New build, problem with home builder

[Tom Gillotti]

We purchased a single family home last year in Abilene, Texas (small town) and had a lot of problems with the builders and sub-contractors. So much so that I wrote a lengthy review of our experience and created a website. It's quite long and I understand if you are unable to take the time to read it all. 

This is the website: cornerstonecustomhomesabilene.wordpress.com

If you did get through it all, here's where we're at now. On July 3rd (2018) I sent a settlement request to the builder's lawyer for the amount of the estimate (plus an additional 15% for unexpected expenses) and the amount of legal fees I paid for the lawyer (total is just under $17,000). I did not hear back from their lawyer for several days so I sent another email to confirm receipt of my email with the settlement request. The secretary confirmed receipt. A month went by and I heard nothing back. This is when I created the website above and posted the review as well as attached it to reviews across the internet (Google, Yelp, BBB, Houzz). Well, all of those sites have since removed the review (likely at the request of the builder). So, I attempted to contact another lawyer today and was told that the amount of work that would need to be done with this case would be too much for the estimated return, so "sorry but good luck, we can't help." 

I've considered direct mailings to certain areas of the town (it's a small town of ~130,000 people total) and have even considered renting a billboard to post the website around town where others could read the story. 

I have a few goals with this:

First, I would really like to help others avoid the headaches we went through with this builder.

Second, I am trying to get their attention and force them to settle so I can pay someone else to come in and do the work properly.

Last, the most ideal situation would be to get them to buy back the house and we all go our separate ways. We are moving soon anyway (work move), so it would not be difficult for us at this time. 

Any help is greatly appreciated. We are stuck and want to put this all behind us!

[Bill Hamilton]

Well, looks like your wordpress site is down also. I would say that if you want to pursue it, you really need to get a lawyer that will go after the builder. And hopefully one that will do it on a contingency basis. I am assuming that Texas allows you to go after the losing side for legal costs. That could be an advantage in that no lawyer will take that type of case on a contingency fee if they don't think they can win. I wish you good luck (wish I could have read the whole tale as I might have a more helpful opinion in  that case).