[PRISM]

I purchased a new house from a builder that is now 5 months old.
The exterior wall that my kitchen cabinets are connected to has now
Bowed outward so that my countertop is now over 5/8" away from the wall.
There is also a large crack in the corner where the bowed wall and the
perpendicular wall meet that is also growing. I occasionally here large cracking
sounds.
The Builder claims that the house is settling and is waiting till year end (august) to fix.
claiming that it will settle more. If it has moved this much in 5m what am I to expect in another 7m?

From I understand, a House should settle with MINOR cracking not exceeding 1/8".

The wall was straight when I moved in.

Is this normal?

Thanks,

Stephen

[Fr_Chuck]

I would say no this is not normal, You need to get another contractor and perhaps the building inspector to come out and get some professional opinoin on what is going on.

While I am not personally involved in our family business ( we own a contracting company that builds new houses) so it is my sons that are the experts in that, I would not expect to see that much difference, have you checked your foundation for movement ?

[LisaB4657]

Normal settlement produces nail pops and cracks up to 1/8". Normal settlement does NOT produce bowed walls.

Was the house built very fast? It's possible that the builder did not let the lumber sit long enough to season. As a result some of the studs may be starting to bow and causing your problem. I suggest that you get your builder over to look at the house asap because it will certainly not get better.

[MrBill]

Does this house have a basement? If so does it have block or poured walls?

[Nwptsailor]

It is not normal to settle that much that fast and past settling does not necessarily mean it will continue either. Although at this rate it sounds as if there is more to go.

The last comment was right , was is the structure? What are the details? Is there any way you can get a few digital pictures and email them.
That way we can give specific advice.
This problem can usually be fixed relatively easily if you know how.

[jujubrose]

Get a lawyer quick and move out house will fall down. Deal with it from another home hate to hear about you dying because the house was built without enough framing.

Walls do not bow out for no reason. Either the plate was not attached to the slab and the wall is now sliding outward or not enough support in the walls I would guess this is a 2 story home. Walls do not just bow out


Be careful Julie

[chullyman]

Do you have a french drain around the house? Is the house built on fill ?