Weiss Homes (home builder, buyers, construction)

[West coast at heart]

Originally Posted by domergurl

When we thought we were moving to Granger, our realtor wouldn't show us Weis homes.

Did they say why? I have been out of the loop for so long, I am not aware of the issues that might be out there.

wc@h

[domergurl]

Originally Posted by West coast at heart

Did they say why? I have been out of the loop for so long, I am not aware of the issues that might be out there.

wc@h

She said that their homes "have issues" with how well they are built and resale. This was in 2003, so maybe they are better now.

[sweettreatman]

DO NOT buy a weiss home. We made the mistake two years ago and have had issues ever since. We bought the 'model' home and aside from a couple upgraded products the house is a piece of crap. The only reason they give you a waranty is because you WILL need it. I used to live in a 100 year old house and it had far less problems than the weiss home I bought.

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by sweettreatman

DO NOT buy a weiss home. We made the mistake two years ago and have had issues ever since. We bought the 'model' home and aside from a couple upgraded products the house is a piece of crap. The only reason they give you a waranty is because you WILL need it. I used to live in a 100 year old house and it had far less problems than the weiss home I bought.

Ouch. Im sorry your having issues. Im sure when you bought the house the perk was that it was new. Houses built in the past usually had better craftsmanship. When we went thru one of the new models I noticed the carpet in the family room had a huge seam. It wasnt a tight seam either. I said something to the sales person. He seemed a bit embarrassed and said well my new home would be done a lot better. I thought to myself, if they cant get the model home perfect then there is a slim chance my home would be perfect. I have seen posts where people are very pleased with their new Weiss home. Maybe its a hit or miss. I personally dont think we will go the new built route anyway. But thanks for your post!

[West coast at heart]

Originally Posted by fallingwater

Ouch. Im sorry your having issues. Im sure when you bought the house the perk was that it was new. Houses built in the past usually had better craftsmanship. When we went thru one of the new models I noticed the carpet in the family room had a huge seam. It wasnt a tight seam either. I said something to the sales person. He seemed a bit embarrassed and said well my new home would be done a lot better. I thought to myself, if they cant get the model home perfect then there is a slim chance my home would be perfect. I have seen posts where people are very pleased with their new Weiss home. Maybe its a hit or miss. I personally dont think we will go the new built route anyway. But thanks for your post!

You know fallingwater, you are so right. I think it is hit or miss. I think this is do in part to the fact that a lot of subcontractors that work on homes have several employees working for them. Some are very good and conscientous, and others are only putting their time in and don't give a darn about the quality of work they are giving the company. I know I had a heck of a time keeping up with some of the workers. Weiss builds homes in every county from Lake Cty in IN to counties up past Kalamazoo in MI. It is impossible to keep up with all of the workmanship. You also have the various trades facing the same issues. I would imagine that Weiss themselves has employees like that as well. I do not know that for fact, but it stands to reason that they would be in the same boat as everybody else in the quality control department. Another issue is how fast these homes are completed. It is not uncommon for a house to be sheetrocked the same day that it is being insulated. How do you check jobs like that? There are so many chances for mistakes to get covered up with how fast homes are completed. I think it is a factor of wanting to get as many houses sold as fast as possible to increase profits. The company that is able to complete more houses can hire more employees, increase profit, look like the best, attract more customers, .... Economies of scale. It seems that a lot of the really good builders have had to close up shop. They are unable to compete with the Track housing builders. One builder comes to mind, PHI. The owner of the company was also one of the carpernters. His houses were top quality. Of course with top quality comes high building costs. He could not afford to keep building homes. The track house builders could sell homes cheaper, and in some ways they are cheaper in quality as well. Cheaper in price does not always mean cheaper in quality, but it is a serious potential outcome. If you are going to have a house built, don't use cheaper price as your only criteria. My father was a carpenter all the way up to his retirement. He worked for a high end homebuilder. He put the concept of quality in my mind and it has always shaped my work effort. "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right!" I firmly believe that.
Well enough of the soapbox posting. Have a great day everyone.

