Home builders (MWC) Price range: $250k - $350k

[Clock4869]

First thanks for reading my post. My question as you can probably tell from the title is who you consider to be a good builder (new home construction). My price range is $250-$350k for a house that has 4 bedrooms and 3+ bathrooms (approx 2500-3000 sq feet). Basically who's trustable? Who's easy to work with? Who uses good quality products and has the know-how to do the job right?

A second question is what do you think of SWM&Sons? Have you dealt with them? Any opinons/concerns?

Finally feel free to offer any advice on building a home i.e. things to know and to watch out for...

Thanks in advance for all the help and advice you can offer me...

[Stinger]

Check your PM....

[Insider]

Check your PM...

[SoonerDave]

So many builders are allied these days under the banner of a "corporate" building entity it makes knowing who is really good/bad much harder, and lots of smaller builders have gotten out due to the market.

I can offer that I've heard *nothing* good about Ideal Homes. Anecdotal stories of substandard construction, to the point that one land developer in the area stopped selling lots to them - stories about foundations eroding/failing, walls sagging, and at best they drag their feet on fixing issues.

I recommend pursuing an individual builder anyway, because their name and their reputation goes on every house they build. You can get better information on a specific builder rather than general info on a building "company" (eg Ideal Homes). Also, take a visit to some local electrical and plumbing shops that work as subs for new home construction and ask them who *they* recommend as a builder.

Next best thing to do is to go out and look at the kind of house your builder constructs, *not* how well he/she appoints the house after its finished. Many people get suckered by a great looking spec house and have no idea the innards are junk. And don't think that just because you're buying a relatively expensive house that it will get you a "good" builder - I've seen some of the dirtiest tricks done by builders in some of the most expensive houses around.

As examples, for me, look for walls built with studs on 16" centers; look for roof construction using W-style flashing in the valleys rather than just shingles; look for copper plumbing rather than flexline; look for an excavated, steel-reinforced footing and stemwall in the construction of the foundation. Some of these items are mandated by construction covenants in the additions where the home is located. Ask a builder how often they personally visit each job site, or do they relegate that to a site foreman? Mind you, the absence/presence of any one item doesn't necessarily imply a bad (good) builder, but they generally point to the kind of home that builder *does* build, and where the corners may be cut.

Many of the really good builders I knew when I built my current home have retired and/or passed away, unfortunately...

Good luck in your search for a quality builder!

-SoonerDave

[Clock4869]

SoonerDave, Thank you for all of that great info. I am completely ignorant when it comes to home building - i will be sure to use your suggestions in narrowing down a builder. Thanks again!

[bombermwc]

I've heard similar experiences about Home Creations. Crumbling foundations especially. They'll make it look pretty, but it falls apart. I heard this from one of their finish carpentry contractor's mouths, "I'd never buy one of these pieces of crap".

[CuatrodeMayo]

You want a modern home? I could design it for you.

[etool782]

MySpace.com - greg - 33 - Male - OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma - www.myspace.com/homesbygregsmith

Greg Smith, custom homebuilder's site. There are pics to look through. He pretty much builds in the east metro, but does a little in the southside/Moore area too. Friendly guy and will let you look through his spec homes.

[BoomerSooner06]

SWM & Sons is excellent. I have several friends who used them and they are 100% satisfied. Stan (the owner/builder) is a local guy who takes pride in every house they build.

[kswright29]

SWM and Sons has built two houses for me. I've been very pleased with both of them. Very easy to work with and do quality work.