Advocates for Pulte/Del Webb homeowners and construction workers successfully addressed the company’s executives at the National Homebuilders’ Association “Building for Boomers” award ceremony on April 28 in Philadelphia.
In presenting the award, it was noted by the speaker that "Pulte Homes is considered to be one of, if not, the worst homebuilder in America." After the award presentation, the SMWIA representative thanked the individuals present for their time and urged them "not to spend the public's taxpayer funded bailout money all in one place." The award presentation was witnessed by approximately 400 representatives from throughout the U.S. residential construction industry.
Consumer and labor advocates gathered outside the hotel hosting the conference, alerting hotel guests, conference attendees and passerbys about the significance of the “lemon award” signifying the poor quality homes some homeowners have been burdened with, and the poor customer service they feel they have received.
The award was granted in conjunction with the release of a report titled “Poorly Built by Pulte, No Different at Del Webb.” The report includes responses from over 800 Pulte and Del Webb homeowners from California, Arizona and Nevada. Sixty-three percent of these respondents reported construction defects within their homes. Still, the NAHB has chosen to nominate multiple Del Webb tracts for awards that are supposed to honor the best communities for the 55+ market.