Stearman

Defendant Centex Homes appeals from a judgment in favor of plaintiffs Jeffrey and Linda Stearman in a strict liability action arising out of defendant's defective construction of the foundation of plaintiffs' tract home, resulting in severe slab movement and deformation. The defects caused extensive cracks throughout the interior and exterior surfaces of the home.

The issue is not whether a defendant builder of mass produced housing may be held strictly liable for construction defects. The affirmative answer to that question is firmly established in California cases beginning 30 years ago with Kriegler v. Eichler Homes, Inc. (1969) 269 Cal.App.2d 224 , 74 Cal.Rptr. 749 . (See, inter alia, Fleck v. Bollinger Home Corp. (1997) 54 Cal.App.4th 926 , 63 Cal.Rptr.2d 407 ; Alcal Roofing & Insulation v. Superior Court (1992) 8 Cal.App.4th 1121 , 10 Cal.Rptr.2d 844 ; Becker v. McMillin Construction Co. (1991) 226 Cal.App.3d 1493 , 277 Cal.Rptr. 491 ; Orndorff v. Christiana Community Builders (1990) 217 Cal.App.3d 683 , 266 Cal.Rptr. 193 ; GEM Developers v. Hallcraft Homes of San Diego, Inc. (1989) 213 Cal.App.3d 419 , 261 Cal.Rptr. 626 ; Gentry Construction Co. v. Superior…