HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous star Dave Marrs is sued after unhappy customer found house they built for them was defected with nearly two dozen code violations
A co-host of HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous is being sued by a couple who claim the house they bought from his company was incomplete and riddled with defects.
Dave Marrs owns several businesses and stars with his wife Jenny at renovation shows in their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas.
Benton County couple Matthew and Sarah McGrath filed a lawsuit against Marrs and his companies for breach of contract, claiming the home built for them was riddled with defects that were not remedied.
Court records reviewed by DailyMail.com show a structural investigation found 21 code violations and dozens of structural problems at the site at 6 Itetbury Lane.
“Please understand that these reports do not fully address the remedial work that will need to be carried out to correct the many defects in workmanship, but merely reflect my clients’ current understanding of the nature and extent of the repairs,” McGraths’ lawyer said in January. Letter from 2023 to Marrs.
Dave Marrs (left), who co-hosts HGTV’s Fixer to Fabulous with his wife Jenny (right), is being sued by a couple who claim the house they bought from his company is defective
Matthew and Sarah McGrath bought the property at 6 Itetbury Lane (pictured) from Marr’s company Jupiter Rentals for $559,000 in 2022
The McGraths entered into a contract with Marr’s company Jupiter Rentals to purchase the property in May 2022, according to the lawsuit.
The couple purchased the property for $559,000 and made an initial down payment of $15,000.
As part of the contract, the McGraths requested specific upgrades by Jupiter and Marrs Construction.
In an agreement for additional work on the home, the purchase price was increased by $10,125, according to the lawsuit.
The McGraths conducted an inspection of the property before closing and sent a list of repairs to Jupiter.
The McGraths said Marrs agreed to make numerous repairs to the property, but failed to do so and found more during subsequent inspections.
A report from the structural investigation revealed defects in the floor construction in the kitchen (photo), the dining room and the entrance
Defects were also found in the beams and columns, foundations, cracked exterior slabs, deck, patio, retaining walls and site layout
Jupiter agreed to make several repairs to the home after the McGraths’ purchase, which would be completed within 30 days, with the exception of the installation of replacement windows, which would be completed 90 days after closing, according to the lawsuit.
The couple officially purchased the home on July 28, 2022, and said none of the agreed-upon repairs had been completed as of August 28 of that same year.
A structural investigation report dated November 12, 2022 revealed defects in window slats, roof frames, external walls, external stairs, floor frames in the kitchen, dining room and entrance.
There were also defects in the beams and columns, foundation, cracked exterior siding, deck, patio, retaining walls and site layout.
The inspection report said: ‘The problems we observed will continue and worsen until they are resolved.’
“We believe the house needs repairs to the roof structure, deflections of the main floor structure, framing and bracing of the exterior wall, reinstallation of the windows, vinyl siding, window and door flashing and brick veneer.
Marrs (right) owns several businesses and stars with his wife Jenny (left) at several renovation shows in their hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas
‘Repair and redesign of the aft deck to eliminate water infiltration and foundation problems. In addition, grading and drainage modifications will need to be made, plus possible structural improvements to the retaining walls,” the report said.
According to an inspector’s estimate, it would cost $38,740 to repair the driveway and walkways, as well as $47,862 for landscaping and grading, including the installation of a French drain.
According to a letter from the McGraths’ attorney, the estimates did not include the nearly $1,900 the couple spent “in efforts to discover the extent of the defects in the home’s construction.”
The McGraths are demanding that all costs of repairs to their home be paid by the Marrs companies and that damages be determined at trial.
A five-day jury trial begins on September 23.