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Commitments and Contingencies | 9 Months Ended
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Aug. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and contingencies include typical obligations of homebuilders for the completion of contracts and those incurred in the ordinary course of business. Warranty. We provide a limited warranty on all of our homes. The specific terms and conditions of these limited warranties vary depending upon the market in which we do business. We generally provide a structural warranty of 10 years, a warranty on electrical, heating, cooling, plumbing and certain other building systems each varying from two to five years based on geographic market and state law, and a warranty of one year for other components of the home. Our limited warranty program is ordinarily how we respond to and account for homeowners’ requests to local division offices seeking repairs, including claims where we could have liability under applicable state statutes or tort law for a defective condition in or damages to a home. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under each limited warranty and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the revenue associated with the sale of each home is recognized. Our primary assumption in estimating the amounts we accrue for warranty costs is that historical claims experience is a strong indicator of future claims experience. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of homes delivered, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. We periodically assess the adequacy of our accrued warranty liability, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets, and adjust the amount as necessary based on our assessment. Our assessment includes the review of our actual warranty costs incurred to identify trends and changes in our warranty claims experience, and considers our home construction quality and customer service initiatives and outside events. While we believe the warranty liability currently reflected in our consolidated balance sheets to be adequate, unanticipated changes or developments in the legal environment, local weather, land or environmental conditions, quality of materials or methods used in the construction of homes, or customer service practices could have a significant impact on our actual warranty costs in future periods and such amounts could differ from our current estimates. The changes in our warranty liability are as follows (in thousands):
| Nine Months Ended August 31, |  | Three Months Ended August 31,
| 2013 |  | 2012 |  | 2013 |  | 2012
Balance at beginning of period | $ | 47,822 |  |  | $ | 67,693 |  |  | $ | 53,475 |  |  | $ | 50,866 |
Warranties issued | 10,052 |  |  | 5,263 |  |  | 3,733 |  |  | 2,290 |
Payments | (30,867 | ) |  | (14,609 | ) |  | (12,654 | ) |  | (5,906 | )
Adjustments | 23,478 |  |  | (11,021 | ) |  | 5,931 |  |  | 76 |
Balance at end of period | $ | 50,485 |  |  | $ | 47,326 |  |  | $ | 50,485 |  |  | $ | 47,326 |
Central and Southwest Florida Claims. During 2012, we received claims from homeowners in certain of our communities in central and southwest Florida that primarily involved framing, stucco, roofing and/or sealant matters on homes we delivered between 2003 and 2009, many of which have resulted in water intrusion-related issues. While we initially believed these issues were isolated, after additional investigation we determined in the fourth quarter of 2012 that more homes and communities may have been affected. Throughout 2013, we have continued our investigations in an effort to identify the scope of the issues, to fully understand the causes and to address them as quickly and completely as possible. During the nine months ended August 31, 2013, through our continued efforts to identify, examine and repair homes that may have been impacted by these issues, the number of identified affected homes and our estimate of the total repair costs associated with those homes were revised upward. However, due to the range and varied and complex nature of the water intrusion-related issues we encountered, prior to the second quarter of 2013, we were unable to estimate the number of affected homes likely to be identified in the future and the repair costs associated with those homes. As our assessment process progressed during the second and third quarters of 2013, we believed we had accumulated adequate experience with these water intrusion-related issues to be able to reasonably estimate as of the end of each respective period the number of homes that are likely to be identified in the future and the probable repair costs associated with such homes, in addition to revising our estimate of the repair costs associated with homes already identified. Based on the status of our ongoing investigations and repair efforts, our overall warranty liability at August 31, 2013 included $23.7 million for estimated remaining repair costs associated with homes in central and southwest Florida that have been identified as having water intrusion-related issues and estimated repair costs associated with similarly affected homes in central and southwest Florida that we believe are likely to be identified in the future. As of August 31, 2013, as further described below, this amount encompasses what we believe is the probable overall cost of the repair effort remaining before insurance and other recoveries. As of August 31, 2013, we had identified a total of 1,341 affected homes requiring more than minor repairs and resolved repairs on 583 of them. During the nine months ended August 31, 2013, we paid $21.4 million to repair such homes. As of August 31, 2013, we had paid $25.4 million of the total estimated repair costs of $49.1 million associated with the affected homes that have been identified and the homes that we believe are likely to be identified in the future. Approximately half of the total estimated repair costs as of August 31, 2013 related to two attached-home communities. We consider warranty-related repairs for homes to be resolved when all repairs are complete and all repair costs are fully paid. We anticipate resolving repairs on homes affected by the water intrusion-related issues by the end of 2014. As discussed below, largely due to the evolving scope of these water intrusion-related issues encountered, we recorded charges, net of estimated probable recoveries as applicable, during each of the first three quarters of 2013 to increase our overall warranty liability for all of our