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How Do You Deal With Builder Problems?

I was in a situation yesterday that made me very uncomfortable, perhaps some of you can give me some pointers of a better way to handle situations like this.

Maybe I should give you a little background about me and my business so you will understand where I come from. I work very closely with a builder in his subdivision listing and selling his new homes. I also receive most of the resale listings in this subdivision. This has been my situation since I started in this business. This builder is very quality conscience so I am accustomed to quality construction with lots of attention to detail.

OK, back to yesterday. I am the buyer's agent for a gentleman is who purchasing a home in another subdivision by a another builder and the quality is what I would say is average. My buyer was in town and of course, we checked on the progress of the home under construction. My buyer was not pleased with quality (or lack) of the house and thought I should speak to the builder about it. Everything appeared to be "code" and of course has passed all inspections. I did ask the listing agent to speak to the builder about the concerns and see what the builder was willing to do. Should I have been more aggresive? This is a new and awkward situation for me and if I should do more for my buyer, I definitely want to.

Cynthia Tilghman, Onslow County New Home Specialist

Kingsbridge Realty, Inc., Making Houses Homes

We take pride in assisting Military families in locating the perfect home in Onslow County, NC

Posted by Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist on 05/15/2007 06:40 AM

Comments (6)

onslow county real estate, onslow county home specialist

Originally posted at: Onslow County NC Homes Talk: How Do You Deal With Builder Problems?

6 Comments on How Do You Deal With Builder Problems?

MAY

2007

That's a difficult situation, because typically, price correlates with quality/detail. Builders often will deflect issues by stating to customers that it is at the code requirement- minimum standard. Sometimes customers expect more than the builder ever indicated- is your buyer being nit-picky, or does he have legitimate complaints? How does his house compare to the model (if there is one) or other spec homes? You can't make demands of the builder if your buyer spent less (and got less) with everything clearly represented in other product available to view- but if it's shoddy work, go to the builder with a clear, reasonable list, and see what he/she has to say...good luck!

Laurie makes a good point about price and detail level correlating. If your buyer purposely purchased from a lower detailed builder so they could spend less money, it sure isn't fair to expect higher detail level.

Didn't the builder have any spec houses or past clients homes to review the finished product. I would never encourage someone to build with a builder without seeing the finish work.

More thoughts, if the builder has some legitimate quality issues, perhaps that he/she hasn't noticed then the buyer should submit a list. Now, if the buyer is being picky, be prepared for the builder to say no too. If the issues are legitimate then the builder can have them handled quickly.

I do get concerned when the real estate professional is being asked to play the heavy for the buyer? Is that because the "threat" of blackballing or retaliation is more severe from the REALTOR? I'm not sure I like it. Why can't the buyer write a letter?

Steve, as a builder rep (not an actual builder like yourself) including the realtor in the dialogue can be a good thing- a conduit- so that the buyer doesn't decide that he/she is the one controlling the level of quality in the house. I'd rather address the issues of NOT going into the home unaccompanied, NOT making silly lists that are going to be addressed by the builders own punchlist at a later time, etc. with the realtor, and let THEM pass it along. I'm usually the bad guy, defending the builder (who is 99% of the time correct) so it's a relief when they are brought in by realtor that is willing and able to satisfy both sides. The real estate agents that believe that they have clout- nah, no threat. Their buyers will just come in without them, and save the builder money...

Many thanks to all who responded, some very good suggestions. I really do appreciate your time and thoughts.

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