We are having Shaw LVP installed as we speak ( approx. 1200 sq. ft). When I saw it a week ago, I was shocked. The floors have been stripped of all previous flooring. There we only a few areas that needed new underlayment. The floor looks wavy-like they didn't smooth out the adhesive is the best way I know to explain it. There are edges that are not even. Possibly, explained by our contractor, as excess adhesive. I know it's the planks not laying butted up level. (I have no idea what I'm saying LOL). I also found areas I could stick my fingernail in. I also can see the seams where two pieces of underlayment were laid. Contractor said they would work on smoothing it out with a roller maybe? I just don't know what to think. I don't know what to do. What are my rights if I'm not satisfied? My DH will take pics to post, hopefully tomorrow.

My home inspector found a lot of the problems, and said it was one of the worst, if not the worst, new construction builds he’s ever seen. I did have to push for some things, like basic minimum standard work on the baseboards. They gave me the thing about how it’s not considered to be a defect if you can’t see it when standing 6 feet away. Total BS, which everyone’s feedback on this forum helped me to cut through. They’ll work on the trim, take care of the paint on the switch plates (or so they say). The builder said no to a pre-closing inspection - I know, I know, a huge red flag, they said if I had a problem with it they would release me from the contract, keep my deposit and sell the house to somebody else. Totally insufficient time on the rushed pre-closing walkthrough to find all of the problems. Most of the problems that I was able to find were fixed poorly or made worse. I’m kicking myself for chickening out and not just saying “fine,” cutting my losses and looking for a different home. Lesson LEARNED. I’ve learned more from this bad experience, which still isn’t over, than I did from the good experiences with the other two decent builders. I’m fortunate in that I didn’t have to move in immediately after closing, and can wait until the considerable repairs are completed. I imagine other buyers move in immediately, and may just not want the hassle of having workers occupying their house and tearing up the floors etc. And yes, this builder is definitely one that knows some of the problems but waits for the new homeowner to point them out. If I buy another new construction home in the future I’ll do things very differently, including talking to any people in the development who’ve already moved into their home. And I want to warn other buyers and make sure they get their own private home inspections. Even if they’re idiots like me and do it after closing. The sales person told me that very few people get inspections. My inspector flagged the tubs for being slow draining. The team of 4 that went over my list of repairs found a wad of paper and plastic in the drain. Wish I had taken a picture of it. Despicable.

My Dad is up in Colorado right now and told me everything looks perfect and beautiful. This house is heavily used. Skiers in winter and hikers in summer. He doesn’t have a good mudroom, so people enter from the front, side deck, or garage straight into the main area. So, even though people try to get all the gear, mud and snow off before entering, there’s inevitably some debris that winds up inside, especially with kids and dogs. There was an entire Boy Scout group in there last summer, huge family gatherings with kids and dogs all throughout the year. People come and go all summer. 3 years and the floors are perfect. One thing to remember though: if you want to use a rug pad for an area rug you have to use a special kind. SIL was in charge of decorating so I don’t know the particulars, but I remember she had to order a special kind because the normal ones would create a stain or discoloration when they are in contact with the LVP.

My LVP is soundless, which is one of the reasons we went with it. We used a very upgraded underlayment, I think it was called something like Quiet Walk, and while it upped the costs I do believe it was necessary. Good luck. I have nothing but good things to say about it.