[ihatemyhouse]

Hello. My wife and I purchased our first house which is a new build. From the beginning we have been dealing with creaking floors in the upstairs and stairs. The upstairs is carpeted and the stairs are wood with a carpet runner.

The builder has periodically come in and attempted to fix the noise. It works for a few days to a week and then it comes back. Further, as time goes on, creaks pop up all over.

It has been a year and I am now being repeatedly told that it is going to happen and there is nothing more they can do. Besides, they make it clear to be creaky floors aren't covered under the warranty.

Is this normal? Am I screwed? I am new at this, so forgive my ignorance.

TIA

[joypulv]

If houses aren't built under optimal weather conditions, not too cold, not too hot, not too damp, not too dry, AND with all lumber acclimated, as well as flooring, then you get more than ordinary expansion and or contraction. It isn't 'normal' but isn't uncommon. There are fixes but they aren't easy to apply to the whole place.

What are the floors made of (EXACTLY)? And the stair treads?
I wonder if the flooring was dryer or damper than the house. I wonder if they cheated on construction adhesive upstairs. A worker ran out of it and just said what the heck. ANYTHING can happen.

You could take a video with sound. Document all the times you have complained and he has been out. Negotiate some money back.

[talaniman]

Creaky floors can be very annoying, and are not unusual, or uncommon as Joy has said. You probably will notice many things in a new house to annoy you as the new house settles. LOL, even more expensive after the warranty has expired, and you start paying for them yourself, and need the services of a good handy man you trust rather than the builder/contractor (Or learn to do the small stuff yourself).

I think as a new homeowner, you will be on a learning curve of finding out about the rather annoying fact that home maintenance is an ongoing job. Wait until the toilet or a sink backs up, or the dishwasher overflows. All of these are annoying, AND inconvenient too (and messy). It's a pay someone, or do it yourself type of thing.

Put it in the right perspective, buying a new house is easy, keeping it new is a lot of work, but that's what its all about. No house, old or new is problem free because stuff screws up all the time. Squeaky floor boards are not high on the list of annoying stuff to worry about, to be honest.

While we are talking about annoying stuff don't forget to clean the gutters, mop the floor, dust the furniture, change the furnace filter, mow the lawn, and take the trash out. All annoying stuff to me!

But somebody has to do it because none of those things have a warranty. Your contractor has already told you he won't chase those annoying squeaks when you walk any longer, so add that to the list of annoying things that you will learn to live, and deal with. If you let the squeaks drive you NUTS, then the birds, bugs, and critters, will make you bonkers. Have you met your neighbors yet? They don't have warranties either, but trust me, they will have flaws (Especially their snot nosed kids).

You may be new at this now, but I think you will catch on quick. Buy tools and learn how to use them my friend. Try to have fun learning stuff. That will help the most