Anyone familiar with Advantage Homes in St. John's County? (Crescent City: hardwood floors, sales)

[espo1]

We have been working with Advantage Homes (TC Construction) in St. John's county about building a home in Aberdeen. Has anyone ever worked/built with them? We would like to know what kind of reputation they have, etc.?

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by espo1

We have been working with Advantage Homes (TC Construction) in St. John's county about building a home in Aberdeen. Has anyone ever worked/built with them? We would like to know what kind of reputation they have, etc.?

Research your builers thoroughly everyone. One of my biggest accounts notified me on Wednesday afternoon that "one of their banks" is forcing them into Chapter 11. Turns out the truth was that 13 of their banks were petitioning them to file Chapter 11, which they are going to do by September 16th.

I did a little research for you on Advantage Homes. As for TC Construction: www.sunbiz.org - Department of State=

They've been around a few years apparently, but I do not understand their relationship with Advantage Homes, which I found here: www.sunbiz.org - Department of State=

I would ask for clarification as to whose license they are working under, what the relationship is between the two companies, and also check with their bank as to their liquidity position. Subs are getting burned left and right these days, and the increase of liens being places on homes is increasing substantially. Chances of you getting a home that you end up having to pay the subs on something because the primary contractor did not are high these days. Ask the contractor for copies of all lien waivers from the subcontractors and the material suppliers. They should have no problem doing this, it's a standard industry practice. If they cannot or will not do this...you need to be very concerned.

I'm not saying this is the case with Advantage Homes (or TC Construction), I do not know anything about this company. I've dealt with just about every builder in town in some form or fashion for the last 8 years, and this is a new name for me.

[espo1]

I asked the Real Estate agent that sells at the Advantage office - she said TC Construction is a partnership between 2 builders that worked for Watson Construction, which recently went bankrupt, so they formed their own company. All of their plans are from Watson. She said they recently sold 21 homes in WaterLeaf off Kernan in Jax

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by espo1

I asked the Real Estate agent that sells at the Advantage office - she said TC Construction is a partnership between 2 builders that worked for Watson Construction, which recently went bankrupt, so they formed their own company. All of their plans are from Watson. She said they recently sold 21 homes in WaterLeaf off Kernan in Jax

There's a lot of new builders being started by people who were laid off or otherwise lost their jobs because of all the downsizing. I've seen the Advantage signs, I work for KB in Waterleaf. Maybe you could put in a good word for me there and I could go work for them.

I think the market is ripe for these kinds of builders to crop up. The land is cheap, cost of building is cheap, and if they've got the capital, now is the perfect time to start up a new builder. Sell out in 5-6 years to a big national, it's how it's been done for years here. I wish them luck and I hope I can get in the door with them.

[Team2000]

1. Where is Advantage Construction building in St John's County? I'm asking as I am looking to build a home and I saw a model of theirs in Jax and I liked it.

2. Have you found any addition info or referrals on Advantage?

3. Advantage claims that they can build their house in 90 days. Anyone have any idea if this is accurate?

Thank you!!

[ShakenStirred]

Originally Posted by Team2000

1. Where is Advantage Construction building in St John's County? I'm asking as I am looking to build a home and I saw a model of theirs in Jax and I liked it.

2. Have you found any addition info or referrals on Advantage?

3. Advantage claims that they can build their house in 90 days. Anyone have any idea if this is accurate?

Thank you!!

I've called the number listed on the signs in Waterleaf and no one has returned my call for weeks now.

As for building a home in 90 days, it can be done easily. Before I entered into the residential construction industry, I was in commecial construction. We typically built restaurants (which have way more plumbing, hvac, electrical, equipment, furniture, etc.) in 90 days start to finish. At one time towards the end of my fathers tenure, we decided we were going to delve into a little residential just to see how it would go and we bought a bunch of lots (about a city blocks worth) down in Crescent City.

We built a single family home that was about 1400 sq. ft. in 2 weeks. It blew me away when I first got into residential how long it actually takes them to build these houses. I still don't quite get it, but I think it's partly attributable to a frame of mind. The jobs that I go out and do for builders, I'll do a 3 story townhome in a day, day and a half at the most. Every single other company in town that does the same thing I do would take at least 1-2 weeks.

I know inspections play a big part in the length of time it takes to finish these projects...and inspectors, as slow as things are these days, are getting way overboard in failing inspections. So yeah, 90 days with the right mindset is definitely feasible.

[stevep]

90 days to build a house... maybe if it's a small house without any high end finishes, plus all of the subs are working in the same neighborhood and can all start immediately when you call them, plus they can be there immediately to fix anything if an inspection fails. For larger homes with more details and finishes, it will take longer than 90 days.

[iwantanswers]

They are great builders if you clarify everything you want in the offer. Make sure to include every upgrade as a level 2 or 3. Also, check out their design center forst, not a big selection to choose from in the standard category. Ask lots of ??? from sales associates as to what is included before making an offer-Ex: 2 coach lights-The answer is only 1-you will have to draw up 2 in an offer. Tile backsplash-Not included. HArdwood floors-Not included, etc. AND THE LIGHTING PACKAGE IS AWFUL!!!! ASK FOR level 3 in your upgrade offer.

[iwantanswers]

Oh yeh, it took them over 90 days to build my home. But they are very precise with everything. I would rather it take 120 days and be done right.

[buying1sthome]

TEAM 2000: They are not offering 90 Days building anymore... we've been offered that (the guy even mentioned a 60 day option on a small house) and then they have changed their version to 120 days (I'll let you know how long will they take for real).