Is this the hill you want to die on?

You have one and only one shot with this builder. Is this the issue you want to use all your capital on...?

Once we moved in we realized that the switch for the dining room light was 30” in from the corner of the wall.

Switches are typically located beside doors, or doorways. Where is the problem switch in relation to one of these openings?

The ease of moving the switch depends on access to the wiring in the wall. Rarely is there any excess wire, and what is there is stapled to the framing.

And to be clear, walls don't have corners, but rooms do.

I purchased a tract home from a local builder here in Central Texas, and they refused to change any of the electrical stuff, period. All I wanted was an outlet in my pantry, which I paid extra for. Wanna know where they put it? You'll never guess. It's 7' off the ground.

I'm currently fighting them to fix a cracked window pane. The superintendent told us at closing that the window frame dent was cosmetic, but wouldn't you know, a stress crack formed less than 2 months after closing, dead-center of the dented frame. I closed August 2017. Sigh.

Hazards of a tract/production house. Oh, well. :-(

Ok.....30” from the doorway. All other switches in the house are no more than 6.” In all other models of this house in this subdivision this switch is roughly 6” in....where it should be. This is not normal.

"These were items that just didn’t register as being wrong until we moved in with the furniture."

Get different furniture. (That is my Frank Lloyd Wright imitation)

Ok.....30” from the doorway. All other switches in the house are no more than 6.” In all other models of this house in this subdivision this switch is roughly 6” in....where it should be. This is not normal.

That *is* pretty lousy. :-(

Edited to add:

We have a three month and one year inspection. Aren’t these to correct
mistakes after the fact.....things that were missed in the walkthrough?

In my limited experience (I've only built 2 tract houses), they *say* that's what the 3-month and 12-month punch lists are for -- before you sign on the dotted line -- but then later, when you're actually *at* 3- or 12-months, they say, "Nope, that's not covered; you should've done that before closing." And they only gave me 3 whole days between inspection and closing. Nice, eh? We even hired an inspector, but he's human and can't possibly find *everything*, so we don't blame him at all.

All that to say, I feel your pain, Hon. :-(

So you were out once? For the final walkthrough?

I tend to agree with others. A working outlet or switch in a place that was always visible is not a hill to die on. They have offered to move the tv outlet. Thats nice of them.

You dont know what other problems may lurk. Do you want to use up all your goodwill on that one switch? I agree its in a terrible place btw.

That's why I would admittedly advise to anyone else NOT use a TRACT builder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They do EVERYTHING as CHEAP as possible!!!!!! I live just outside of Charlotte and they keep showing all those houses flooded near the coast. Looks like New Orleans did awhile back. The neighborhoods they show are all track houses.....they all look alike. It's obvious. They buy the cheapest property they can and charge as much as they can......even in flood zones!!!!!!! They don't give a S...... ONLY how much money they can put in their pockets!~!!!

What's in your contract? Read every detail in it.

The first year in any home is not a 12-month inspection period during which you can request changes or corrections other than those items noted as incomplete or defective at your final inspection prior to closing.

The 3-month walk through is an opportunity to confirm completion of items noted at the final inspection prior to closing. The 12-month walk through would be to document any warrantable conditions as defined by your builder's written warranty.

It's not too hard to add a receptacle above or below an existing receptacle. Relocating a switch is not as easy. You might consider replacing the switch with a motion-detecting switch that will turn the lights on when you enter the room and off after you leave. You can purchase them for around $35. Check with your builder before you implement the change to make sure doing so doesn't invalidate your warranty.

As far as the light switch location in the image above, I would bet there is a duct in the wall that prohibits the switch to be located any closer to the edge of the wall than where it sets.

I don't believe I would have any trouble getting that light switch moved by having that builder stand in the room with me and I would just stare at the switch and tell him he has completely lost his mind if he finds that acceptable. I would ask him to imagine replacing you with his mother, and his mother pleading her case to another builder about why the switch is in the middle of the room. If he has any decency, he will fix it.

The whole expression " is this the hill you want to die on" is the worst expression. Every mistake, oversight, screwup, or other incompetent job needs to tackled as its own. Everyone starts acting like there is a bucket with ten chips in it and they must not squander these precious chips on supposed silliness like a switch in the middle of the room. Nonsense. Tackle all legitimate concerns aggressively. My best advice is don't be so worried about hurting their feelings. Most of them are numb and hardened so you almost have to be refreshingly forward in your delivery.

Thank you all for your input.

“I would bet there is a duct in the wall that prohibits the switch to be located any closer to the edge of the wall than where it sets.”

How come ours is the only house with this situation? The builder rep actually tried to tell us that homes aren’t necessarily built to plan. Say what? We’ll just stick a stud there, a pipe here...willy nilly? A few inches difference maybe, but not a few feet.

The builder or its reps would not accept this in their own new builds....why should we be expected to? It’s very frustrating that we have to fight such a visible mistake.

If moving it is not an option because of ductwork etc. you can invest in some Lutron Caseta dimmers. You just replace the original switch with the Lutron (which also comes with a remote) and the remote can be placed anywhere you want (on the wall or a table etc.) . Simple solution if your builder will not budge and you don’t want expensive electrical work done.

WHAT is 'in' your contract?? Read every line. Let us know.

That isn’t a defect or warranty work. That is a paid for change.

Sophie.......WHAT are you talking about??????????????? Can you explain details??