Highland Homes vs. David Weekly Homes (San Antonio, Grapevine: lease, how much, houses)

[movintosa]

Hello all,
I am relocating to SA and have narrowed my home search to two builders - Highland Homes and David Weekly Homes in Alamo Ranch. Until visiting San Antonio I had not heard of either builder. I am looking for honest feedback (both good and bad) about both builders.

As well what do the locals think about Alamo Ranch and it's location?

Thank you for your help!

[NurseDana]

Love, love, love Alamo Ranch! Moved here in June and we just love it! We looked at Weekly, but not Highland. Ultimately decided on Pulte. I drove thru Weekly a couple of weeks ago; they have nice plans! Wishing you the best with your move!

[movintosa]

Thank you NurseDana....so where did you relocate from? I also looked at Pulte Homes and did like the Woodbury Series as well as the community center looks great! So if I may ask why did you choose Putle over David Weekly?

[kevcrawford]

Both are pretty good builders. I've put clients into both and have yet to hear a complaint.

Alamo Ranch is still a new neighborhood and it's going to be very big, but it looks like they're developing it nicely. The most important question is where are you going to be working or what do you need to be near? Alamo Ranch is on the west side of town. If you're working on the north side or somewhere else, traffic could get you.

[banker]

I would recommend North Central. Check out Saddle Mountain in Stone Oak off of Evans. Not a big fan of Pulte Homes or David Weekly. Have had several friends that had problems with David Weekly homes.

[loves2read]

tract builders even if they do sometimes allow buiyers to "customize" homes--the construction quality really depends on who the superintendent is for each development...they get their bonuses on how quickly they get houses up/how few overruns in costs they have on construction and how much profit they can add above their set margins...
David Weekley in Grapevine (neas DFW area) got lots of bad marks for how it violated the city's tree conservation policy and how its workers damaged trees on lots that were higher priced because of tree coverage--one couple took Weekley to court to get judgement because of the number of trees that were killed during construction...

Huntington Homes in DFW area build a very attractive home...my realtor knows the brother and sister that own the company and she thinks they do a good product...but she has also told me a couple of stories about homes that company built in DFW area that developed foundation problems because of faulty construction---

You might have more oversight if you contract from ground up but think you would probably get better price on home that is completed and sitting there...don't buy without have a real engineer do home inspection (it will cost more than just liscensed home inspector) but think you get your money's worth if there are faulty foundation/wiring/plumbing problems and they are discovered before you buy...
once you have bought a home--you have very little room to get the company to fix what is wrong--there are plenty of negative posts about both those companies out on the internet--but you can see that it is spotty -- not every development they build is bad...that is why I say much depends on the supervisors and the crews working there--they hire subcontractors for the subdivisions and don't necessarily trail them around from town to town or even north side to south side...
And there can be a lot of turnover in those jobs so that right there is lack of continuity and oversight...

[NurseDana]

Hi movintosa! We moved here from East Texas, Nacogdoches. We are in Woodbury Grant. Pulte has been good for us. The houseplan we chose fits our needs. We considered total custom building but it just wasn't working for us. I was too far away to make the decisions! We were here at lease monthly, usually more to watch the house being built. I also hired an independent inspector. I did get to choose granite, tile, carpet, cabinets on the interior. Paint was 'vanilla' and I am now having custom painting and faux-painting done to suit us. We also chose the brick, rock, exterior apint and shingles. For us it has just worked! And you're right--the amenities center is awesome! I hope your move goes well; welcome!

[banker]

I checked all the major builders in San Antonio - and Pulte doesn't offer very many nice areas in North Central. David Weekly - I would be cautious with them. Check more than the builder - check each subdivision to get a feel for what the end product will look like. Go walk through homes being framed up and then finished out. It is a good idea as many people say on many different threads to have a personal inspector - I plan on doing that.