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

[mydogsarelazy]

We have a KB home in Murrieta, purchased in 2003, escrow closed in 2004.

Here are some pluses and minuses:

On the negative side…

– Sales staff mis-informed us on some details, and pushed the use of KB Home Mortgage company which we avoided.

– You have to purchase a number of upgrades to get a decent house. For example, their standard carpeting is a nightmare.

On the plus side…

– We love the house. Great design, excellent low energy consumption as we paid for vinyl double-paned window and extra roof insulation. I would buy it again.

– KB has been fantastic in terms of responding to minor fixes needed during early warranty period. All issues were taken care of promptly, including one item we reported after our initial one year period on some items had expired. The company is very anxious to clean up their image, which they know has been soiled, particularly by problems and lawsuits in Texas.

– The house closed on time, and all upgrades and mods were exactly as we wanted.

– We had it privately inspected after escrow close and it came through very nicely, with only one small wiring issue needing attention.

JS

[Tuba]

I used to work for KB Home prior to my current career. It is true that KB Home does push the 90 day schedule, and pressure the homeowners to close within KB’s time frame (qtr numbers).But, the homes are built with quality up until you reach the finish stage. This is where the homeowners come into play with the homeowner walk prior to Close of Escrow. You go through every inch of the house room by room and you have the customer service rep document everything you see. This is extremely important, because KB’s and most other large builders have a policy to not close a home without that walk list being 100% complete and signed off by the homeowner. With that being said, just as the previous KB Homeowner stated, they will take care of you during the standard 1 year stucco to stucco warranty. Also, another note, where KB really makes their money is in the studio options you choose, where the other builders might give as standard.

Good luck, and thank god for SB800

Tuba

[Tuba]

I used to work for KB Home prior to my current career. It is true that KB Home does push the 90 day schedule, and pressure the homeowners to close within KB’s time frame (qtr numbers).But, the homes are built with quality up until you reach the finish stage. This is where the homeowners come into play with the homeowner walk prior to Close of Escrow. You go through every inch of the house room by room and you have the customer service rep document everything you see. This is extremely important, because KB’s and most other large builders have a policy to not close a home without that walk list being 100% complete and signed off by the homeowner. With that being said, just as the previous KB Homeowner stated, they will take care of you during the standard 1 year stucco to stucco warranty. Also, another note, where KB really makes their money is in the studio options you choose, where the other builders might give as standard.

Good luck, and thank god for SB800

Tuba

[Tuba]

I used to work for KB Home prior to my current career. It is true that KB Home does push the 90 day schedule, and pressure the homeowners to close within KB’s time frame (qtr numbers).But, the homes are built with quality up until you reach the finish stage. This is where the homeowners come into play with the homeowner walk prior to Close of Escrow. You go through every inch of the house room by room and you have the customer service rep document everything you see. This is extremely important, because KB’s and most other large builders have a policy to not close a home without that walk list being 100% complete and signed off by the homeowner. With that being said, just as the previous KB Homeowner stated, they will take care of you during the standard 1 year stucco to stucco warranty. Also, another note, where KB really makes their money is in the studio options you choose, where the other builders might give as standard.

Good luck, and thank god for SB800

Tuba

[Tuba]

I used to work for KB Home prior to my current career. It is true that KB Home does push the 90 day schedule, and pressure the homeowners to close within KB’s time frame (qtr numbers).But, the homes are built with quality up until you reach the finish stage. This is where the homeowners come into play with the homeowner walk prior to Close of Escrow. You go through every inch of the house room by room and you have the customer service rep document everything you see. This is extremely important, because KB’s and most other large builders have a policy to not close a home without that walk list being 100% complete and signed off by the homeowner. With that being said, just as the previous KB Homeowner stated, they will take care of you during the standard 1 year stucco to stucco warranty. Also, another note, where KB really makes their money is in the studio options you choose, where the other builders might give as standard.

Good luck, and thank god for SB800

Tuba

[Tuba]

I used to work for KB Home prior to my current career. It is true that KB Home does push the 90 day schedule, and pressure the homeowners to close within KB’s time frame (qtr numbers).But, the homes are built with quality up until you reach the finish stage. This is where the homeowners come into play with the homeowner walk prior to Close of Escrow. You go through every inch of the house room by room and you have the customer service rep document everything you see. This is extremely important, because KB’s and most other large builders have a policy to not close a home without that walk list being 100% complete and signed off by the homeowner. With that being said, just as the previous KB Homeowner stated, they will take care of you during the standard 1 year stucco to stucco warranty. Also, another note, where KB really makes their money is in the studio options you choose, where the other builders might give as standard.

