Home and Condo Defects: A Consumer Guide to Faulty Construction

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Summary: A "must" for every homeowner
Review: Home And Condo Defects: A Consumer Guide To Faulty Construction by Thomas and Rachel Miller offer the non-specialist general reader a wealth of information and resources designed specifically for homeowners, and presented in direct, straightforward language for the lay person. Its primary purpose is not a do-it-yourself repair book, but rather a guide to complex and variable legal codes covering what is a defect, what a homeowner's responsibilities are, the responsibilities of the insurance companies, and what to do if one is sued or forced to sue. An extremely practical book, Home And Condo Defects is a "must" for every homeowner stranded in today's increasingly complex and problematic legal system.

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Summary: San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 16, 2001:
Review: SF Chron: The Millers are attorneys whose firm has won many millions of dollars in awards from developers for construction defects. Their slender, soft-cover book guides the home buyer through the typically long and winding process. At its best, the book serves as translator for all of the legalese that confronts a consumer in search of relief for such problems as leaking roofs, toxic mold and cracked foundations. At its worst, the book underscores the need for attorneys, which, need I remind you, is what the Millers are. Yet they resist the temptation to say, "If we were representing you, we would. . . ." And they freely remind you that you can get much of the information in their book for a click of the mouse. The scoop is presented in both places in a fairly breezy, confidential, tete-a-tete style of writing that any reader would find accessible. For emphasis, each chapter ends with do's and -don'ts (about who can sue, what lawyers can argue, the role of insurance), which are recapped in the appendix. The appendix also answers 12 of the most-asked questions about construction defects, lists 11 "Trust me, I'm the builder" myths and outlines the top 15 reasons builders face construction defect lawsuits. No. 1 of the latter, by the way, is poor customer service. Which is the big reason why, if you suspect your home has defects, you will want to pick up a copy of this book. -- by Susan Fornoff