Centex Homes near Houston (San Antonio, Katy: new home, buying, construction)

[RickGuy]

I spoke with someone on this, or the San Antonio thread, a while a go regarding the impression of KB Homes. The person told me that they aren't seen as high quality in Texas. Anyone disagree?

With that said, how about Centex homes? My wife and I are thinking of moving our growing family to the Katy/western Houston area this summer and are looking at new homes. In that area, there are many starting from the low $100s and Centex reputation is pretty bulletproof here in Reno/Sparks, NV.

Any opinions or advice?

[usc619]

I think centex has a really good rep.(at least in CA) The homes in the Grand Harbor/Estates at Grand Harbor subdivison are built by a very good const. suprevisor(Jim), When people talk about the quality of builders they fail to understand the it's the guys who are swinging the hammer that counts. That being said, I would make sure your const. forman is a honest and reiable guy.

My wife and I had to pull out of two homes because we(not to mention our inspector failed them) didn't like the way things were getting done, one was with Lennar and the other was with DR Horton(that was the worst). I was told by my inspector the best way for us to get a good idea about how good of quality craftmanship your're getting is to tour the new const. area while they're framing/drywalling, look at the wood they're using, check out the wiring, studs, installation, foundation, ect.

I remember telling my inspector about some buliders I wanted to bulid with and some i wanted to advoid, he just laugh and said" You'll be suprise about how many times we find bad things in some of these soo-called high rep. buliders" It's all about the guy that's running the crews.

BTW:I would also like to mention that Centex customer service is Very good, We call for the most minor things and they are always right on top of it the next day(sometimes the same day lol)

[chris_ut]

Centex is one step above KB and I personally wouldn't consider buying from them.

[RickGuy]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Centex is one step above KB and I personally wouldn't consider buying from them.

Whom would you buy from then?

[Beto]

Originally Posted by RickGuy

I spoke with someone on this, or the San Antonio thread, a while a go regarding the impression of KB Homes. The person told me that they aren't seen as high quality in Texas. Anyone disagree?

With that said, how about Centex homes? My wife and I are thinking of moving our growing family to the Katy/western Houston area this summer and are looking at new homes. In that area, there are many starting from the low $100s and Centex reputation is pretty bulletproof here in Reno/Sparks, NV.

Any opinions or advice?

Centex is not a bad builder at all. If you are building your home, I would recommend you have a 3 stage inspection done. Are you looking to stay within a certain price point?

[chris_ut]

Originally Posted by RickGuy

Whom would you buy from then?

Builders I looked at buying from were Meritage, Lennar, Perry, David Powers and Trendmaker. Ended up buying from Meritage.

[albertsantillo]

You can google all prduction builders in you're area. They will grade and tell you who's who and how they rate. I have worked for builders in florida and can tell you first hand that builders like KB, Centex, Lennar are the worst. they don't build anything. They sub to the lowest vendor and you end up with crap. I can tell you horror stories with one of these builders but I had to sign sworn secret papers before I left. Do you're homework before you buy. Don't buy based on owners that no nothing about construction. Belive me, I have watch these homes being built from scratch. good luck to you.

[usc619]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

Builders I looked at buying from were Meritage, Lennar, Perry, David Powers and Trendmaker. Ended up buying from Meritage.

[QOUTE=albertsantillo]You can google all prduction builders in you're area. They will grade and tell you who's who and how they rate. I have worked for builders in florida and can tell you first hand that builders like KB, Centex, Lennar are the worst. they don't build anything. They sub to the lowest vendor and you end up with crap. I can tell you horror stories with one of these builders but I had to sign sworn secret papers before I left. Do you're homework before you buy. Don't buy based on owners that no nothing about construction. Belive me, I have watch these homes being built from scratch. good luck to you.[/QOUTE]

LMAO Give me a break, last i thought they all buy the same cement(ie;cemex), wood, bricks(acme), appliance(whirlpool or GE), windows,cheep wiring, tile, grantie, drywall. The ony difference is in the design, the craftmanship and location. Bigger co. can buy things at a cheeper rate because, well they buy more

[Beto]

Originally Posted by usc619

[QOUTE=albertsantillo]You can google all prduction builders in you're area. They will grade and tell you who's who and how they rate. I have worked for builders in florida and can tell you first hand that builders like KB, Centex, Lennar are the worst. they don't build anything. They sub to the lowest vendor and you end up with crap. I can tell you horror stories with one of these builders but I had to sign sworn secret papers before I left. Do you're homework before you buy. Don't buy based on owners that no nothing about construction. Belive me, I have watch these homes being built from scratch. good luck to you.[/QOUTE]

LMAO Give me a break, last i thought they all buy the same cement(ie;cemex), wood, bricks(acme), appliance(whirlpool or GE), windows,cheep wiring, tile, grantie, drywall. The ony difference is in the design, the craftmanship and location. Bigger co. can buy things at a cheeper rate because, well they buy more

Some builders buy better quality.