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Wow...see that Mike? I keep saying it and saying it and look what happened: TurborgP got it! I think Coltank had it! Danadana gets it! And...KodakMoment got it!!!
Y'all make me proud!!! Can I give points for this?!!
Back to the original topic... My husband and I explored a number of new home communities this past weekend. We were given options price lists at 3 of them (K Hov in Kensington Manor, Centex at Highland Creek and I forget which other one. Those price lists were extremely helpful, especially with Centex where even the door knobs have a list of upgraded styles!
My opinion is the reason KB doesn't like to give the option list out is that they have the LARGEST list of options!
Take the base price of the KB Home you like. Add 10% to 20% and thats what your home will most likely cost by the time you are done adding the options.
I had two clients build the same house in Windcrest (KB in Holly Springs). Both base prices were the same...around $165,000. Client #1 spent $290,000 and client #2 spent $310,000.
Don't forget that KB's best salespeople work at the selection centers, too. Their business model is very strong in that department-get the customer to see all of the beautiful upgrades they can have for only a few dollars per month...
Don't forget that KB's best salespeople work at the selection centers, too. Their business model is very strong in that department-get the customer to see all of the beautiful upgrades they can have for only a few dollars per month...
Its a KNOWN FACT that when you go to the design center, the prices are 2 to 3 times what the retail prices are. So the design center folks are there to sell you alot of options.
I asked once how KB could justify charging $600 for a garage door opener when you could buy one from Lowes for about $100 and another $100 for installation.
The response was that some people PREFER the convenience of having the garage door there when they move in and the convenience of paying for it over 30 years!
Don't forget that KB's best salespeople work at the selection centers, too. Their business model is very strong in that department-get the customer to see all of the beautiful upgrades they can have for only a few dollars per month...
For whatever it's worth, I was told by my KB Salesperson at the design studio that she was not paid on commission, and if she was lying or not - to her credit she did not try to push me into any upgrades that I didn't want, and in fact several times worked with me to find less expensive alternatives for some items.
I don't mind commissioned sales staff for a lot of things; I think it provides incentive to be good at what you do, but I wanted to be aware of it were that the situation.
And KB's price list is really huge. They may hesitate to give it to just anyone not only because it's going to fluxuate, but it's also 45 pages long. My office sales agent was upfront whenever we had an upgrade price question with providing ballpark figures that were quite accurate before we signed anything.
Its a KNOWN FACT that when you go to the design center, the prices are 2 to 3 times what the retail prices are. So the design center folks are there to sell you alot of options.
I asked once how KB could justify charging $600 for a garage door opener when you could buy one from Lowes for about $100 and another $100 for installation.
The response was that some people PREFER the convenience of having the garage door there when they move in and the convenience of paying for it over 30 years!
Vicki
When I went through KB's design studio, I was very well versed on what local home improvement and appliance stores were charging. I disagree with the 2 to 3 times figure. I don't disagree that there's a premium, but it's not completely out of line.
The $600 garage door opener is for a top of the line belt drive unit. I went with a chain drive, which was about $240. The same one is on sale at Sears for $180. The last time I had one installed it set me back $75, so that's right in line. True you can get the belt drive one for well under $600 - I'm guessing that's there for folks who really aren't too smart - I can't blame them too much for parting fools with their money in some cases.
KB's prices for flooring are pretty inflated though; probably because they know they've gotcha pretty good there - a lot easier to install when you don't have to move any furniture. Tile prices were equally bad for bathrooms and such.
With EVERY SINGLE Design Studio option I asked myself if it was worth paying for 30 years. That made it a lot easier, and I reccomend that approach to everyone.
Do you know what is the prices in a new home to upgrade the bathdroom separate the shower? also I need to know cost of different color of cabinets?
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