previously delivered homes that are covered under our limited warranty, including affected homes in central and southwest Florida. In addition to reflecting the remaining estimated repair costs associated with homes in central and southwest Florida that have been identified as having water intrusion-related issues, the charges recorded in the second and third quarters of 2013 included estimated repair costs associated with similarly affected homes in central and southwest Florida that we believe are likely to be identified in the future. Our investigations and repair efforts in central and southwest Florida remain ongoing. While we have been able to make a determination of the probable overall cost of the repair effort, depending on the number of additional affected homes that are identified and the actual costs we incur to repair identified affected homes in future periods, we may revise the estimated amount of our liability with respect to this matter, which could result in an increase or decrease in our overall warranty liability. As of August 31, 2013, based on our investigation into the central and southwest Florida water intrusion-related issues, we believe it is probable that we will recover a portion of our total estimated repair costs associated with affected homes from various sources, including subcontractors involved with the original construction of the homes and their insurers. Our investigation into the water intrusion-related issues, including the process of determining potentially responsible parties and our efforts to obtain recoveries, is ongoing, and as a result, our estimate of probable recoveries may change as additional information is obtained. Other Claims. With respect to potential recoveries on claims regarding other homes previously delivered, we have tendered claims with responsible liability insurance carriers, seeking reimbursement of costs we have incurred to make repairs and to handle claims. We intend to continue to undertake efforts, including legal proceedings, to obtain reimbursement from various sources, including subcontractors, suppliers and their insurers, for the costs we have incurred or expect to incur to investigate and complete repairs and to defend ourselves in litigation. We have not recorded any amounts for potential future recoveries as of August 31, 2013 related to these claims regarding other homes previously delivered. Global Settlement Regarding Allegedly Defective Drywall Material. As of August 31, 2013, we were a defendant in eight lawsuits relating to allegedly defective drywall manufactured in China. Seven of the lawsuits are “omnibus” class actions purportedly filed on behalf of numerous homeowners asserting claims for damages against drywall manufacturers, homebuilders and other parties in the supply chain of the allegedly defective drywall material. These class actions are now in the process of being dismissed pursuant to a final global settlement of claims approved in February 2013 by the federal court judge overseeing a multidistrict litigation case — In re: Chinese Manufactured Drywall Products Liability Litigation (MDL-2047). We were also a defendant in one lawsuit brought in Florida state court by individual homeowners. Except for the Florida state court case, the global settlement resolved all current claims against us, including the seven omnibus class actions in which we were named as a defendant, and bars any future claims against all participating defendants, including us. Our total obligation as a participating defendant under the global settlement was $.3 million, which we paid on March 25, 2013. We also expect to receive certain amounts under the global settlement in 2014 based on repairs we made to homes of certain settlement class members. The plaintiffs in the Florida state court case opted out of the global settlement, and we settled the case with the plaintiffs. Overall Warranty Liability Assessment. In assessing our overall warranty liability at a reporting date, we evaluate the costs for warranty-related items on a combined basis for all of our previously delivered homes that are under our limited warranty, which would include any such homes in central and southwest Florida that have been identified as having water intrusion-related issues and similarly affected homes in central and southwest Florida that we believe are likely to be identified in the future. During the three months ended August 31, 2013, based on our assessment of our overall warranty liability, we recorded an adjustment to increase our overall warranty liability by $5.9 million with a corresponding charge to construction and land costs in our consolidated statement of operations. This adjustment was largely related to one attached-home community in Florida where our assessment of water intrusion-related repair efforts during the three months ended August 31, 2013 led us to increase our estimate of the costs to resolve repairs at the community. In particular, we determined that additional, previously unanticipated, repair work would need to be undertaken, and that the costs for certain items, including framing material and labor, stucco and windows, would be significantly higher than previously expected. To a lesser extent, the adjustment for the three months ended August 31, 2013 also reflected the identification of 201 additional affected homes at other communities in central and southwest Florida, and a slight increase in our estimate of the total number of affected homes that are likely to be identified in the future. The increases in the number of homes identified and likely to be identified in the future were partly offset by a reduction in our estimate of the repair costs per home at these other communities in central and southwest Florida. For the nine months ended August 31, 2013, we recorded adjustments to increase our warranty liability by $23.5 million with a corresponding charge to construction and land costs in our consolidated statements of operations. The aggregate adjustment for the nine months ended August 31, 2013 reflected the remaining estimated repair costs associated with homes in central and southwest Florida that have been identified as having water intrusion-related issues and the estimated repair costs associated with similarly affected homes in central and southwest Florida that we believe are likely to be identified in the future, net of estimated probable recoveries of such repair costs and other adjustments. As noted above, prior to the three months ended May 31, 2013, we were unable to