It has been over sixteen months since I reported the first water intrusion to Ryan Homes, and my home still has not been fully repaired.  In this time, I have seen rows and rows of townhouses and multi-level condos go from nothing more than empty lots to completion. Yet, repairing my home seems to be a tedious feat, requiring quite a bit of downtime and recovery.

My home experienced additional water intrusion in March 2010, even after Ryan Homes claimed that it had been successfully repaired. Again, I needed to hire an inspector. From the start, Ryan Homes has been consistently unwilling to diagnose the serious problems. It took them nearly two months from the second round of water intrusions to correct (I hope) the major cause of the problem. It took another two months for them to seal the numerous openings to the outside. These openings not only allowed water into my home, but also were the entry for flies and other pests seeking refuge in the colder months. They without question knew about these since January when the first post-remediation report proved my suspicions correct (months prior to the inspection, I told Ryan that they had to exist, but Ryan ignored me). Just this week, water testing was to be performed. Since RH was unable to find a moisture meter, a critical instrument, the testing had to be cancelled. I have informed them that I expect my home to be fully repaired by the end of August, but I have not received a response.

This situation is infuriating. From my standpoint, Ryan Homes' website is propaganda. "Unwavering commitment to customer service,"' "stringent standards," "high quality materials," and "honest and open communication." No, no, no and no. For over sixteen months, I have been paying for a three bedroom home with a garage. Yet, only two bedrooms are usable, with one of them still showing evidence of some remediation. The garage is a storage unit. I have owned the home for over 20 months, but they have yet to perform my eleven month walk through. I have been told on numerous occasions that they will do this when they are finishing the rebuild. With no end in site, I think they should find a little time for the walk through.

In my first e-mail, I had mentioned that Ryan Homes had promised to further insulate my walls (possibly with a sprayed foam insulation, this would be ideal). As of this time, they have not done a thing. I have been told that they are "still researching it." Should we as customers be putting our faith in a builder that needs over 9 months to research insulation techniques?

The aforementioned complaints are only the tip of the iceberg. At a later date, I will fill you in on all the truly horrific and unbelievable details.  I did file a consumer complain with the A.G.O. of Maryland, but had asked them to hold off taking action, because I wanted to resolve the problems on my own. This week I will ask the A.G.O. to start working on the case.

To all prospective Ryan Homes customers: If you should choose to purchase, please do all that is in your power to prevent  misfortune similar to what  has befallen so many of us. Have an inspection done by a well respected inspector. Have the inspector come with you during the walk through. You should have a lawyer read over the contract, and make changes as necessary (if Ryan Homes is not agreeable to fair changes in the contract, then run and don't look back). Get promises in writing. This is crucial. I was sold a bill of goods. After I purchased, I was told that they were sorry, but I had been misinformed. I have heard it before, and, now, without a doubt, I believe they are taught to not to feel shame or remorse.


All the best,