Good luck, and thank god for SB800

Tuba

[Anonymous]

A National builder is only as good as it’s local workers are… To a point. The company must have transparent operations and good customer service to help you ensure that you will be buying a quality product.
In South Carolina, Centex has a very good name where KB and Beazer are not so esteemed. Lennar also has also gotten a bad rap as well.
I had been dealing with a Company called Keystone (out of Richmond va) that has the most evasive polices ever. They don’t allow private phase inspections. You are not allowed to talk to the builder or even know his name. They don’t do walkthroughs. Talking to them is like talking to the wall. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH A COMPANY WITH SUCH POLICES AGAIN!
I ended up backing out of the deal as I noticed that they were not flashing the windows before they were set or in my interpretation- following the manufacturer instructions on the Tyvek that they charge you $1000 extra for. I didn’t trust them to fix it either.
This was the same company that argued with county building services that OSB board didn’t need a moisture barrier behind siding because of the thin wax coating that is applied to OSB! They lost that argument as there is only one siding company that does not require a moisture barrier.
One thing I learned is that when you buy in a new neighborhood you are not just buying into the problems of your house, but that of all the other homes in the neighborhood. Ask yourself= Do you really want to live in an area where all the other homes are falling apart?
The shoddy work of today, will become the slums of tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

A National builder is only as good as it’s local workers are… To a point. The company must have transparent operations and good customer service to help you ensure that you will be buying a quality product.
In South Carolina, Centex has a very good name where KB and Beazer are not so esteemed. Lennar also has also gotten a bad rap as well.
I had been dealing with a Company called Keystone (out of Richmond va) that has the most evasive polices ever. They don’t allow private phase inspections. You are not allowed to talk to the builder or even know his name. They don’t do walkthroughs. Talking to them is like talking to the wall. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH A COMPANY WITH SUCH POLICES AGAIN!
I ended up backing out of the deal as I noticed that they were not flashing the windows before they were set or in my interpretation- following the manufacturer instructions on the Tyvek that they charge you $1000 extra for. I didn’t trust them to fix it either.
This was the same company that argued with county building services that OSB board didn’t need a moisture barrier behind siding because of the thin wax coating that is applied to OSB! They lost that argument as there is only one siding company that does not require a moisture barrier.
One thing I learned is that when you buy in a new neighborhood you are not just buying into the problems of your house, but that of all the other homes in the neighborhood. Ask yourself= Do you really want to live in an area where all the other homes are falling apart?
The shoddy work of today, will become the slums of tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

A National builder is only as good as it’s local workers are… To a point. The company must have transparent operations and good customer service to help you ensure that you will be buying a quality product.
In South Carolina, Centex has a very good name where KB and Beazer are not so esteemed. Lennar also has also gotten a bad rap as well.
I had been dealing with a Company called Keystone (out of Richmond va) that has the most evasive polices ever. They don’t allow private phase inspections. You are not allowed to talk to the builder or even know his name. They don’t do walkthroughs. Talking to them is like talking to the wall. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH A COMPANY WITH SUCH POLICES AGAIN!
I ended up backing out of the deal as I noticed that they were not flashing the windows before they were set or in my interpretation- following the manufacturer instructions on the Tyvek that they charge you $1000 extra for. I didn’t trust them to fix it either.
This was the same company that argued with county building services that OSB board didn’t need a moisture barrier behind siding because of the thin wax coating that is applied to OSB! They lost that argument as there is only one siding company that does not require a moisture barrier.
One thing I learned is that when you buy in a new neighborhood you are not just buying into the problems of your house, but that of all the other homes in the neighborhood. Ask yourself= Do you really want to live in an area where all the other homes are falling apart?
The shoddy work of today, will become the slums of tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

A National builder is only as good as it’s local workers are… To a point. The company must have transparent operations and good customer service to help you ensure that you will be buying a quality product.
In South Carolina, Centex has a very good name where KB and Beazer are not so esteemed. Lennar also has also gotten a bad rap as well.
I had been dealing with a Company called Keystone (out of Richmond va) that has the most evasive polices ever. They don’t allow private phase inspections. You are not allowed to talk to the builder or even know his name. They don’t do walkthroughs. Talking to them is like talking to the wall. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH A COMPANY WITH SUCH POLICES AGAIN!
I ended up backing out of the deal as I noticed that they were not flashing the windows before they were set or in my interpretation- following the manufacturer instructions on the Tyvek that they charge you $1000 extra for. I didn’t trust them to fix it either.
This was the same company that argued with county building services that OSB board didn’t need a moisture barrier behind siding because of the thin wax coating that is applied to OSB! They lost that argument as there is only one siding company that does not require a moisture barrier.
One thing I learned is that when you buy in a new neighborhood you are not just buying into the problems of your house, but that of all the other homes in the neighborhood. Ask yourself= Do you really want to live in an area where all the other homes are falling apart?
The shoddy work of today, will become the slums of tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

