GEMCRAFT HOMES

Description of Work: At the time of writing this review, I am approximately 90 days post settlement with Gemcraft Homes and have experienced numerous issues which will be described in this review. If you would like to save yourself from reading the entire review, please do not purchase a Gemcraft Home. I have purchased three new homes in my lifetime, and this is absolutely the worst experience I have ever had with a new home builder. It is imperative to stress the fact that without the efforts of the sales representative Justin Hensley, we would have never purchased a Gemcraft Home. It is unfortunate that he decide to pursue other ventures with another competing builder because he was an asset to Gemcraft Homes. Mr. Hensley was extremely thorough during the sales process and his professionalism was appreciated by both my wife and me. Unfortunately our experience went extremely downhill from when Mr. Hensely left Gemcraft Homes. I am failing to find the words to properly describe our dislike and disdain for Gemcraft Homes' sales representative Bob Stone. Mr. Stone can only be described as arrogant and smug. From my initial telephone conversation and meeting with Mr. Stone, I felt that I was never receiving information that was either correct or complete. During my interactions with Mr. Stone throughout the construction process, I was given numerous assurances that were incorrect or directly contradicted the information provided by the production manager, Joe Ruello. Mr. Stone was not responsive via email or telephone. Most return calls/emails could take 2-3 days (not including his regularly scheduled days off of Thurs/Fri). At one point, I had to drive 30 miles to vist the model (where Mr. Stone was that day and with a customer at the time) to interrupt him to obtain information he absolutely refused to provide me. Mr. Stone ignored phone calls and emails for over 3 days and would not provide me information that would have delayed settlement. The proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back" was when my wife and I were sittinga at the settlement table at Chesapeake Title Company in Forest Hill and I received an email from Mr. Stone raising my sales price by $1,800.00 for custom tile that was installed in our master bathroom. This cost was included in our original sales contract and was listed both in the itemized options that were written by Mr. Hensley and the selection sheet that was provided to me by Mr. Stone. I am not certain whether the fact that Mr. Tone did not read our contract and see that we were charged the $1,800.00 in the base price or the fact that he had no idea our loan had been approved and we were physically at the settlement table signing documents is most reprehensible. Construction Process: Framing: The framing company did not do a thorough job of framing my home. They were extrmely slow in the framing process and did not read the plans/selection sheet prior to performing the work. They had the main level framed when I brought to their attnetion that they were missing a bay window in the front of my home. Through an addendum shortly after the contract was written, I agreed to compensate Gemcraft Homes $850.00 to glue and screw the subfloors in my home. This became a very large issue from the beginning because the framers took it upon themselves to nail the subfloor. Mr. Ruello was contacted on numerous occasions that the floors were not secured by screws and I was continually guaranteed that the work would be completed. Ony after the luan and laminate was laid in the home, that framers returned to screw the subfloors. The framers had almost 45 days from the time they completed framing to the time they actually returned with screws to complete the flooring. At this time, there are several areas in my hoem that were not secured properly and we have both flexing of the floor and squeaks. The screws were also driven into the floor by a pneumatic nail gun and we have several areas that we can feel the head of the screw through the carpet and padding. Siding/Roofers: As stated in our contract, the home was to be built with 3.3 Dow Tuff board. The board was to cover the exterior of our home and the seams were to be taped so that it would increase the overall "R" value of the home. During the framing process, the framers ran out of the Tuff board material and left the job site for another project. When the board arrived on site, it was installed but the seams of the board were never taped. This was brought to the attention of Mr. Ruello via phone and email and I was assured that the board would be taped. As the siding was installed, the board was not taped by the siding company and work proceeded on the home. After a scheduled visit to the home with both Mr. Ruello and the siding company (who had guaranteed the work was completed properly), the siding was removed to show the board was not taped. During the process of installing the siding, the side of our bump-out near our front door was covered by vinyl siding. It was clearly stated in our plans that this was to be