Do you have any signs of settling throughout the house (ie cracks in the drywall, doors not shutting properly, etc.)? I'm questioning this, since the dips and rises in the floor would concern me more than the bad install.

Hi Annie. Yes, we have some signs of settling. One of the doors in our master bathroom won't shut and there are some cracks on the walls in the laundry room...

It's not unusual to have some settling, however, you may want to speak with a structural engineer to ensure that the issue isn't more complex. I'm sure there will be some experts that will weigh in on your post.

Oh boy, I hope so!

Update: The GC continues to tell us that the floor "meets industry standards..."

We're also having issues with the stairs... They need to be sanded down and restrained... or something.

At this point, we don't know what to do aside from taking the GC/developer to small claims court. It's a big, embarrassing mess for a new and expensive house... Every day feels like a terrible nightmare-- it's really defeating when you just want to make your house a home.

Any suggestions on what else we can do? Or, how we can approach the conversation in a different way?

Oh, boy! The additional photos that you posted show the incredible lack of talent of the builder and his subs. The finish work is absolutely unacceptable -- stain splatters all over the paint, globs of chaulk, etc. I really don't know what yo tell you. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I would first call a structural engineer to ensure that the settling that you are experiencing is typical. Then, I would have a rep from the flooring manufacturer come out. By looking at their finish work, I suspect the installation of the floor was done incorrectly.

There should not be any dips between joists nor bouncing/movement that causes squeaks. It sounds like the underlayment is too thin for the joist spacing. Edge of room/space higher than middle sounds like too small of joists? Groove to groove should NEVER happen.

If you'd not already moved in I'd suggest refusing to close.

I agree w/ Annie, you need to first talk to a structural engineer and make sure your house is sound and second that it was built to code/spec. I don't think the problems you've mentioned would pass code here but maybe they do there. Overall it seems like really shoddy work and well beyond small claims court.

Thanks @opaone and @annied75 --- I might look into contacting a NWFA inspector. We can't really put out more money at this point, so our options seem limited.

It's beyond frustrating and terribly upsetting, to say the least.

Ugh @springtimebuilders -- I know this!

I take it you dont have a new home warranty? (They are required where I am up in Canada, but let me tell you, that 'warranty' isnt all its cracked up to be either).

If you dont have a warranty, best bet it to get a 3rd party expert (or two) and serve your builder with copies and politely ask him again to remedy. If not, pursue small claims. (Sadly these are workmanship, not code issues, or I'd suggest you sick your building inspector on him).

Good luck, I get what you are saying about yoru house - I'm waiting for a new home warranty claim to be resolved - spring came and my drywall got ruined due to a water intrusion issue! The warranty rep and GC are speaking to each other, but refuse to speak to me. (I have to wait for 'paperwork to come in the mail', grrrr...)

Curious if you ever resolved your problem. As with any professional install it's 75% prep and 25% install. Seems like your GC didn't do the prep well (ensure that floors were level before the install). Also your wood plants should be perpendicular to the joists. If they run parallel you will run into future sag issues.

I'm sure the OP fixed the problem since it was FOUR years ago.