A National builder is only as good as it’s local workers are… To a point. The company must have transparent operations and good customer service to help you ensure that you will be buying a quality product.
In South Carolina, Centex has a very good name where KB and Beazer are not so esteemed. Lennar also has also gotten a bad rap as well.
I had been dealing with a Company called Keystone (out of Richmond va) that has the most evasive polices ever. They don’t allow private phase inspections. You are not allowed to talk to the builder or even know his name. They don’t do walkthroughs. Talking to them is like talking to the wall. I WILL NEVER DEAL WITH A COMPANY WITH SUCH POLICES AGAIN!
I ended up backing out of the deal as I noticed that they were not flashing the windows before they were set or in my interpretation- following the manufacturer instructions on the Tyvek that they charge you $1000 extra for. I didn’t trust them to fix it either.
This was the same company that argued with county building services that OSB board didn’t need a moisture barrier behind siding because of the thin wax coating that is applied to OSB! They lost that argument as there is only one siding company that does not require a moisture barrier.
One thing I learned is that when you buy in a new neighborhood you are not just buying into the problems of your house, but that of all the other homes in the neighborhood. Ask yourself= Do you really want to live in an area where all the other homes are falling apart?
The shoddy work of today, will become the slums of tomorrow.

[bearvine]

Builder Experience-

This is builder experience from homes we’ve been involved with in one way or another, amd only includes the tracts with over 100 homes.

In order for SoCal,

1. Pulte- in SoCal is definitely better that Pulte NoCal and Pulte Vegas, with national builders in SoCal Pulte is near the top.

2. Lennar- never had a problem, quick to assist, good quality

3. (tie)Shea- hit and miss depending on neighborhood, depends on who the supe was and the subs they hired. I guess that means their hiring practices are substandard

3. (tie)Mcmillin- middle of the road construction, materials not as nice as the two above. They don’t have the same buying power for materials as the nationals, and to compete price wise it shows in their construction

4. US Homes- prior to becoming part of Lennar, not so great. It shows in a lot of their older Temecula Redhawk homes.

5. K Hov- again, so so

6. DB Horton- whatever

7.t Richmond American- poor quality

7.t Centex (same as above)

8. KB- the bottom of the batch

[bearvine]

Builder Experience-

This is builder experience from homes we’ve been involved with in one way or another, amd only includes the tracts with over 100 homes.

In order for SoCal,

1. Pulte- in SoCal is definitely better that Pulte NoCal and Pulte Vegas, with national builders in SoCal Pulte is near the top.

2. Lennar- never had a problem, quick to assist, good quality

3. (tie)Shea- hit and miss depending on neighborhood, depends on who the supe was and the subs they hired. I guess that means their hiring practices are substandard

3. (tie)Mcmillin- middle of the road construction, materials not as nice as the two above. They don’t have the same buying power for materials as the nationals, and to compete price wise it shows in their construction

4. US Homes- prior to becoming part of Lennar, not so great. It shows in a lot of their older Temecula Redhawk homes.

5. K Hov- again, so so

6. DB Horton- whatever

7.t Richmond American- poor quality

7.t Centex (same as above)

8. KB- the bottom of the batch

[bearvine]

Builder Experience-

This is builder experience from homes we’ve been involved with in one way or another, amd only includes the tracts with over 100 homes.

In order for SoCal,

1. Pulte- in SoCal is definitely better that Pulte NoCal and Pulte Vegas, with national builders in SoCal Pulte is near the top.

2. Lennar- never had a problem, quick to assist, good quality

3. (tie)Shea- hit and miss depending on neighborhood, depends on who the supe was and the subs they hired. I guess that means their hiring practices are substandard

3. (tie)Mcmillin- middle of the road construction, materials not as nice as the two above. They don’t have the same buying power for materials as the nationals, and to compete price wise it shows in their construction

4. US Homes- prior to becoming part of Lennar, not so great. It shows in a lot of their older Temecula Redhawk homes.

5. K Hov- again, so so

6. DB Horton- whatever

7.t Richmond American- poor quality

7.t Centex (same as above)

8. KB- the bottom of the batch

[bearvine]

Builder Experience-

This is builder experience from homes we’ve been involved with in one way or another, amd only includes the tracts with over 100 homes.

In order for SoCal,

1. Pulte- in SoCal is definitely better that Pulte NoCal and Pulte Vegas, with national builders in SoCal Pulte is near the top.

2. Lennar- never had a problem, quick to assist, good quality

3. (tie)Shea- hit and miss depending on neighborhood, depends on who the supe was and the subs they hired. I guess that means their hiring practices are substandard

3. (tie)Mcmillin- middle of the road construction, materials not as nice as the two above. They don’t have the same buying power for materials as the nationals, and to compete price wise it shows in their construction

4. US Homes- prior to becoming part of Lennar, not so great. It shows in a lot of their older Temecula Redhawk homes.

5. K Hov- again, so so

6. DB Horton- whatever

7.t Richmond American- poor quality

7.t Centex (same as above)

8. KB- the bottom of the batch

[Author]

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