
A few months ago I announced I had purchased my first home in Dallas! My plan is to post updates on the blog as we go along with the add-on, but things got a little icky. I debated sharing this, but I’m sure there are many of you out there that have dealt with similar issues regarding building new homes, remodels, add-ons and working with builders and contractors. Before I signed a contract on my house, I researched a few builders, brought them to the house, told them what I wanted (including details like marble countertops), and had them draw up initial plans with an architect, along with a quote they could do it for. The point of this song and dance was to see if I could actually afford to do the add-on I was wanting before committing to the house. All of the builders I talked to came back and gave me a quote in my price range – I was ecstatic! I chose my favorite and decided to move forward with buying the house.
I met with the builder a few times (and took my interior designer with me) and we picked out all the details. They were handling everything on the backend: the soil tests, engineering, permitting, etc. I sent my last revisions to them in the middle of April, and then it was practically radio silent for more than two months. I reached out multiple times just to follow up, to make sure everything was going on schedule and to see if they needed anything from me. I got a few responses back saying it was taking longer than expected (which is totally normal in this business), so I didn’t worry about it. In one of these emails I asked for an updated schedule/time frame since things were taking longer than planned – which is a completely reasonable request, don’t you think? Instead of the project manager just sending me an updated schedule, the actual builder called me. Instead of just apologizing that it was taking longer and explaining the situation, he made me feel like my questions were ridiculous and spoke to me like I was a five year old. He spoke around my questions instead of answering them.
When I followed up for the final time, the builder sent me back an email saying that the quote he gave me originally was not anywhere near what it would cost. He told me that this project was going to cost me more than double what he quoted me AT LEAST. I know prices fluctuate in this business, so I wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d quoted me at $15K or even $25K more, but the amount he came back with was absurd. What’s hilarious is he said he talked to some of his “builder friends” who do mostly add-ons and remodels and they quoted him the same amount. I know for a fact this is false, because the two other builders I contacted before buying the house only do those types of projects and they actually quoted me less than he did originally. He also worked in a way that prevented me from seeing all of the costs broken out (as in to see what’s driving up the cost, how much of a chunk of money is he getting for the project) instead of a fixed cost. I expected more from a company who works primarily in Highland Park/Park Cities and apparently has a stellar reputation. If he didn’t want to do the project, or didn’t have the vaguest idea what it would actually cost to do this type of project, why even bother giving me a quote in the first place?
Because they’d already done all the permitting, I decided to go ahead and buy the plans + permit from him so that I wouldn’t lose the last several months of time/work. I’m now talking to a couple of other builders (who have the exact plans) to see what price they will come up with. They already seem like a better fit based on my conversations with them and what they’ve been willing to share with me. I hope to provide you with more exciting updates soon, so stay tuned!!!
Have any of y’all ever experienced anything like this?? Please share.
Hi! Do you mind telling me who your previous builder was? I live in the Park Cities and just hired someone to build a large outdoor kitchen/entertainment area and want to make sure it’s not who we hired!! Sorry for your experience. Hope your next is better!
Oh no! That’s so horrible, Merritt! Sending you good vibes that the new builders will be much more professional and treat you like the intelligent adult that you are!
Ugh! What a mess. Sorry about that.
Best wishes as you move forward…
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
Sorry to here this, Merritt! I’ve heard a few horror stories about contractors, best of luck!
xox Tess | Sequins are the New Black
So sorry to hear about this mess. Hopefully one of the new contractors you are speaking with will not “mark-up” your cost based on your location, which I’m sure is what’s happening here. I did have this problem once with a landscape contractor, and it was when I was in my late 20’s. Sometimes I feel like shady contractors will try to take advantage of younger clients. I’m glad you took control and fired him! I’ve done everything from foundation work to renovations on my home. Feel free to contact me if you have questions!
xoxo
Cathy
http://www.bayareafashionista.com
I don’t have personal experience with home remodel but used to utilize construction contractors extensively with my job. What happens is that the contractor took on too much work. They either got hung up/delayed on another project or had more people accept them than they could ever feasibly manage. Its unfortunate but it happens a lot and has nothing to do with you being single and/or female. Its about money. I would ask your designer for reccs.
So sorry to hear about your housing struggles. My mom recently added an addition onto our house and had a similar situation. What was supposed to take 3 months, took almost 8. And a month before the project was supposed to be complete, the contractor’s workers up and quit! Apparently they had had enough of the contractor too! Thankfully my mom’s project was far enough along she could handle hiring people to finish painting, but it was truly frustrating. So just know that you’re not alone!! Programs like HGTV make it look so easy, don’t they?! ha! Good luck with the rest of your project!
Kristyn
Primp and Proper
Ugh that is awful, sadly I have never heard a good story about remodeling or building a hope! I know it’ll work out and cannot wait to see it when it starts coming along!
Oh gosh! We had a NIGHTMARE experience when we bought our first home in Lakewood. It’s too long to share here but culminated in finding out that sub contractors were sleeping (and basically squatting) in our home (we were staying in a rental during renovations) and eating and Showering?! And using my towels?! So bad!! Please be careful and do not store any valuables on -site. We also had our garage (which we were using fo storage during renovations) broken into and robbed by sub contractors during renovations. Ended up firing our contractor too! Ugh. Hang in there!!
My husband is a builder/real estate developer in Preston Hollow and we too encounter these problems with our sub-contractors and vendors – they are where the problem begins! We are building a home for ourselves right now and have had major issues with our kitchen vendor AND the sub-contractor with both price and delays. In addition, there have been issues with our hardwood floor sub-contractor and our plumbing supplier. Everything seems to be a combination of arriving late/getting postponed/or going M.I.A.!
Also, keep in mind that in the Dallas area, construction is BOOMING therefore prices are skyrocketing every week/month because demand is through the roof and there are not enough good contractors around to do the job (especially in the summer months). If you can, I’d say hold off until October and then work on starting your project. Supply prices might correct themselves a bit with demand slowing and additionally, there should be more contractors available for work at better prices.
It’s good you got the plan/permits – they can be impossible to secure. My husband once worked a year to get permits/plans approved by the City of Dallas (for a standard residential new construction project ) and because it was such a hassle, just sold the lot with the plans/permit because it was no longer worth it to him to do that project.