KB Homes (wood floors, window, cost, building)

[SparkyT]

I have a few questions...
We are looking at new home construction and really like the KB homes model here in St. Cloud, Florida area.

anyone have any feed back about KB Homes?
what about upgrade prices? (I've read window casing are upgrades???)
If you had a KB home built would you do it again with them? why/why not?

I'm really trying to find out the actual Upgrade prices so we can determine if we want to just get the standard stuff and upgrade things later on our own.
I rather know now before going to the KB studio and get swept up in all the "pretty stuff" for upgrades and then can't afford the house!

Thanks for the feedback

[CBB]

Uh oh - I wouldn't built a KB home. I remember a website called kbhomesucks, which has obviously been shut down. But if you google for kb+sucks you'll meet a lot of very angry people who also once liked a KB model.

[dynimagelv]

Owned a KB home in New Jersey........great for looks.....lousy for construction and double talk. Would never own another one.

[humboldtrat]

Check out the Sacramento subforum "Woodland KB Homes . . ". No one seems to like KB homes built in the the Sacramento, CA area - lousy construction!

[Beretta]

When we lived in San Antonio TX the KB homes were considered sub par in the community. I don't know if that is still the case or not.

[SparkyT]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

any suggestions on a good builder that does not cost an arm and a leg here in Orlando, Fla. area?

[PrecociousJewel]

We're building with M/I Homes in charlotte, NC and have been very pleased with them so far. I think they have some new home communities in Orlando too. Cannot vouch for their local rep in that area but we've been had a good experience with them here in North Carolina. Good Luck on your house hunt.

[garth]

KB is known as an entry level new home builder. You can generally get more new house sq footage for a cheaper price than other builders that are considered more upscale. That cheaper sq ft price has to come from somewhere, which may be in lower quailty construction techniques, cheaper components, and/or missing trim.

As for optional features, it's pretty common that you can add them for less cost in the regular market than through the builder. Perhaps something that would be very instrusive to add later might be a good choice to do with the builder. Otherwise, you'll save some by later going with a contractor or save a lot by doing it yourself.

The propblem for many comes with spending any money after they've bought a house. Oftentimes they've used most/all of their money to get into the house. The builders know this and will rape the buyers on the costs of any add-ons. They know that people often want certain things (i.e., grantie, wood floors, window coverings, etc.) and also know that they can't afford it unless it's included in the mortgage. It's a captive market that ends up costing the buyers thousands more than the already inflated options costs since it's also hit with the mortgage costs over the term of the loan.

[amichel]

We built a KB home in SA -- I would RUN! I have heard Toll Brothers is reputable.

[Cornerguy1]

Just a word of caution, fellow CDers.

City Data doesn't allow specific consumer complaints or material which may be libelous.

Please keep these 2 constraints in mind when making posts on this thread.

Thanks.