Quality home builders (Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville: bankrupt, construction, inspections)

[jrmcoop]

I am moving to Charleston area this summer. Any suggestions about new home builders to choose or to avoid? (I will be looking for a new home in the low 200's, 1700-1800 SF.) I am looking in the "east of Summerville" area; because I will work in both Summerville and North Charleston.

[DJShymansky]

I've had great experiences working with Centex in that area.

[pokrplr]

Centex built ours this year in Cane Bay, which is in Summerville and have had no major issues (few cosmetic) but that's to be expected...Overall pleased!

[SCDweller]

I have had good success with Centex as well as Saussy Burbank and Ryland Homes. That said, are you looking for a tract home builder? Or are you interested in interviewing and talking to independent builders in the area that could build you a home in Summerville?

[NS_Highlander]

I now have a Centex home and the company is fantastic. I closed 2 weeks ago and the site manager was here today to do a post closing walkthrough. Anytime I have a problem, all I have to do is pick up the phone and he is right there.

I have also spoken to Jessco and they are very good, transparent and have great service. In the tranquil hill subdivision they have some gorgeous town homes that are built with 2x6 studs and have architectural shingles.

Saussy Burbank is another good builder. Like Jessco they do nice work, offer great customer service and are transparent.

I have heard good things about Ryland and Eastwood

Meridian is a home builder here that just went bankrupt. I have seen some of their work first hand and I was not impressed. I looked at a resale they had built in Heatherwoods. The tour ended when I looked behind the siding and noticed that they didn't flash the windows before installation and they didn't apply a moisture barrier behind the siding.(for those of you who don't know this is housewrap or tarpaper). In another post a lady reported a whole range of issues with their work.

Another one I don't like is Keystone builders. What I will say, is that in my opinion their polices are not transparent. They don't allow phase inspections, walk throughs or you to ever converse with the site manager- EVER! This is on the books! I even know a realtor that will not deal with them. This is just scratching the surface on what I think of Keystone. You should be fine though as most of their homes are larger than what you are looking for. Should anyone one to learn more, just PM me and I will sing like a bird!

[laurab3]

Does anyone have any information about FirstCoast Homes, positive or negative? Thanks!

[NS_Highlander]

Originally Posted by laurab3

Does anyone have any information about FirstCoast Homes, positive or negative? Thanks!

I would like to know myself. They have some nice looking houses and they have expanded upon the standard 2-10 warranty with some in house coverage.

Does anyone know if they have transparent construction polices and back their work up post closing?

[GaryK]

Does Centex build elevated homes? Are they pre-fab or stick built? Thanks

[NS_Highlander]

Centex is stick built. Depending on your definition of elevated, they do not put them up on piers, but they raise the foundations with concrete blocks in the traditional Charleston singles homes they build.

[GaryK]

Oh Ok, I would need it on piers for the area of my lot. Do you know of any others?