mold and warranty issues/help!

[Carol]

I have a Skyline doublewide which was discovered to have moisture under the floor covering last summer because the floors started warping and bucking. Since it is still under warranty, the factory reps have been coming out to look under the kitchen linoleum for the last three months, and finally showed up yesterday to "fix" it. They had tested the indoor air pressure and told me over the phone, not in writing, that the moisture was condensation under the floor covering due to negative indoor air pressure. They told me they were going to install some vents and a blended air system to alleviate the problem, but first they were going to fix my floor. All this time, I had been asking them to check under the carpet, too, as that flooring seems bumpy also, and the carpet is stretched out and all wrinkled up. They have ignored my requests so far. When they came in yesterday, they pulled back the linoleum in the kitchen/ dining area, and the plywood underneath was still wet and covered with mold. The workmen had orders from the manager to sand the mold and just replace pieces of the plywood that were obviously buckled. I called the factory and argued with the manager that I did not want the mold to be sanded and therefore airborne, that I wanted all of the moldy wood replaced, and that I wanted the rest of the floor checked also. They refused to do anything else so I sent the workers packing. Now I have an environmental specialist coming in which I will pay for myself, and I am in touch with the state HUD office to file a complaint. Is there anything else I can do to get this company to make this right, or do I just need to go ahead and hire an attorney?

[Eugene]

Don't wait, Hire a lawyer!
If not, you will kiss your home goodbye!
One more thing to try, I am surprised that Skyline would do this, I am going to guess that the Corporate Office doesn't know about your home, Write a letter to their Corp president,

[David Oxhandler]

Before you spend a bunch of money on legal help contact Skyline Corporation Headquarters Skyline has been well known for many years for treating the end users of their homes very well. They offer the best backed warranty in the business. I would bet that you are dealing with a problem from the local plant that corporate is not aware of. Contact the boys at the home office and I think you will get much better treatment. Skyline Corporation Headquarters 2520 By-Pass Road Post Office Box 743 Elkhart, Indiana 46515 (800) 348-7469 (574) 294-6521

[Carol]

Skyline's excellent reputation was one of the factors in my purchase, as a matter of fact, so I am also shocked at the runaround I am getting. I will try your suggestion first, since I am not interested in making a bunch of money, I just want what I bought: a new home free of defects.

Thanks!

[ScottMan]

I have a Skyline as well, and went to the state of IL regarding setup issues. However Skyline (Kevin Pickerall) was VERY HELPFUL in investigating the issues and told me that all issues end up being SKyline's responisibility. The issues were resolved, mostly.

I have a Kingwood model. I have a warped floor in the living room that my father sais is a warped floor joist. Unfortunately I am past warranty, but it is cosmetic, not a big dieal.

I am curious, with the floor warping, did you notice a moldy smell or "feel" the carpet wet. Can you explain this negative pressure. I want to make sure I don't have it too.

Thank you.

Scott

[John]

I'd suggest that you use Planetfeedback.com to send your complaint to Skyline. I've used the website to complain to Progressive Insurance and Master Lock (via parent company) within the last 2 years and received results I am pleased with. I found the website easy to use, and helpful in the 'proper etiquette' formation of my complaint. It even offered me the opportunity to share my complaint with my elected officials, which in your case I feel should be done.

[Linda P]

Here is my advice. CALL the corporate headquarters & ask for the Executive Offices of the President or CEO of the company. This should at least get you to an administrative secretary. Tell them the problem.

NEXT, by all means, - Get a fax number & email address. SEND WRITTEN CONFIRMATION OF THE PHONE CONVERSATION by FAX, EMAIL, REGULAR MAIL, & CERTIFIED - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED MAIL.

I know of a client who had an older site built home that the insurance company finally paid off if full on. Here is what she told me she did. Get a cheap composition notebook and keep notes of every phone call, date, time & who you spoke to & their title any any person that came to see the home just regarding the Skyline home. Next, when they start saying they need to send other professionals to the site because their insurance adjustor is just trying to stall, pull out your book and start giving them the list of names of whom have already seen the problem and action they orally may have told you. When they find out you are keeping such documentation, they will want to resolve this matter quickly because they realize you will not just simply go away!

JUST make sure you have a PAPER TRAIL!!!! This should at least get the proper person's attention. Insurance companies would like us to think that mold is blown way out of proportion, but there are more and more medical findings daily of just how serious it is!!!!!

DOCUMENT!!! DOCUMENT!!! DOCUMENT!!!

Good luck with your problem.