AG Steps In After Problems With Newly Built Suburban Homes Arise

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) - Homeowners throughout the Philadelphia suburbs are reporting issues with how their new homes were built.

Now, the Pennsylvania Attorney General is holding one company based in Montgomery County responsible.

Bruce Beemer filed a civil lawsuit against The Cutler Group after an investigation by the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Sarah Frasch with the Bureau says they feel the company did several things wrong, like...

"...having too thin of a stucco layer. The weather barrier was allegedly installed improperly. And then flashings around windows and doors were not done according to industry standards."

This, she says, resulting in numerous problems:

"So the consumers have complained that their homes have significant water damage. Some of the homes actually have mold and decay and have to be torn down, at least the exterior of the homes, and then replaced."

So Frasch says Beemer took action:

"We would like to help the consumers at least remediating some of these issues. Our lawsuit seeks restitution. It also seeks an injunction to prevent future violations of the law."

Plus, she says, civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation, $3,000 if the homeowner is 60 or older.

Frasch says the costs to repair the homes varies, but at least one homeowner had to spend over $120,000.

"There are probably over 1,000 Cutler homes in the area. If the home has some kind of stucco exterior finish or a similar substitute, those homes could have the same defect."

If you feel this includes your home, Frasch says to let them know by calling 1-800-441-2555 or by filing a complaint at www.attorneygeneral.gov.

The Cutler Group did not return KYW Newsradio's call for comment.