KB Home "Built To Order" does anyone own one.

My fiancee and I are looking into purchasing a home late this year or early next year and she really likes one of the plans that KB Home offers in the East Palmdale (CA) area. I have been doing some online reading and apparently they seem to build their homes with crappy materials and low workmanship. I have also come across many complaints of KB Home not honoring their ten year warranty. Does anyone here own, has owned one or have any personal experience with the company? I greatly appreciate any comments. Thanks guys.

 

Sounds awesome so far

 

Thanks!

 

I meant your story .

I couldn't help myself , I'm a carpenter and residential builder .

I have no experience with the homes you were asking about .

 

OP you could go over your concerns with the contractor and ask about materials and a break down, if you hire them remember they work for YOU, you have the right to ask as many questions as you like

 

KB Homes is a national company, I say support your local builders. Not only for better quality control, but local businesses are usually better about warranty repairs as well

 

thank you guys for your input. being a first-time home buyer is exciting and scary knowing so many things could go wrong.

 

We work for KB Homes designing their sites and infrastructure (streets, water, sewer etc). We do not have anything to do with the houses, but being on site I have looked at the houses and I would not buy it. Even the sites are done cheap - cheapest contractors - lots of broken curb, roads fall apart etc. and they don't do anything about it. My experience is in Florida though; I can't speak for the CA division - management makes a big diference, but sometimes there is company policy that drives quality.
Just my opinion - they are a client of us, so I can't say anything bad about them, just that I won't buy their houses.

BUT: If you really like the floorplan and you can go sit down with them and explain to them that you have heard bad things about their quality control, you might get a feel for the local management and if they are willing to work with you. You will have to be able to spend a lot of time there while they build, and you will have to feel comfortable with taking them on about issues you don't like. When I had my house built I was there every day and I had an agreement with them that I was going to check up on them. It was also a big national builder, but the local superintendent understood where I came from and he worked with me. My house have a lot fewer flaws than my neighbors', and I really enjoy living here now.

 

About 10% of the consumer complaints online are from california and half of those are regarding the finance side of it. Most of the complaints regarding warranty or any type of structural issues are mainly from texas. I'd have to say you have given a new approach which I will definitely consider. I'm nowhere near becoming a general contractor, but being around construction sites constantly and working along side with some of my contractor friends I have a pretty good idea of how things should be done. I guess the only compromise would be the down-time which if KB is willing to work with me should be no issue at all. Thank You sir for sharing your personal experience.

 

^^^This

 

KB Homes built my house 14+ years ago, the community I lived in In Lakeside Ca, There quality is about the same as any national chain. They hire the cheapest contractors they can find and do not police them very well, during our initial inspections found doors on the wrong walls, electrical outlets wired incorrectly, and cement work that was shoddy at best, I would not recommend them to build another house. But finding a good contractor to build is like anything else you get what you pay for. Good luck in your build..

 

Woodside homes is in victorville CA and my sister and her Fiance have had a really good experience with them. If there were any problems they honored their warranty and took care of the problem pretty quickly.

 

That's very true. I know, we hire day laborers all the time when customers don't want to pay top money. And thank you.

 

That's good to know, since Antelope Valley isn't too far from there. I've spoken to a guy whom purchased a new home from them and he said that the warranty service was pretty good IN THAT AREA (Antelope Valley).