Pics?

Don't overlook window seals in the inspection.



I am trying to upload photos and is giving me error.

I tried web upload. Let me know if you can see this>
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2231/ajax2012060700072.jpg
http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/4975/img1006vo.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/4773/homedamage2.gif
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/2231/ajax2012060700072.jpg
http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/1324/img0990pz.jpg
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8861/img0993h.jpg

[frehman005]

Did the gaps and cracks come from the accident - or are they possibly the scars that happen to every house as it settles?
I would not think there should be structural damage as I am guessing it is the roof overhang that took the weight.
I am curious to see the pict though.
Sorry to hear that happened to your house.
Why don't you ask if they will bring in an inspector - and be there to ask all your questions - esp. if there were structural damage what would the signs be? Then decide if you are comfortable with the answers and do not need your own inspector.

They are more like scars not cracks as they are on the joints on couple of corners. I have uploaded a few pictures so you can see.

I asked them that i want this to be inspected and she told me that they will come and see all.

[rocking23nf]

That sucks big time, you should consult a lawyer.

[Supercooled]

nice home. sq footage. price?

one if my coworker live in ajax.

[frehman005]

I have called my insurance company as well and informed them about this incident. They have assigned the adjuster and will assess everything including liability what I need to do.

[frehman005]

That sucks big time, you should consult a lawyer.

I have informed my lawyer and she suggested me to inform insurance comany which I did already.

[frehman005]

nice home. sq footage. price?

one if my coworker live in ajax.


This is a side view as this is corner lot. This is 1881 sq feet linked house.

[joongpark]

I have called my insurance company as well and informed them about this incident. They have assigned the adjuster and will assess everything including liability what I need to do.

Why did you contact your insurance?
Isn't builder going to fix it?

I was told that Home Insurance rate goes up by incident no matter if it's your fault or not. It will also stay on your record.
I had similar thing happen and adjuster gave me a few days to think about it before making actual report.
Things were fixed in satisfactory condition by contractor so I did not report.

Yours maybe different because damage is larger.

[frehman005]

Why did you contact your insurance?
Isn't builder going to fix it?

I was told that Home Insurance rate goes up by incident no matter if it's your fault or not. It will also stay on your record.
I had similar thing happen and adjuster gave me a few days to think about it before making actual report.
Things were fixed in satisfactory condition by contractor so I did not report.

Yours maybe different because damage is larger.

This is what my lawyer and a few others suggested. I don't think this is true if we report any claims where other people are fault will cause insurance rate rise. I think this is why insurance is for and may guide me to claim more damages which i am not aware of.

This may push the builder to do a proper inspection or pay me for the inspection.

[hugh_da_man]

This is what my lawyer and a few others suggested. I don't think this is true if we report any claims where other people are fault will cause insurance rate rise. I think this is why insurance is for and may guide me to claim more damages which i am not aware of.

This may push the builder to do a proper inspection or pay me for the inspection.

I think that's a great idea personally. Your insurance adjuster should be concerned about this damage turning into a future claim (ie. what if a leak happens due to a bad repair and your insurance has to go after the builder in the future to pay for it) and therefore they'll be adamant that things are repaired correctly.

Good luck OP...sucks that things like this happen even though you were proactive about getting the tree removed.

[frehman005]

Here is what has been done by the builder so far.

http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/4665/img0934g.jpg
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/306/img0935w.jpg

Here are the cracks i was referring to.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5490/img0930pw.jpg
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7360/img0931h.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4338/img0932lu.jpg

[frehman005]

Your insurance adjuster should be concerned about this damage turning into a future claim (ie. what if a leak happens due to a bad repair and your insurance has to go after the builder in the future to pay for it) and therefore they'll be adamant that things are repaired correctly.

This is a very good point which I never thought about. I will mention this to the adjuster when I will talk to him.

Yes it is not good when this is your first ever house and within 3 weeks this thing happened.

[kevv]

Here is what has been done by the builder so far.

http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/4665/img0934g.jpg
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/306/img0935w.jpg

Here are the cracks i was referring to.

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/5490/img0930pw.jpg
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7360/img0931h.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4338/img0932lu.jpg

502 looks like the crack was there for a while already painted, the others look like bad plaster job
hope they nailed the fasicia on all the studs of the roof frame
new houses are not built like the old days like theres no ice sheild on the the first 3 feet of roof