Builder denies fix on warped pillars in front of Wake County home

A Wake County couple reached out to 5 On Your Side about a problem with their new home that’s become so noticeable, they say people walking by stop to take pictures.

"This is probably the worst one," Anna Madison said of her front porch columns. "This one as well is bowing out, but it’s bowing in a different direction."

Because they’re warped, she said they are causing more problems.

"You can see it’s starting to come loose here, and it’s not as stable as it should be," she said, shaking it.

Monica Laliberte measured the distance between the beams, the measuring tape showed 3 inches on one spot, and double that, 6 inches, in another.

The Madisons bought the south Wake County home less than four years ago from Stancil Builders of Angier.

In March, the couple noticed the warping and called Stancil.

Madison says in May, she spoke with a company representative who told her the fix was not part of her warranty.

"How can it not be covered? This is a part of the structure of the home," she said.

Madison says she called other contractors, saying each gave the same assessment: The pillars should be raised so that they don’t get all of the moisture from the rain.

She says those contractors also advised that her builder should take care of it.

Considering the repair estimates ranged from $3,200 and $4,700, Madison reached out to 5 On Your Side.

Monica Laliberte called Stancil Builders twice.

The second time, they said they’ll send correspondence to the customer.

Company president Freddie Stancil then emailed Madison, again saying he "cannot treat it as a warranty item since she is beyond the one-year period." He added he "is offering $1,000 for the repair as a goodwill gesture."

Madison says she’s not satisfied with that offer and feels Stancil should be "ashamed" to refuse to fix the warped columns.

"This is your work, is this what you call quality work. Is this what you want people to see as your quality work," she asked. "I don’t think that response is yes. I think it should be no, and we’re going to make it right."