TOPIC: Update - Chinese Drywall - The Lawyers Have Landed

Well, you knew this was coming.  The Chinese drywall problem is worsening.  As it does, people will be looking for more and more remedies.

www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/03/18/the-la...ver-chinese-drywall/

In addition to the plumbing, electrical and air conditioner problems, people are now reporting damage to televisions, computers, microwaves, refrigerators, various electrical appliances, jewelry, door stops - this list will grow with time.  This problem will grow with time.  We import Chinese stuff all the time.  Our relationship has grown with time.  It is time we stop to rethink this trade relationship.

Do you think importers are going to wise up?  Think carefully...

And you knew this was going to happen - one if by land, two if by sea.  A big Washington D.C. law firm has gotten involved.  "We know for a fact that this product is in Virginia, Louisiana and California," says Charles LaDuca, of Washington, D.C.-based law firm Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca. "The breadth of the problem is just unfolding."

I'll bet...

The main builder involved, Lennar, says it is a victim just like the homeowners.  It blames Knauf Gips of Germany and its Chinese affiliate, Knauf Plasterboard of Tianjin, the drywall manufacturer.  Lennar also blames the subcontractors.  I'm not sure how the subs would have known better, but when a finger can get pointed, it usually is.  The subs, in turn, blame the builder for its specifications.  I don't know who Knauf is blaming, but eventually it will blame somebody.

Who to blame?  This is not accidental.  Think carefully...

Caveat emptor! Take the hint - it is a Chinese product!!

My recommendation:  Before you buy anything, anything!, look at where it was manufactured.  And think carefully...

Man this is crazy stuff. 

Just curious if anyone has run across any on an inspection?

I just got an email from FREA asking me to add a disclaimer into my Pre-inspection agreement. Here is their message:

CHINESE DRYWALL

As plaintiff's attorneys begin to salivate over the defective Chinese Drywall issues, FREA is urging all its Members to include the following in their pre-inspection agreements:

This inspector is not qualified to detect the presence of Chinese Drywall. Accordingly the issue of Chinese Drywall (and its potential problems) is beyond the scope of the inspection report.


How about that one!

Sounds pretty good but I don't know that I would change my contract for that.  I might consider putting it in the report someplace.  I have a place up front where I put notices.  That might be a good location for something like that.

I think Daren's right. Something like this is likely to become a legal battle down the road. I'd add it to the contract so it's signed BEFORE you start the inspection.