Douglaville woman bought a new home for her family. Now she says it could cost $534K to fix

A Douglasville homeowner says she has spent tens of thousands of dollars trying to address structural problems at her home. Now, she says she has reached another obstacle: The builder will not negotiate directly with her while she represents herself.

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Yalanda Williams says she can no longer afford an attorney after spending $72,000 over four years, much of it from her life savings, hiring structural engineers and addressing problems she says have plagued her home.

“I bought a new construction home because I thought it would be safe for me and my family,” Williams said.

Williams said she purchased the home in 2017 and began noticing foundation problems about a year later. She said multiple engineers have since identified structural defects that are causing portions of the home to sink.

Williams said a July Douglas County inspection report documented several issues, including split studs, foundation cracks, sagging drywall and nail pops.

“You’ll see in the basement there are metal bars protruding through the concrete wall,” Williams said.

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Williams said builder Meritage Homes completed some repairs under her home warranty, but she claims the problems have worsened over the past three years.

Legal documents reviewed by Channel 2 Action News indicate more than $500,000 in repairs may be needed to correct the reported defects.

Williams said Meritage offered her nearly $27,000. Emails between Williams and the company reviewed by Channel 2 Action News show the two sides have been discussing the dispute.

But Williams says she has hit a roadblock because she can no longer afford an attorney.

According to an Oct. 15 email reviewed by Channel 2 Action News, Meritage indicated it would not negotiate directly with Williams while she represents herself.

Williams said hiring another attorney is financially out of reach.

“If you can’t pay $250 an hour, you don’t get an arbitrator. You don’t get a hearing. You don’t get a settlement,” Williams said.

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Channel 2 Action News contacted Meritage Homes seeking a response to Williams’ claims and questions about its position on negotiating directly with her. The company had not responded as of publication.

Williams said she previously tried taking the dispute to court, but the case was dismissed and sent to arbitration.

Williams says that has left her at a standstill as she tries to resolve the dispute without paying for another attorney.

“Either I find $534,000 to repair my house, or I walk away,” Williams said.