Contract problem with the builder (Houston: how much, buying a house, neighborhood)

[smuggy_mba]

Hello All,

We're 1.5 months into building our home with a supposedly reputed builder as they claim themselves to be. Every now and them, they keep asking for 200-1000 dollars -

oh you asked for cat6a (written in the contract) wiring but it's going to cost $1000 more because we thought it's cat6e, please come and sign the updated contract.

we offer surround sound pre-wire (clearly mentioned in the contract) but we but don't wire the center speaker..that would be $200 extra - please come and sign the updated contract.

Don't even ask me how much adding an electrical outlet is..uffff.

Are these things a sign of what's coming next..oh you have to pay extra for the doors and windows. Is it common for the builders to cheap out on such stuff while building a 400K house? Should I cut my losses and cancel the contract and lose 15K OR should I have the builder give me my money back for not following the contract. Options/Ideas/Comments. This house building is turning out to be more stressful than I had thought.

Thanks.

[Houston321]

Originally Posted by smuggy_mba

Hello All,

We're 1.5 months into building our home with a supposedly reputed builder as they claim themselves to be. Every now and them, they keep asking for 200-1000 dollars -

oh you asked for cat6a (written in the contract) wiring but it's going to cost $1000 more because we thought it's cat6e, please come and sign the updated contract.

we offer surround sound pre-wire (clearly mentioned in the contract) but we but don't wire the center speaker..that would be $200 extra - please come and sign the updated contract.

Are these things a sign of what's coming next..oh you have to pay extra for the doors and windows. Is it common for the builders to cheap out on such stuff while building a 400K house?


Thanks.

That's pretty petty..the builder should include those things since they are in the contract. I think I know the builder you are working with. What I can't stand about them, is that you can't talk directly to the superintendant who is building your home, you have to go through sales. For the super it is very easy to say NO to the salesperson, it's a different story to say NO to a customer.

[smuggy_mba]

Originally Posted by Houston321

That's pretty petty..the builder should include those things since they are in the contract. I think I know the builder you are working with. What I can't stand about them, is that you can't talk directly to the superintendant who is building your home, you have to go through sales. For the super it is very easy to say NO to the salesperson, it's a different story to say NO to a customer.

Such cheap tactics spoil the whole fun of buying a house. Last week, the dairy queen owner offered me free ice cream worth 20 bucks just because I'm their regular customer. I have not even spent 1000 on dairy queen in my entire life and this builder is cheap'ing out for 100 bucks on a 400K house. Even the car dealership throws in free floor mats and these ppl don't own their mistake and try to make it right.

[Beto]

Is the builder part of the MHI family? This should have been disclosed at time of contract, so that no surprises came up during construction. When my client purchased with Plantation they tried to pull this one several times and I always ask them to refer back to the contract in the special provisions section.

[smuggy_mba]

Originally Posted by Beto

Is the builder part of the MHI family? This should have been disclosed at time of contract, so that no surprises came up during construction. When my client purchased with Plantation they tried to pull this one several times and I always ask them to refer back to the contract in the special provisions section.

Yes & Thx Beto.

What did the special provisions refer to? It's wrtitten clearly in the contract - 5.1 pre wire: L/R, center, Rear L/R, sub.

They're saying, It's not a practive to wire the center and that I have to pay extra for it; If I don't pay, I won't get it, plain and simple.

[sahJD]

What is written and signed is usually the best proof needed! If you fight it and they comply, they may look to other areas to recover their costs. I hate to say this, but you should double check everything they do.

[Houston321]

Ask to speak to the project manager.

[trbstang]

Charging extra to make a change you decided on after the initial contract, I can see. We had several of those charges. But charging extra to give you something that is already IN the contract, no way.

We had a "misunderstand" or two when we built our house. I just had to point out in the original paperwork what we wanted and what they agreed to. Not my fault they did not understand what they AGREED TO IN WRITING! The builder took care of it and still made a heck of a profit.

Good luck on it, and I was at the house practically every day, talking to the superintendant. That was the only way I caught several building errors and such. Luckily I only lived a few blocks away in the next neighborhood.

Good luck on it!

[chris_ut]

Solution to this is always take out the contract, point to where it says you get that and refuse to make additional payment.

[smuggy_mba]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Solution to this is always take out the contract, point to where it says you get that and refuse to make additional payment.

Which is what I did but they said they won't do it if not paid for.