Nocatee - Del Webb Construction Quality (Jacksonville, Miami: 2013, attorneys, new home)

[gloriav50]

Hi, I've read through many of the posts regarding Nocatee. Would love to get feedback from those that have built in Del Webb - Riverwood - 55+. We don't have any experience in evaluating construction. We have lived in our current home for 30 years and didn't build it. Del Webb/Pulte is the only builder in this neighborhood. Would be willing to hire someone/firm but not sure what to ask for. I also don't think it's a good idea to solely rely on the county's building inspectors nor to just build to the standard codes. Thanks in advance.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by gloriav50

Hi, I've read through many of the posts regarding Nocatee. Would love to get feedback from those that have built in Del Webb - Riverwood - 55+. We don't have any experience in evaluating construction. We have lived in our current home for 30 years and didn't build it. Del Webb/Pulte is the only builder in this neighborhood. Would be willing to hire someone/firm but not sure what to ask for. I also don't think it's a good idea to solely rely on the county's building inspectors nor to just build to the standard codes. Thanks in advance.

What you have to keep in mind is that the building codes in Florida are far more stringent than most of the rest of the US. For the past several years, everything east of I-95 has been built to the even stricter Miami-Dade High Velocity Wind Zone requirements. These houses all have hurricane clips on every truss, threaded steel rods anchoring the roof down to the slab, etc.

Although they recently relaxed the area that the HVWZ covers, most of these houses also have either hurricane shutters or impact resistant windows and all sorts of nifty little things to make sure those suckers don't blow away.

That being said, hiring a private building inspector isn't a bad idea.....especially since the downturn in construction led to a lot of the national builders hiring "Superintendents" with relatively little building experience who are very green with the process. For example, my parents had a home built and the Superintendent for the builder (Centex Homes, which has since left the Jacksonville market), was formerly a painter before they hired him. Nothing against painters mind you, but they don't usually have a whole lot of actual construction experience. They are usually the last people on the job and don't even really observe most of the construction process. Nevertheless, if my father hadn't been in construction all his life, a lot of things would have been overlooked, and a lot of things would have been done wrong.

I am currently having my house built at the beach by David Weekley Homes, who is a far superior builder to any of the National builders in the area, but even then I go by the house every day and make a punch list for them on a weekly (no pun intended) basis. So that being said, you should check with the Northeast Florida Builders Association and look up private home inspectors. The address is www.nefba.com

Good Luck!

SS

[gloriav50]

SS: I appreciate the info you provided. In looking at the NEFBA web site under home inspections, I did find 4 listings.

Regarding Del Webb in Nocatee (Riverwood), would you have any insight as to why Pulte changed from doing block construction to frame and eliminating the 'safe room' from their standard offering. Without having too much insight, I guess frame is less expensive and provide more design offerings. Although their block homes, IMHO, from the outside look rather attractive. Thanks

[ssclulow]

A wood frame construction home is less expensive to build than a block construction home. Many people moving to FL from other areas of the U.S. do not know the benefits of block construction and are only shopping with price per square foot in mind.

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by gloriav50

SS: I appreciate the info you provided. In looking at the NEFBA web site under home inspections, I did find 4 listings.

Regarding Del Webb in Nocatee (Riverwood), would you have any insight as to why Pulte changed from doing block construction to frame and eliminating the 'safe room' from their standard offering. Without having too much insight, I guess frame is less expensive and provide more design offerings. Although their block homes, IMHO, from the outside look rather attractive. Thanks

Yes, Pulte has switched back and forth over the years constantly between wood and block construction based on the price of concrete which fluctuates a lot more than wood.

I had heard rumors about the builders not having to install storm rooms anymore, but I didn't realize that had actually happened. In the beginning of time (ok, maybe not time, but just Nocatee), the developer agreed to require all builders to install a hurricane room because the highway infrastructure would not support evacuation in the event of a hurricane.

The big joke was on the homeowners though, who footed the extra cost of these, because in the event of a hurricane, your storm room is going to be filled with water. They can't be airtight or you would run out of oxygen. Not only that, if the evacuation is mandatory, what good is the storm room going to do you, other than protect a few valuables?

I installed the first 100 or so of the DuPont StormRooms in Nocatee, and anytime somebody would ask me "are they waterproof" I would tell them no, but we provide a free snorkel with every install.

