Cane Island new build: moved out after 4 months—major defects documented
We chose Highland Homes in Cane Island (Katy) believing we were making a safe, premium choice for our family (including hosting my widowed mother and running a home office). Only four months after move-in, we had to leave... We’ve now been displaced for over two years while still paying the mortgage.
In our case, issues began during construction. Our independent inspector flagged foundation concerns before the slab pour; the slab was poured three days later without written proof of corrections. We saw framing lumber stored in mud and water. The entire brick delivery arrived with dark stains; we declined a $2,000 offer tied to a confidentiality agreement, and the bricks were later replaced.
After move-in, problems multiplied quickly: leaks from the attic and through a bathroom ceiling; a morning where we collected a bucket of water; Formosan termites found in the attic and a wall (experts linked this to inadequate soil/wood treatments); mold confirmed by lab testing, with our kids developing respiratory symptoms and my wife experiencing pulmonary issues.
Independent engineering evaluations concluded the slab/foundation was the central failure: porous concrete, unsuitable/cracked aggregates and voids allowing moisture to wick upward. This isn’t cosmetic—it affects durability and long-term performance. Secondary damage followed: flooring buckling from moisture; roof/ceiling sag; cracks around windows and misaligned doors; envelope/HVAC concerns (insulation gaps, unsealed penetrations, humidity control overwhelmed). We also encountered drainage/irrigation problems contributing to moisture and pest activity.
All findings are documented with photos, construction-phase videos, and multiple independent expert reports. We have pursued resolution through the formal process and mediation; it has been exhausting—financially and emotionally—while we rent elsewhere and continue paying the mortgage on a home we cannot occupy.
I’m sharing our firsthand experience so other buyers can make informed decisions. If you’re considering a new build, hire your own inspector at every phase, get corrective actions in writing, and if you see early red flags, be ready to walk away—even late in the process.
If you want a visual to the full story, you can go on youtube and type "Dolcefino Horror Home". It's a video from a Houston journalist that summarizes our case (9 minutes).