Trial News

Paul and Kristina Walton entered into a contract with Leaders Custom Homes (LCH) to design and construct a custom home. Approximately six months later, the couple moved into their new home and began to discover a vast array of defects. These included water leakage resulting in mold, buckling of laminate flooring, large ceiling cracks, insufficient insulation, a lack of flashing on exterior windows and doors, kitchen microwave outlet defects, and LP siding defects.

The Waltons sued LCH and its owner, Josh Bieber, alleging breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraudulent representation, theft, and negligent construction. The plaintiffs alleged that the defendants failed to meet the specifications in the parties’ contract and failed to remediate the home’s defects, which have devalued their investment and posed health hazards related to the mold growth.

An arbitrator awarded approximately $128,600.

Citation: Walton v. Leaders Custom Homes LLC, No. 2017-CV-003133 (Wis. Cir. Ct. Dane Cnty. Mar. 29, 2019).

Plaintiff counsel: Danielle Johnson and Jonathan Bruni, both of Madison, Wis.