The difference in building quality between 1980s homes and new builds in Phoenix is wild

I walked through a house built in 1984 last week near Scottsdale and the framing was solid, no weird settling cracks. Then I checked out a 2023 build in a new development 10 miles east and the drywall tape was already peeling in the master bedroom after 14 months. Developers are cutting corners with cheap lumber and rushed crews to hit quotas. Anyone else notice this pattern in their area?

3 comments

3 Comments

jesse_smith109d ago

Drywall tape was already peeling after 14 months" - that's not a bug, that's a feature for the next buyer (so they know where to start their own renovation, lol).

troyc179d ago

Yeah same crap here in Houston too.

margaretc429d ago

Figured I'd chime in here, @troyc17. My bathroom ceiling tape started curling up at the 10 month mark, so I guess I'm winning the race to shoddy workmanship. Had a contractor buddy look at it and he just laughed, said "well at least you know where the studs are now." Really makes you wonder if they even bother with the mesh tape anymore or if they're just using paper and hope it sticks. Every time I walk in there I feel like I'm being pranked by whoever built this house. Guess we're all in the same leaky boat, just with different holes.