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Relocating- First Hand Experience Part 17

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Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809

Man, I want to scream!!  My husband is in Austin right now to check on the house... the workers were there late last night, but you've gotta wonder why.  Look at this picture. 

First, the cabinets are wrong.  That tiny tiny drawer, underneath the opening for the oven, is supposed to be a full-sized drawer.  This was confirmed a few weeks ago when we saw the tiny drawer in another house.  We were told that we were getting a full-sized drawer and not to worry.  What got put in the house?  And now that tile is in, it's going to be a little harder to wrip out and put in the correct one.

What else is wrong with the cabinets, you might ask?  There are supposed to be a row of stack drawers, you know, for tupperware containers and such. Where are the stack drawers?

Now, look at the tile floor.  Do you see the pattern?  Pattern?  There isn't supposed to be a pattern, but there is!! This same tile was actually laid in the showroom so we could see what the final product looked like. There are several "different" tiles to the "pattern" and with several different ones, there shouldn't be two of the same right next to each other, especially in the same orientation.  Why didn't they at least turn the tiles another direction?

I'm so frustrated, there aren't even words to describe what I'm feeling about this situation...

Breathe, Donna, breathe... breathe in, breathe out, repeat...

Ok, so after I sent an email to the builder, after leaving two voicemails this morning, I decided to look at things that I like.  Look at this awesome Slate floor.  It's still pretty dusty, but you can see some of the detail.  It's not what I expected since we currently have slate in our house, but this looks pretty good.

I'm wondering if all these mistakes would have been made if the original builder wasn't laid off and if our red-lined plans did not disappear...........

Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I hope you feel better venting here - I always do! Another great purpose for activerain.

Feb 25, 2009 02:25 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate

Hey, Donna. I can understand completely. I do have to say, I love the slate tile. Hope all goes better, Jim

Feb 25, 2009 02:32 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Lise, I don't feel better yet as the builder has not returned my calls even though I called first thing this morning, before 8am, and it's now almost 11am already... I'll feel better once I can talk with someone.

JiMaria, Thanks.  I was unsure about the slate from the pictures my husband sent last night, but he took the above picture this morning and with some light, it looks good. This is the same slate that will go on our balcony too.

Feb 25, 2009 02:42 AM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Donna, we've had three new construction building experiences and I absolutely agree if you're not there keeping an eye on things, this stuff happens. (The tile 'pattern' is a pet peeve of mine, that's why my husband installed ours). Best of luck, this is stressful!

Feb 25, 2009 02:45 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

It is always difficult to get things done perfectly in a new build -- re the tile floor you do not like- was it specified in writing that you wanted the tiles in a non pattern layout -- if so then make them take them out -- if it was not specified in writing, then you may be stuck with it unless you pay more -- our 2 cents.

Feb 25, 2009 03:11 AM
Jesse Vasquez
Equity Realty- TVG - Smithfield, UT
"APPROVED”

Hi Donna!

Well again it seem you and I are going and have gone through very similar situations, I had same issue with my builder and all I could do was Breath Jesse breath!! in the end it all worked out and I got all flustered for nothing, they worked it out, I am sure they will for you too, just breath and look into your daughters eyes that will make it better

Feb 25, 2009 04:49 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Debbie, The tile is a big pet peeve for me too, but even bigger for my husband. He is complaining so much about it.  The guys who didn't speak much English said they would fix it.  We'll see.

Bob & Carolin, Lots of things were specified in writing, however, our original red-line blueprints are gone so they're just pulling crap out of their buttock!  They'll be redoing it if I have to pull more teeth past the white mortar issue.

Jesse, I wouldn't say the being flustered is for nothing since the changes wouldn't get done if I don't get flustered at them first.  It is now 1:30pm and I STILL have not heard back from my builder!

Feb 25, 2009 05:32 AM
Jesse Vasquez
Equity Realty- TVG - Smithfield, UT
"APPROVED”

Donna,

how did it turn out today with the builder, anything? Breath!!! thanks for ALL your help always!!!!!!

Feb 25, 2009 10:30 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Jesse, NO calls were returned, and neither were the emails... phone was going straight to voicemail for all three messages.  The sales guy has Wed and Thurs off which is why I called him first thing in the morning so issues could be resolved early and he could enjoy the rest of his days off, but it looks like I get to call him tomorrow too...

Feb 25, 2009 01:26 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Donna... This is insanity!  And the fact that they are treating a real estate agent (who could have referred them business in a bad market) this way shows how stupid they really are.  Please let us know if they ever decide to return your call.

Feb 25, 2009 03:15 PM
Teresa Harris
Lake Real Estate, LLC - Denver, NC
Denver . Lake Norman . Charlotte

Okay at least I know you're still breathing, because you posted a new post tonight! I know we have been through a lot with this house and I think it is great that you are sharing this with us....custom building can be a real eye opener.

We will be waiting for 18, 19, 20, etc...

Feb 25, 2009 03:48 PM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

As you wrote in your post....Breathe, Donna, breathe... breathe in, breathe out, repeat...!!!

You guys are experiencing such a nightmare with this home.

I only hope they get it right for the final walk through and you guys are ecstatic with the final product.

With all you've been through, you guys deserve it!

Feb 26, 2009 05:43 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

WORSE news, guys... our "new" builder was LAID OFF!  We're now going to be assigned a third builder.  Mike is in Austin right now, and walked through the house with the person who we were told was going to be the new builder, but he is not taking ownership of it and is saying another person will handle the house.

On top of that, our counters were put on top of the WRONG cabinets!!

Craig, No, I'm not breathing... I'm FUMING!!

Teresa, Nope, not breathing, but there will definitely be more posts as my husband wants me to pull up PRE-OWNED homes in the area... *ARG*

Steve, I called this morning only to find out the builder wasn't returning calls because he was laid off... this is NOT good!

Feb 26, 2009 05:49 AM
Craig Rutman
Helping people in transition - Cary, NC
Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

Ouch!

Feb 26, 2009 05:55 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

It's more than OUCH!  There are many more words that have been said, but are not publishable...

Feb 26, 2009 06:57 AM
Debi Ernst
St. Charles County, Missouri - Prudential Alliance Realtors - O'Fallon, MO
GRI, e-PRO, Broker/Sales Associate

  Donna - I'm sorry about all of your frustrations.  :(   You know how it's supposed to look, but it all looks beautiful to me!  I hope they get everything else right!  :)

 

Feb 26, 2009 10:12 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

Debi, 20 bucks at least 10 more things go wrong!

Feb 26, 2009 01:00 PM
MeLisa Minter, Realtor
Minter Real Estate Services - Taylor Lake Village, TX
Bay Area Houston Real Estate Agent

Wow.... I feel for you.  Hang in there.

What builder was this again??

Mar 02, 2009 10:52 AM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

MeLisa, I'm trying to hang in... It's funny that you ask what builder because I have never mentioned the builder's name in a single one of my blogs about the entire building process, and only a couple of people have emailed me offline to ask... and I rather not mention it now!  I don't want to burn any bridges in case I have clients who want to build with them, plus I have sold several of their homes in Dallas over the years, and all those clients are happy.

Mar 02, 2009 01:12 PM