This was a spec home, already completed when we purchased it. Overall the home seems to build stucturally well, the floors are level and don't squeak, the layout is good and the kitchen cabinets are very nice. Unfortunally due to other aspects of dealing with this builder and problems later uncovered with the house our overall opinion of this builder is negative.
Pre closing items
1) Mud in carpet thru-out house
2) Paint very thin in areas (one coat)
3) 3 sets of double windows were warped and wouldn't open
4) Trim around windows poorly installed
These items were not fixed before closing as promised several times by the builder and his employees. An SAB employee showed up on moving day with a spray bottle carpet cleaner and attempted to scrub the mud out of the floors. We asked him to leave and send the professional cleaners which were promised. This never happened but another SAB employee did show up with a rented machine that worked ok. Painting was not touched up everywhere it was requested, trim was not fixed and most importantly the windows were not fixed.
The windows was a major problem in the end, the three window sets that would not open also leaked around the frame due to poor installation and no caulking. Two out of the three eventually had to be replaced but not until several phone calls to the office and even a formal letter. The third window was literally cut in the middle, taken apart and fixed and then glued back together. Since then I have discovered another leaking window but since warranty is over it is my responsibility. I have a feeling since now 1/3rd of my windows have leaked the rest will leak eventually or are leaking now and just can't see it.
Moving weekend also produced some suprises, some small some big. The dishwasher leaked (poorly installed) on the hardwood floors causing them to warp. This was fixed many months later after it was finally proven the floor wouldn't fix itself by drying out. Another small by annoying discovery was the water hook up for the refrigirator. A toilet shutoff value was used in place of the standard shutoff so normal water lines didn't fit. In the end I moved the water line anyway so I could push the frig all the way up against the wall.
As time went on we discovered two leaks in the basement, one directly into the main breaker box and the other in one of the many cracks. Pictures were required to prove that these leaks were actually leaks before they were finally fixed. The first SAB employee showed up with a bottle of Home Depot concrete caulk and ran it along one for the cracks, of course this didn't work. A professional was eventually called in to resolve the issue.
Another issue which still exists is poor drainage in the yard and around the foundation. After several months of promises a french drain was installed to resolve a portion of the problem. This of course was supposed to be a professional installation by a company who knew what they were doing. This turned out to be two SAB employees who had to install it twice before it even worked to move water to the street. The second installation would not have happened but I got the developer (Hunt Midwest) involved.
Most of the other issues have been small and for the most part insignificant but they do affect my overall option of this builder. Examples include only receiving one key at closing (5 others came 9 months later in the mail), towel racks falling out of the walls, very little or no insulation used in exterior walls and above garage. We can feel cold air pouring in around the power outlets and light switches and see daylight in several areas in the basement around the foundation.
For those of you who have made it this far thanks and beware. I am sure this isn't the worst horror story out there and might actually be pretty tame. This however was my first house and I was expecting more than what I received for the price. I still have one issue open with the builder even though we are going on our second year (one year warranty). I have since sent two additional letters and called more times than I can count. Now no one will even return my phone calls and the office staff has completely changed. Apparently I am only one on a list of many who have items yet to be completed. I suppose I am just going to forget about getting the last item completed and be more wary of the next builder I work with. I am sure there are some decent, honest and TRUSTWORTHY builders out there somewhere, maybe next time I will find one and report back a happy home buyer.
