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We almost bought a John Weiland home last year when we moved here. They did not give us a list of prices but they did tell us the price of anything we asked. They had the prices right there. There were a couple of non standard things as far as your usual upgrades I asked about and they did not have an immediate price. But they called our realtor back within a day and gave her the price for those things as well. All this went on before we even made an offer. The bottom line was this. It was between there home and a custom home. We said to compare apples to apples we would need to get a price to bring their home up to the same level as the custom home (mouldings, french doors, wood floors, door hardware etc.) so we could compare the two. They were very accomodating. Surprisingly enough their prices were not bad at all.
Thats EXACTLY what you need to do, CAKD!
You need to understand with some home builders, you get all your upgrades "standard" and with others, EVERYTHING, including the window mullions are an "option".
The reality is that, just like CAKD said, you need to understand what you get and what you don't, compare those prices that are included and those that you pay extra to include and then you can make an educated decision.
I don't think that our sales agent was supposed to give me the upgrade price list but he did. It was a HUGE help. We were able to price out any and every option for our home. We also got a copy of the blueprints--another huge help. Our builder was Fortis, now KHovnanian.
I also went to the design center about 2 or 3 times before our appointment to pick everything out. That way it wasn't so overwhelming to pick it all out in 2 hours. With Fortis, everything was an upgrade but adding the stuff was still less than some other builders like Drees, where things like Corian were standard.
You're smart to ask for this stuff ahead of time. :-)
I can't believe people sign contracts without seeing the upgrade price list!? I've never heard of that until now.
As far as the question of any builders making this info readily available, I was told about 3 months ago that Westfield (Standard Pacific) was actually going to start making their upgrade pricing available on the web. I've still yet to see it however.
I don't think that our sales agent was supposed to give me the upgrade price list but he did. It was a HUGE help. We were able to price out any and every option for our home. We also got a copy of the blueprints--another huge help. Our builder was Fortis, now KHovnanian.
I also went to the design center about 2 or 3 times before our appointment to pick everything out. That way it wasn't so overwhelming to pick it all out in 2 hours. With Fortis, everything was an upgrade but adding the stuff was still less than some other builders like Drees, where things like Corian were standard.
You're smart to ask for this stuff ahead of time. :-)
I'm not sure that I'd compare a builder like Khov, Dr Horton, KB, etc. to builders like Drees, John Wieland, St Lawrence, etc. With the latter you are going to be getting more in the actual constructions standards. Things that the former builders may not even offer. And, I think that the latter of the builders at the very least would be willing to provide pricing if need be.
I'm not sure that I'd compare a builder like Khov, Dr Horton, KB, etc. to builders like Drees, John Wieland, St Lawrence, etc. With the latter you are going to be getting more in the actual constructions standards. Things that the former builders may not even offer. And, I think that the latter of the builders at the very least would be willing to provide pricing if need be.
It really depends on the neighborhood. I live in a Pulte house in Cary where there were tons of upgrades included. Our upgrades (including lot premium) were about 6 percent of the total cost. Who would think with Pulte.
My son in Raleigh is buying a house and had the upgrade lists from a number of builders along with the brochures. The wife and I found it very helpful in planning for our house in Raleigh. Our custom builder had tons of included but what we found great was that the price of additional items with our builder was approximately 50% less then the tract builders. The price sheets seemed to be available with little effort. I think the insisited on them other wise they wouldn't consider buying without knowing the bottom line price beforehand.
It really depends on the neighborhood. I live in a Pulte house in Cary where there were tons of upgrades included. Our upgrades (including lot premium) were about 6 percent of the total cost. Who would think with Pulte.
I'm speaking more about the kinds of materials being used to build the homes. Things like solid wood construction, home wraps, Tyvek, Energy Star, are the hardwoods engineered or real hardwoods, casings, etc.
My son in Raleigh is buying a house and had the upgrade lists from a number of builders along with the brochures. The wife and I found it very helpful in planning for our house in Raleigh. Our custom builder had tons of included but what we found great was that the price of additional items with our builder was approximately 50% less then the tract builders. The price sheets seemed to be available with little effort. I think the insisited on them other wise they wouldn't consider buying without knowing the bottom line price beforehand.
I have the pricing lists for Stowecroft, Springhill, Summerdale, Charleston Village, Carlton Park, Landings at the Neuse.....and about 3-4 more.....you say "I will make your job easy and price everything ourselves for a ballpark figure or you will never see me again." Actually my wife says that...I am too nice
I have the pricing lists for Stowecroft, Springhill, Summerdale, Charleston Village, Carlton Park, Landings at the Neuse.....and about 3-4 more.....you say "I will make your job easy and price everything ourselves for a ballpark figure or you will never see me again." Actually my wife says that...I am too nice
Between this forum, a savvy wife and a great buyers agent you are in great shape and able to be confident in such a major endeavor.
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