KB, Pulte, McMillin, Centex, SP, Lennar….best? worst? thoughts?

[Bunny Meadows]

I’m new to the world of builders and new home construction.

When I spoke to a friend up in Livermore (I think the Bay Area’s answer to Wildomar) about Pulte, she told me to find a website called, “Friends don’t let friends buy from Pulte.” She said they have a terrible reputation, don’t build quality product, etc.

I’ve heard the same thing about Centex, Lennar, SP, etc. Everyone seems to have a horror story. I have yet to hear someone say, “Our builder was just the greatest!”

Any personal stories out there about these guys? Anyone to avoid? Or are there builders who really do a great job?

Thanks,
Bunny

[barnaby33]

I think that what you will find is that for the most part all new houses have defects. Its not rocket science but still the earth shifts and people make mistakes.

That having been said, most of the construction done during the boom years was rushed. Quality control was lower and the skill of the people doing the construction was lower as well. Even builders for whom quality is their reputation, the pressure to build fast and profit during the boom was overwhelming. When you couple that with the scarcity of qualified workers, I think you’ll find that its better to buy houses build in between booms.

Josh

[barnaby33]

I think that what you will find is that for the most part all new houses have defects. Its not rocket science but still the earth shifts and people make mistakes.

That having been said, most of the construction done during the boom years was rushed. Quality control was lower and the skill of the people doing the construction was lower as well. Even builders for whom quality is their reputation, the pressure to build fast and profit during the boom was overwhelming. When you couple that with the scarcity of qualified workers, I think you’ll find that its better to buy houses build in between booms.

Josh

[barnaby33]

I think that what you will find is that for the most part all new houses have defects. Its not rocket science but still the earth shifts and people make mistakes.

That having been said, most of the construction done during the boom years was rushed. Quality control was lower and the skill of the people doing the construction was lower as well. Even builders for whom quality is their reputation, the pressure to build fast and profit during the boom was overwhelming. When you couple that with the scarcity of qualified workers, I think you’ll find that its better to buy houses build in between booms.

Josh

[barnaby33]

I think that what you will find is that for the most part all new houses have defects. Its not rocket science but still the earth shifts and people make mistakes.

That having been said, most of the construction done during the boom years was rushed. Quality control was lower and the skill of the people doing the construction was lower as well. Even builders for whom quality is their reputation, the pressure to build fast and profit during the boom was overwhelming. When you couple that with the scarcity of qualified workers, I think you’ll find that its better to buy houses build in between booms.

Josh

[barnaby33]

I think that what you will find is that for the most part all new houses have defects. Its not rocket science but still the earth shifts and people make mistakes.

That having been said, most of the construction done during the boom years was rushed. Quality control was lower and the skill of the people doing the construction was lower as well. Even builders for whom quality is their reputation, the pressure to build fast and profit during the boom was overwhelming. When you couple that with the scarcity of qualified workers, I think you’ll find that its better to buy houses build in between booms.

Josh

[mixxalot]

Older homes better construction

My sisters hubby works in the construction trades and was telling me that homes built in the 1970-1980’s are more solid than new homes built.

[mixxalot]

Older homes better construction

My sisters hubby works in the construction trades and was telling me that homes built in the 1970-1980’s are more solid than new homes built.

[mixxalot]

Older homes better construction

My sisters hubby works in the construction trades and was telling me that homes built in the 1970-1980’s are more solid than new homes built.

[mixxalot]

Older homes better construction

My sisters hubby works in the construction trades and was telling me that homes built in the 1970-1980’s are more solid than new homes built.

[mixxalot]

Older homes better construction

My sisters hubby works in the construction trades and was telling me that homes built in the 1970-1980’s are more solid than new homes built.

[temeculaguy]

I don’t doubt your friend had a bad experience but that is not the national reputation for that company. KB probably builds the lowest quality in this region, but they are the cheapest so you get what you pay for. I’d lump Centex, Standard Pacific, D.R. horton and ,most of the rest of the Nationals together, they have high end projects and low end projects. Around here, Pulte has only built the higher end stuff and from the few times I’ve looked at their models, it was very well built. They along with Lennar went with a no options policy (Pulte built half of Morgan Valley) where everything is included, granite, stainless, ceiling fans in every room (not just the outlet but the fan), higher end flooring, even the little things like christmas tree outlets on the second floor, phone and cable in every room, etc. It’s just a strategy but I like it. Mcmillan is not a national builder, sometimes the regional or local builders are better, sometimes they are not. It varies too much for any one builder to the BMW and another to be the Yugo of the industry. If I had to pick a BMW, funny thing is that I would have said Pulte, so that really will confuse you since your friend hates them. You really want a perfect house, find a local builder with a sterling reputation amongst other builders.

