Paradise council urged to audit building department over substandard home construction

The Town of Paradise Town Council meeting on July 8, 2025, focused on pressing concerns regarding the quality of new construction homes and the effectiveness of the building department. A contractor voiced serious allegations about substandard building practices, claiming that many homes were being constructed poorly and failing to meet inspection standards. He urged the council to hire an independent auditing firm to evaluate the building department's operations, citing numerous complaints from residents about issues such as toxic mold and structural failures in newly built homes.

The contractor shared a specific case of a family forced to live in a travel trailer due to severe mold problems in their home, which he claimed had never passed inspection. He criticized the building department for allegedly overlooking significant construction flaws and for issuing permits to individuals who were not the actual owners of the properties. He emphasized the need for more rigorous inspections and accountability within the building department to protect residents from unsafe living conditions.

In response, Aubrey Prewis, CEO of the Paradise Association of Realtors, highlighted the importance of educating realtors and buyers about construction quality and accountability. She proposed creating training programs to help realtors better inform potential homebuyers about what to look for in new homes, aiming to reduce the prevalence of bad construction practices in the community.

Council members expressed their agreement with the need for increased inspections and proactive measures to ensure compliance with building standards. They discussed the possibility of implementing spontaneous inspections to catch violations before they escalate and emphasized the importance of holding contractors accountable for their work.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for improvements in the building inspection process and the collaboration between the council, realtors, and contractors to enhance the quality of housing in Paradise. The council plans to further discuss these issues and explore actionable solutions in future meetings.