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I've thought just a little about it, and I think that...


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    maybe I got spoiled when I had my previous home built. We built in Orlando, Florida, just on the other side of the University of Central Florida on the east side of town. We had heard many a horror story about the grief involved with building a home. We had every intention of buying an existing home but just never walked into one that felt like us. Several folks at work had built in University Estates through Engle Homes, and, amazing as it seems, were quite happy! We took a chance and visited their models, and found one that fit us to a tee. At the time I had no way of judging how good this builder was, but I came to appreciate their up-front manner and high level of customer satisfaction. Nor did I understand how much value they put into the homes either free or as standard features...security system, underground sprinkler systems, fireplace, three car garage, cathedral ceilings and moving / modifying features with a smile.

     

    We recently returned to Northern Virginia, and once again were determined not to build, but only because we didn't want to wait 3 to 4 months again. And once again, after walking through half the homes for sale, we decided to build in order to live in a nicer area since there were no resales available. We decided on Quaker Homes based on what appeared to be a little higher quality construction even though they generally took 5 to 6 months to build. The nightmare begins !!! While trying to decide on a lot, we asked to see the plans for the lots we would back up to since they were laid out but not yet being built. No such luck. While negotiating on the home, it was explained to us that many of the features that we considered as standard, like a door in the basement, were all options. These "options" seemed to be about 100% inflated in price. $4000 sliding glass door in the basement, $500 for a ceiling fan, $23000 for a small sun room, $19000 for a wrap around porch. Ouch !!! Some items that made no sense, like the three light switches for the three kitchen lights were located on three different walls, one down at the end of a hallway, could not be changed. I think my biggest aggravation has actually been the lack of insight into the build schedule. The basement slab and walls went in over a month ago, but nothing else has happened. SInce they say they take about 120 days from foundation, I was getting concerned about a slip. When questioned, I was flabbergasted to hear they had no idea when they would be done because they had no idea as to when they would begin framing !! No plan !! On top of that, I have a sneaking suspicion that the 120 days won't begin until they do start framing, and now that it is getting closer to winter, they say they go to 150 days !!

    Check out my PERSONAL page under HOME GROWN SELECTIONS to see photos of the site, and perhaps one day, the house.

    I can guarrentee with absolute certainty that I will NEVER built again. I was fortunate enough to find a great builder the first time, so I now appear to be stuck with the bottom of the barrel this time. Not worth the chance that I could end up with another builder like Quaker Homes...life is not long enough to punish myself that way !!!

     

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Send me an e-mailLet me hear from you.

Find any bad links or have ones you would like to share?

  Everett A.Goodwin III
chunt@oocities.com