I had a new home construction and renovation company in Canada before moving here 7 yrs ago to get into the granite business, so I know a little about construction standards. With few exceptions the quality of construction I see on a daily basis, mostly in homes no more than 15-20 yrs old, is pathetic. Tract homes typically use the cheapest materials possible and I RARELY run into a square wall corner and most of the kitchen cabinets are cheap crap made in china. A lot of the time the actual installation is so bad that a tile counter top was likely the only option left.

Some of the tract homes in Encinitas Ranch are some of the worst I have run across in terms of quality of kitchen cabinets and installation. Million dollar plus homes with cheap press board cabinets with the plastic coating that peels if you stare at it too long. Unbelievable!

What I would consider sub-standard work is considered acceptable, people’s expectations seem to be so low. I am appalled by some of the things contractors get away with. Folks need to make sure their contractor is licensed and not settle for anything less than a quality job, even if that means getting the State Licensing Board involved. That is what they are there for.