Stucco Claims

HORN WILLIAMSON, LLC is investigating potential claims on behalf of homeowners and condominium homeowners' associations involving defective or improperly installed stucco on their homes. If you have a home that was constructed between 2003 and 2013, that is clad in stucco, cultured stone, or fiber cement siding, latent defects may be present and you should call one of our attorneys for a free consultation.

Above: Nydia Han's report featuring Jennifer Horn, Esquire. (from Horn Williamson LLC) Hundreds of homeowners claim a construction problem of epidemic proportions is tearing through homes in the Delaware Valley, leaving them with repairs costing into the six figures. (WPVI)

Stucco is an exterior building material widely used throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. When not applied properly per building codes and standards, stucco is prone to fail, causing water intrusion into a home's building envelop. Cultured stone, or fiber cement siding, similarly fail when not properly applied. Water intrusion presents a serious danger to property owners' homes. In addition to causing structural damage to homes, it can cause mold and even pest infestation. Remediating failing or damaged stucco, and the associated water damage, is costly and often not covered by homeowners' insurance.

Realtors and home buyers are also aware of the danger posed by stucco, cultured stone, and fiber cement cladding. As a result, moisture intrusion testing of stucco homes is now routine and can lead to a diminished valuation of your home.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General has acknowledged defective stucco is a problem. On October 6, 2016, the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office filed an Unfair Trade Practices Complaint on behalf of the Commonwealth against the David Cutler Group in connection with defective stucco installed on homes constructed by the David Cutler Group in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The Attorney General's office filed this law enforcement action because of the large number of complaints they had received related to stucco problems with David Cutler Group homes. The Attorney General's complaint principally seeks to enjoin [stop] the David Cutler Group from future building code violations and unfair trade practices to prevent similar problems from occurring in the future.

The Attorney General's law enforcement action was brought on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, not individual homeowners. It is important that homeowners protect their individual rights by pursuing separate, individual actions against their builder. If you have stucco, cultured stone, or fiber cement siding on your home or condominium, please contact our office for a free consultation.