wc@h

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by West coast at heart

You know fallingwater, you are so right. I think it is hit or miss. I think this is do in part to the fact that a lot of subcontractors that work on homes have several employees working for them. Some are very good and conscientous, and others are only putting their time in and don't give a darn about the quality of work they are giving the company. I know I had a heck of a time keeping up with some of the workers. Weiss builds homes in every county from Lake Cty in IN to counties up past Kalamazoo in MI. It is impossible to keep up with all of the workmanship. You also have the various trades facing the same issues. I would imagine that Weiss themselves has employees like that as well. I do not know that for fact, but it stands to reason that they would be in the same boat as everybody else in the quality control department. Another issue is how fast these homes are completed. It is not uncommon for a house to be sheetrocked the same day that it is being insulated. How do you check jobs like that? There are so many chances for mistakes to get covered up with how fast homes are completed. I think it is a factor of wanting to get as many houses sold as fast as possible to increase profits. The company that is able to complete more houses can hire more employees, increase profit, look like the best, attract more customers, .... Economies of scale. It seems that a lot of the really good builders have had to close up shop. They are unable to compete with the Track housing builders. One builder comes to mind, PHI. The owner of the company was also one of the carpernters. His houses were top quality. Of course with top quality comes high building costs. He could not afford to keep building homes. The track house builders could sell homes cheaper, and in some ways they are cheaper in quality as well. Cheaper in price does not always mean cheaper in quality, but it is a serious potential outcome. If you are going to have a house built, don't use cheaper price as your only criteria. My father was a carpenter all the way up to his retirement. He worked for a high end homebuilder. He put the concept of quality in my mind and it has always shaped my work effort. "If it is worth doing, it is worth doing right!" I firmly believe that.
Well enough of the soapbox posting. Have a great day everyone.

wc@h

Westcoast, I couldnt agree more. Being a good carpenter or any sort of builder is an art. I think people feel because someone works with their hands, anyone can do it. My husband and I have completely gutted homes and restored them. I think that is why we have problems looking at newer construction in our price range. Hubby says "wow, look at the siding, its all wrong!...or "Look at how the sheetrock was installed, thats all wrong!" lol. I think the big issues start appearing after the home has settled. We looked at repo house that was only 5 yrs old. The cement in the garage was completely sunk down compared to the rest of the house. A nice 10 inch gap between the floor and the garage door. It being an attached garage, we could see a whole mess of problems in the yrs to come. Our last house was a 1920's colonial with tons of character and charm. Crown molding in every room, real hardwood floors..so its a little tough looking at the track houses with popcorn ceilings. Oh and I hate the whole catherdal ceiling thing. Maybe if I didnt have to pay a gas bill.

[Debrao]

I am building with Weiss homes and my home is about half complete, let me tell you it was the worst experience we have ever had. The home has so many problems and the staff are not helpful at all they just want to cover things up and move on to the next home. DO NOT BUILD A HOME WITH WEISS YOU WILL REGRET IT !

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by Debrao

I am building with Weiss homes and my home is about half complete, let me tell you it was the worst experience we have ever had. The home has so many problems and the staff are not helpful at all they just want to cover things up and move on to the next home. DO NOT BUILD A HOME WITH WEISS YOU WILL REGRET IT !

Im so sorry your having issues. We ended up backing out of a house deal in a Weiss neighborhood. Its located in Osceola. They are neglecting to tell people the sub is adjacent to a superfund site. Buyer Beware!

[Debrao]

Weiss needs to be put in place I just am not sure I can afford all the attorney fees to do it. They are building on my land and treat me as they are doing me a favor by allowing me to inspect the work as it is in progress. The construction manager tells you what he feels you want to hear to close the issue. I am going to call in a state inspector to inspect the work that has been done, I hope this will stop the shotty work that is being done.

[fallingwater]

Originally Posted by Debrao

Weiss needs to be put in place I just am not sure I can afford all the attorney fees to do it. They are building on my land and treat me as they are doing me a favor by allowing me to inspect the work as it is in progress. The construction manager tells you what he feels you want to hear to close the issue. I am going to call in a state inspector to inspect the work that has been done, I hope this will stop the shotty work that is being done.

I would hire an inspector. All you need is the work to be done and not pass county/state standards.