With the road infrastructure much improved now, I guess from what you're saying, they must have recently stopped requiring the builders to install a storm room now. I'm guessing they didn't lower the price of the homes any to offset this though, so if you build a home that doesn't require one, I would fight for a lower price by about $5000 or at least some upgrades or something.

Someone is gonna hate me for giving out this info I'm sure, so don't tell them where you heard it!

SS

[dragon137]

I moved to Del Webb recently and had two attorneys assist in the closing of a home in Del Webb. I found out that there are many suits against Pulte from faulty construction and the dwelling I am in has 58 pages of structural defects. The seller, realtors, management company and home owners association did not disclose this at any time. I have had to hire legal specialists to sue since the home is not only worth nothing but is a health hazard. I have found out that this conduct despite the fact that it is civil and criminal conduct is common here and sellers just want to recover their money at all costs and will do whatever it takes. I am out around 250K. Not only that but now the neighbors have shunned me for the suit because they can't do the same thing to some other unsuspecting buyer. In my opinion the greater majority of people in Nocatee and Del Webb are devoid of any ethics or morals. This applies most specifically to Del Webb staff who rule all aspects of residents lives with their community "rules" and control residents lives 24 hours a day. You will be treated like a child by Del Webb staff and chastised for no reason. The so-called Del webb managers have full power over your life and will use that power at any time. It's like going back to High School and having cliques who shun you. Never move to Del Webb or Nocatee if you are single you will be excluded from everything. Only couples are tolerated here. Never move to Del Webb if you think for yourself. Only "Stepford" wives are tolerated here. I found that this is one of the worst communities in the United States but they really know how to cover up these issues on the initial "sales" tour. I would never move to a Del Webb community again once I get out of here. BEWARE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED FROM SOMEONE NOW LIVING IN HELL.

[glengreco]

Hi

what is the suit with Pulte, we are looking at Del Webb and do not know what this is? also how do they control everything? are there not clubs, things to do in this community?

[SaintCabbage]

Originally Posted by dragon137

I moved to Del Webb recently and had two attorneys assist in the closing of a home in Del Webb. I found out that there are many suits against Pulte from faulty construction and the dwelling I am in has 58 pages of structural defects. The seller, realtors, management company and home owners association did not disclose this at any time. I have had to hire legal specialists to sue since the home is not only worth nothing but is a health hazard. I have found out that this conduct despite the fact that it is civil and criminal conduct is common here and sellers just want to recover their money at all costs and will do whatever it takes. I am out around 250K. Not only that but now the neighbors have shunned me for the suit because they can't do the same thing to some other unsuspecting buyer. In my opinion the greater majority of people in Nocatee and Del Webb are devoid of any ethics or morals. This applies most specifically to Del Webb staff who rule all aspects of residents lives with their community "rules" and control residents lives 24 hours a day. You will be treated like a child by Del Webb staff and chastised for no reason. The so-called Del webb managers have full power over your life and will use that power at any time. It's like going back to High School and having cliques who shun you. Never move to Del Webb or Nocatee if you are single you will be excluded from everything. Only couples are tolerated here. Never move to Del Webb if you think for yourself. Only "Stepford" wives are tolerated here. I found that this is one of the worst communities in the United States but they really know how to cover up these issues on the initial "sales" tour. I would never move to a Del Webb community again once I get out of here. BEWARE, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED FROM SOMEONE NOW LIVING IN HELL.

If it's on the Internet, it HAS to be true!

[dizliz0925]

Originally Posted by SaintCabbage

If it's on the Internet, it HAS to be true!

"Don't believe everything you read on the internet" - Abraham Lincoln

[ChristineNic]

We purchased a home built by Drees homes. The home was completed in October 2013 (for a home show to showcase their newest floor plans); we closed in December 2013. After having almost a year of living in the house, we are very pleased. We have had a few minor issues, which were taken care of by Drees quickly.

Minor issues:

1. The electrician installed an oven socket instead of a dryer socket in the laundry room (Who knew they were different receptacles?);
2. The palm trees that were included in the landscaping died or are looking pretty sick -- they are being replaced with a different, more cold hardy palm;
3. Some of the trim on the kitchen cabinets wasn't secured properly and one cabinet door either had a crack or a streak from wood glue. The door was replaced and the trim was fixed, and;
4. There are some settlement cracks in the driveway, tile grouting and outside stucco. At our 12 month walk through, they will repair, regrout, or otherwise take care of settlement issues.

If I ever buy another new home, it will be built by Drees.