Suzan, you have my complete sympathy. Much of the country is like this, although not usually in such a new building. I'm glad I don't have to buy real estate here--so much of the workmanship is as you describe. I'm also amazed that there is so little pre-fab concrete done. It's all poured in situ which can't be good for quality either (and your pictures prove it).

For those people who buy in the Pearl, I'm expecting their investment to help build a vibrant aquatic ecoculture and coastal reef when those buildings all fall down into the gulf in another 20 years.

There's no one finger to point at here. A labourer gets off a plane and his sponsor says, "You are now an electrician" here's your shopping bag of electrical tape and light bulbs. Another is assigned as a plumber, and so on. I think western companies should bring their own consulting engineers to inspect housing before signing the lease for their employees.

Cosmetic problems are one thing, but will the building still be standing for as long as I'm living in it? That's the critical question.