estimate the repair costs associated with affected homes in central and southwest Florida that are likely to be identified in the future. Depending on the number of additional homes in central and southwest Florida that are identified as having water intrusion-related issues, and the actual costs we incur in future periods to repair homes identified and homes that will be identified, and/or homes affected by other issues, including costs to provide affected homeowners with temporary housing, we may revise the amount of our estimated liability, which could result in an increase or decrease in our overall warranty liability. Based on our investigations of the water intrusion-related issues in central and southwest Florida, we believe that our warranty liability is adequate to cover the estimated probable total repair costs on these affected homes and on homes affected by other issues, though we believe it is reasonably possible that our loss in this matter could exceed the amount accrued as of August 31, 2013 by up to $10 million. Guarantees. In the normal course of our business, we issue certain representations, warranties and guarantees related to our home sales and land sales that may be affected by Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 460, “Guarantees.” Based on historical evidence, we do not believe any potential liability with respect to these representations, warranties or guarantees would be material to our consolidated financial statements. Insurance. We maintain, and require the majority of our subcontractors to maintain, general liability insurance (including construction defect and bodily injury coverage) and workers’ compensation insurance. These insurance policies protect us against a portion of our risk of loss from claims related to our homebuilding activities, subject to certain self-insured retentions, deductibles and other coverage limits. We self-insure a portion of our overall risk through the use of a captive insurance subsidiary. We also maintain certain other insurance policies. In Arizona, California, Colorado and Nevada, our subcontractors’ general liability insurance primarily takes the form of a wrap-up policy, where eligible subcontractors are enrolled as insureds on each project. Enrolled subcontractors contribute toward the cost of the insurance and agree to pay a contractual amount in the future in the event of a claim related to their work. For those enrolled subcontractors, we absorb their general liability associated with the work performed on our homes within the applicable projects as part of our overall general liability insurance and our self-insurance through our captive insurance subsidiary. We record expenses and liabilities based on the estimated costs required to cover our self-insured retention and deductible amounts under our insurance policies, and the estimated costs of potential claims and claim adjustment expenses that are above our coverage limits or that are not covered by our insurance policies. These estimated costs are based on an analysis of our historical claims and include an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported. Our estimated liabilities for such items were $92.1 million at August 31, 2013 and $93.3 million at November 30, 2012. These amounts are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. Our expenses associated with self-insurance totaled $2.1 million for the three months ended August 31, 2013 and $1.2 million for the three months ended August 31, 2012. For the nine months ended August 31, 2013 and 2012, our expenses associated with self-insurance totaled $5.5 million and $5.8 million, respectively. These expenses were largely offset by contributions from subcontractors participating in the wrap-up policy. Performance Bonds and Letters of Credit. We are often required to provide to various municipalities and other government agencies performance bonds and/or letters of credit to secure the completion of our projects and/or in support of obligations to build community improvements such as roads, sewers, water systems and other utilities, and to support similar development activities by certain of our unconsolidated joint ventures. At August 31, 2013, we had $364.7 million of performance bonds and $41.1 million of letters of credit outstanding. At November 30, 2012, we had $286.1 million of performance bonds and $41.9 million of letters of credit outstanding. If any such performance bonds or letters of credit are called, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the performance bond or letter of credit. We do not believe that a material amount of any currently outstanding performance bonds or letters of credit will be called. Performance bonds do not have stated expiration dates. Rather, we are released from the performance bonds as the underlying performance obligations are completed. The expiration dates of some letters of credit issued in connection with community improvements coincide with the expected completion dates of the related projects or obligations. Most letters of credit, however, are issued with an initial term of one year and are typically extended on a year-to-year basis until the related performance obligations are completed. Land Option Contracts. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into land option contracts and other similar contracts to acquire rights to land for the construction of homes. At August 31, 2013, we had total deposits of $44.1 million, comprised of $44.0 million of cash deposits and $.1 million of letters of credit, to purchase land having an aggregate purchase price of $825.0 million. Our land option contracts and other similar contracts generally do not contain provisions requiring our specific performance.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name FASB Interpretation (FIN) -Number 14 -Paragraph 3 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.25) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6449706&loc=d3e16207-108621 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 460 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6398077&loc=d3e12565-110249 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 450 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14435-108349 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 440 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394976&loc=d3e25287-109308 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 5 -Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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