completed with stone. The siding was required to be removed so that the masons could complete their work. The bay window of our home was originally covered by shingles (matching the roof) which was a clear contradiction to our contract and master selection sheet because it referred to a bay window with metal roof. The reason I mention this is because there has been an extremely unecessary amount of holes that have been made in both the exterior panels of the Dow Tuff board and the roof of our bay window due to the sub contractors not following the plans and our project manager not being present on the job site. The trim molding ordered by Gemcraft Homes and sent to the job site was incorrect. The roofters installed the incorrect trim molding which was required to be removed. Upon removing of this material, they destroyed the drip edge near our roof. We were over 45 days post settlement before this repair was completed. I was told on numerous occasions by the sub contractor that their crews came out of New Jersey and were not going to travel to MD for a repair. I was told that I would have to wait until the next "roofing job" for them to complete the repair. After numerous phone calls/emails to Gemcraft Homes, the repair was completed. Electricians: The issues with the electricians have been minor and they have been resolved by brief calls directly to the sub contractor. They were continaully delayed in the construction process due to materials not being shipped to the job site in a timely fashion. Procurement: (I am referring to the department that orders all of the materials for each build) These are the errors made: 1. Stairs: The stairs to the main level were ordered incorrect and installed (which were shown on the plans and installed and installed anyway). 2. Trim molding: Molding was ordered incorrectly and created other damage 3. Electrical fixtures: Approximately 45 days post settlement, electrical fixtures were delivered so that they could be installed 4. Light bulbs: I was missing approximately 11 different bulbs. After 30 days post settlement and no resolution, I went to Lowes and purchased them myself. 5. Jacuzzi tub: I was provided a jacuzzi tub with jets and did not request this item. It will require more preventative maintenance in the future and we will not use it. Plumbing: To date, I have had no serious issues with plumbing in the home. I had a few toilets that were not operating properly and the subcontractor was both courteous and prompt in completing the repairs. They are by far the best subcontractor Gemcraft uses. Heating/AC: At 90 days post settlement, there has been no resolution to the failed Energy Star test i my home. I have requested the results of this test from Gemcraft Homes and the Fifth Fuel with no success. All I have received to this point (Feb 28th) is a certificate with no data or reference to the failed test. Production Manager: Mr. Ruello cannot be described as an effective production manager. His presence on the job site (as verified by the subcontractors for Gemcraft Homes) was virtually non-existent. He travels between each job site that is within two weeks of settlement and makes all attempts to clear up loose ends so that he is not responsible for settlement being delayed. I have noticed that since their production has slowed, he is on the job sites in my community more than when my home was constructed. I can only hope that these buyers do not have the same experience during the construction process. Our pre-construction meeting was ineffective and he appeared extremely distracted. He spent the majority of the time on his mobile phone and both Mr. Hensley and I had to repeat ourselves on numerous occasions due to him not being able to focus on our meeting. At this point in the process, I should have known that it would have been in my best interest to leave my deposit and walk away. Our pre-settlement walk through was almost completely identical with Mr. Ruello on his mobile phone for the majority of the time while I wakled through the home lookign for items that were in need of repair. Mr. Ruello's ability to return calls/emails was extremely subpar at best. He would not provide us his mobile telephone number and we were forced to call a voicemail system at the main office. Most attempts to reach him via telephone could take a minimum of two days for a response. I was informed by management that Mr. Ruello did not have access to email "in the field" but had seen him return emails on numerous occasions from him mobile phone during our meetings. Warranty Service Team: I have limited experience with the warranty dept at Gemcraft Homes, but can say that my limited experience has been good to this point. They have been extremely prompt in returning emails/calls.

Description of Work: GEMCRAFT HOMES BUILT OUR HOUSE ON A LOT THAT WE ALREADY OWNED. THEY DID EVERYTHING FROM START TO FINISH.

Description of Work: GEMCRAFT WAS CONTRACTED TO BUILD OUR HOME IN A DEVELOPMENT SETTING. THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR BUILDING THE ENTIRE HOUSE FROM START TO FINISH.