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Old 08-22-2012, 11:46 AM
 
812 posts, read 2,186,395 times
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I've found that when you build a house from the ground up, it's best to get to know the site builder/foreman. Stop by and bring coffee and donuts. Ask questions. Be nice. Be polite. If he knows you're involved he'll pay more attention to your home.

Built an Ashton Woods home in Allen and we got a bucket load of stuff for free like a bricked front porch. Nice works.
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Old 08-23-2012, 09:31 AM
 
3,478 posts, read 6,567,265 times
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I'm curious too...the BBB link seems legit and it does say they have an A+ rating...that doesn't jive with what a lot of people have said. I don't think you are wrong for investigating the potential good and bad.
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Old 08-23-2012, 12:15 PM
 
Location: DFW
40,963 posts, read 49,278,180 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mSooner View Post
I'm curious too...the BBB link seems legit and it does say they have an A+ rating...that doesn't jive with what a lot of people have said. I don't think you are wrong for investigating the potential good and bad.
They lost their Accreditation a few years ago and had a bad rating. I see they are still not accredited. but they must have responded to complaints recently.

Anyone contemplating a Grand home should talk to about 3-4 RE agents about resale. It's not good. In my 15 years of RE they have consistently ranked at or near the bottom of JD Powers customer surveys.
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Old 08-24-2012, 02:26 AM
 
Location: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
4,207 posts, read 15,271,668 times
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I don't put too much weight into the BBB accreditation. Some of the best builders like Drees, Khovnanian, and Standard Pacific are not accredited. It just takes to pay a fee to the BBB to be accredited and they get to write a little overview about the builder.

Naima
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Old 08-28-2012, 12:09 AM
 
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How do you find a qualified stage by stage inspection? And how much do you expect to pay them? Thank you
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Old 08-28-2012, 06:45 AM
 
812 posts, read 2,186,395 times
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Originally Posted by Allendo71 View Post
How do you find a qualified stage by stage inspection? And how much do you expect to pay them? Thank you

I'd check out Angie's list or Service Master. Also google "dallas home inspectors".

I would assume we're talking about $30 an hour with some kind of minimum. But it might be worth it if it saves you thousands and hassle in the long term.

There are a lot of Realtors on this forum so they may be able to give you some advice, unless there's some legal liability. After all, it's 2012, and everyone sues everyone.
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Old 08-28-2012, 06:51 AM
 
Location: DFW
40,963 posts, read 49,278,180 times
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Originally Posted by Allendo71 View Post
How do you find a qualified stage by stage inspection? And how much do you expect to pay them? Thank you
I have several clients building homes and using Inspectors. If you need the name of a good Inspector I've used for over 12 years give me a DM. He's done all my and my kids homes.

He will have a flat fee for coming out. A final Inspection on an average size new home can run about $350-400.
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Old 08-28-2012, 07:03 AM
 
2,348 posts, read 4,823,412 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by starvinmarvin View Post
Hey guys,
I recently signed a contract with Grand homes to build a home for me.
Without consulting the City Data braintrust first!! Nooo!! Anyway, whats done is done..Make sure you have a good attorney, and like others have said hire an inspector you trust, pay him more than he wants. And then get your tuchis to the job site and give the Foreman more than donuts and coffee. Throw him $500 cash in addition to the donuts, refuse to let him refuse it, and tell him you would like every aspect of your home installed correctly, to be square and quality checked. If he refuses, I would at the very least try and bribe the subs that work on the critical areas of the home. Foundation, plumbing, framers, HVAC, electrician...BUt seriously make yourself standout with that Foreman if you can, or even the PM of that phase. Whatever it takes, do it, because Grand overall is sure to cut corners if you don't watch like a hawk.

Again, make sure you have a qualified attorney as well.
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Old 08-28-2012, 07:09 AM
 
812 posts, read 2,186,395 times
Reputation: 864
Quote:
Originally Posted by skids929 View Post
Without consulting the City Data braintrust first!! Nooo!! Anyway, whats done is done..Make sure you have a good attorney, and like others have said hire an inspector you trust, pay him more than he wants. And then get your tuchis to the job site and give the Foreman more than donuts and coffee. Throw him $500 cash in addition to the donuts, refuse to let him refuse it, and tell him you would like every aspect of your home installed correctly, to be square and quality checked. If he refuses, I would at the very least try and bribe the subs that work on the critical areas of the home. Foundation, plumbing, framers, HVAC, electrician...BUt seriously make yourself standout with that Foreman if you can, or even the PM of that phase. Whatever it takes, do it, because Grand overall is sure to cut corners if you don't watch like a hawk.

Again, make sure you have a qualified attorney as well.
Skids, the donuts and coffee worked for me and Ashton Woods.

I think the key is for the buyer to be very involved with every stage of the process, like you said. Especially with Grand.
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Old 08-28-2012, 07:15 AM
 
2,348 posts, read 4,823,412 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ggolf View Post
Skids, the donuts and coffee worked for me and Ashton Woods.

I think the key is for the buyer to be very involved with every stage of the process, like you said. Especially with Grand.
Agreed..But AW is a great builder! You could have stood there on site everyday with your arms crossed and still got a sweet home built. I really like AW, great floor plans, and quality, they just aren't in enough locations.

But your 100% correct, being involved is going to be key for this fella.
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