Arizona Homebuilder Hit With Stiff Damage Award

Several hundred Sun City Grand homeowners in Surprise have been awarded nearly $14 million in one of the largest construction-defect cases in Arizona history.

The Arizona Republic reports the money was awarded by an arbitration panel against developer Del Webb Communities Incorporated, a subsidiary of PulteGroup Incorporated.

The money was awarded to some 460 Sun City Grand homeowners.

Attorney Stephen Weber said that 413 of the households could not join the arbitration for legal reasons and are awaiting a trial date in Maricopa County Superior Court.

The award includes $7.9 million in damages and $5.7 million in legal fees and costs.

PulteGroup Vice President James Zeumer says they plan to challenge the award in state court because the company believes several items are unacceptable including the decision to award attorneys and experts nearly as much as the homeowners.