BTW, the top three builders in 2006 according to J.D.Power consumer satisfaction polls, covering 12 large metro areas was 1. Del Webb (owned by Pulte) 2. Pulte and 3. Shea Triliogy

[temeculaguy]

I don’t doubt your friend had a bad experience but that is not the national reputation for that company. KB probably builds the lowest quality in this region, but they are the cheapest so you get what you pay for. I’d lump Centex, Standard Pacific, D.R. horton and ,most of the rest of the Nationals together, they have high end projects and low end projects. Around here, Pulte has only built the higher end stuff and from the few times I’ve looked at their models, it was very well built. They along with Lennar went with a no options policy (Pulte built half of Morgan Valley) where everything is included, granite, stainless, ceiling fans in every room (not just the outlet but the fan), higher end flooring, even the little things like christmas tree outlets on the second floor, phone and cable in every room, etc. It’s just a strategy but I like it. Mcmillan is not a national builder, sometimes the regional or local builders are better, sometimes they are not. It varies too much for any one builder to the BMW and another to be the Yugo of the industry. If I had to pick a BMW, funny thing is that I would have said Pulte, so that really will confuse you since your friend hates them. You really want a perfect house, find a local builder with a sterling reputation amongst other builders.

BTW, the top three builders in 2006 according to J.D.Power consumer satisfaction polls, covering 12 large metro areas was 1. Del Webb (owned by Pulte) 2. Pulte and 3. Shea Triliogy

[temeculaguy]

I don’t doubt your friend had a bad experience but that is not the national reputation for that company. KB probably builds the lowest quality in this region, but they are the cheapest so you get what you pay for. I’d lump Centex, Standard Pacific, D.R. horton and ,most of the rest of the Nationals together, they have high end projects and low end projects. Around here, Pulte has only built the higher end stuff and from the few times I’ve looked at their models, it was very well built. They along with Lennar went with a no options policy (Pulte built half of Morgan Valley) where everything is included, granite, stainless, ceiling fans in every room (not just the outlet but the fan), higher end flooring, even the little things like christmas tree outlets on the second floor, phone and cable in every room, etc. It’s just a strategy but I like it. Mcmillan is not a national builder, sometimes the regional or local builders are better, sometimes they are not. It varies too much for any one builder to the BMW and another to be the Yugo of the industry. If I had to pick a BMW, funny thing is that I would have said Pulte, so that really will confuse you since your friend hates them. You really want a perfect house, find a local builder with a sterling reputation amongst other builders.

BTW, the top three builders in 2006 according to J.D.Power consumer satisfaction polls, covering 12 large metro areas was 1. Del Webb (owned by Pulte) 2. Pulte and 3. Shea Triliogy

[temeculaguy]

I don’t doubt your friend had a bad experience but that is not the national reputation for that company. KB probably builds the lowest quality in this region, but they are the cheapest so you get what you pay for. I’d lump Centex, Standard Pacific, D.R. horton and ,most of the rest of the Nationals together, they have high end projects and low end projects. Around here, Pulte has only built the higher end stuff and from the few times I’ve looked at their models, it was very well built. They along with Lennar went with a no options policy (Pulte built half of Morgan Valley) where everything is included, granite, stainless, ceiling fans in every room (not just the outlet but the fan), higher end flooring, even the little things like christmas tree outlets on the second floor, phone and cable in every room, etc. It’s just a strategy but I like it. Mcmillan is not a national builder, sometimes the regional or local builders are better, sometimes they are not. It varies too much for any one builder to the BMW and another to be the Yugo of the industry. If I had to pick a BMW, funny thing is that I would have said Pulte, so that really will confuse you since your friend hates them. You really want a perfect house, find a local builder with a sterling reputation amongst other builders.

BTW, the top three builders in 2006 according to J.D.Power consumer satisfaction polls, covering 12 large metro areas was 1. Del Webb (owned by Pulte) 2. Pulte and 3. Shea Triliogy

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