Performance Standard: HBR articles 1-1 to 1-4   Click icon to view book 

Ponding shall not be present in the immediate area surrounding the house (approx. 10’). 

Warrant period: 1 year

The builder is not responsible for the drainage of the entire lot, but only the portion of the lot that the builder has disturbed for construction. The possibility of standing water after a heavy rainfall should be anticipated.

Sunken areas (ground settling around foundation, utility trenches, etc.) should be expected.

The builder will supply up to four cubic yards of builder’s on-site topsoil as a courtesy, deposited at your curbside, to correct sunken areas.  THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY SEED OR LABOR.

The homeowner is responsible for spreading the “Courtesy Load” of topsoil, reseeding and replanting of any shrubs.

Tree damage (pre-existing)

Warranty period: NONE

Seed washout or germination

Warranty period: NONE

Notes

The final grades around your home have been inspected and approved by local building authorities, as well as BUILDER, for proper drainage of your yard. Yards in a neighborhood typically drain from one to another. You and your neighbors share an overall drainage plan for the community. Check for drainage easements and use caution before installing landscaping and fencing.  In some cases, drainage swales do not follow property boundaries. Do not create water problems on adjacent properties.

Homeowner Operation and Maintenance

Drainage – The grade around your home should slope away from the house for the first six to eight feet. Maintain the slopes around your home to permit the water to drain away from the home as rapidly as possible.   This is essential to protect your foundation. Failure to do so can result in major structural damage and will void your warranty.

BUILDER is not responsible for any malfunctioning, clogging or failure of municipal storm sewer systems or altering of grade due to installation of swimming pool, gardens, plantings, etc.

Settling -The grades that have been established by BUILDER must maintained by you. The area excavated for your home’s foundation was larger than the basement to allow room for masons to work. In addition, some trenching was necessary for installation of utility lines. Although we replaced the soil, it does not return to its original density for several years. Some settling will occur, especially after prolonged or heavy rainfall or melting of large amounts of snow. Settling can continue for several years. Inspect the perimeter of your home regularly for signs of settling and fill settled areas as needed to maintain positive drainage.

Roof Water – Consider installing rain gutters, if they were not included with your home.  Keep splash blocks or downspout extensions in place under the downspouts so the water drains away from your home quickly.

Starter Lawn – We have provided a starter lawn, using Chuck Hafner’s Upstate perennial grass seed, which can be purchased at Hafner’s store in North Syracuse.  If available, we use on-site topsoil, grade, rake and seed your yard.  Germination may be affected by adverse weather conditions such as washouts due to heavy rainstorms, droughts or winterkills.  We recommend that you straw the starter lawn and keep the ground moist and aid in seed germination.  (NOTE: Straw will also help in preventing ground erosion.) New seed requires much care to produce a good sod.  The process can take several years. Be sure to water long enough to soak the ground well into the soil.

For more lawn care information see: Landscaping and Greener Living Tips

BUILDER Limited Warranty Guidelines

We established the final grade to ensure adequate drainage away from the home. Maintaining this drainage is your responsibility. If you alter the drainage pattern after closing, or if changes in drainage occur due to lack of maintenance, the limited warranty is void.

Pre-Existing Trees – A tree, which is a living thing, cannot be warranted.

Seed – BUILDER is not responsible for seed germination or washout of any amount.

Site Drainage – Ponding shall not be present in the immediate area surrounding the house (approximately 10’).

No grading decisions shall be made while there is frost on the ground.

On large lots of one to five acres, BUILDER is not responsible for the drainage of the entire lot, but only the portion of the lot that was disturbed for construction.

Sunken Areas – BUILDER will supply four cubic yards of on-site topsoil as a courtesy, deposited at your curbside, to correct sunken areas, only during the Warranty Period.  This does not include any seed or labor.  It is a homeowner’s responsibility to spread the “Courtesy Load” of topsoil, re-seed and re-plant any shrubs. 

Soil provided is not screened or pulverized and can be difficult to work by hand.