MileStone Community Builders

Description of Work: I contracted to purchase a home from Milestone at their Whitestone Landing location in Cedar Park. Initially things went well, but during construction we started to have problems. First the subcontractors missed item after item and it was only my diligence that got the corrections in order, I felt like an employee. The grout that we selected ended up at least four different colors and the solution became to paint the grout, and the fact is that this painting of grout will have to continue forever (especially in traffic areas). Removing grout in a finished home is simply not practical due to the amount of dust it would create with removal - per the Superintendent. This was resolved by not paying for the floors, but inheriting the problem moving forward. Several electrical outlets were missed and then rudimentary efforts were made to correct the problem, but destroyed some cabinets in the kitchen that had to be replaced. The replaced cabinets still are not right last I checked. This occurred even after pointing it out before cabinets and countertops, but no one cared enough to prevent. The countertops were not even at the range and to correct they were cut in place and damaged more cabinets - still damaged last I checked. Our home has a huge vaulted ceiling and they cut several holes trying to find a light fixture that was covered by drywall - then they patched it and it is noticeable. Why couldn't they simply measure the identical model home and make minimal penetrations? The light last I checked still doesn't work. The posts they used for our fence are all trying to leave the property as they are warping so badly, just looked at them today - the whole neighborhood fencing looks terrible. They missed the electrical in the kitchen island and claw hammered the slab, folded the wire over, and patched it - wow. The 2nd bedroom upstairs has the lumpiest floor I have ever walked on, even with the upgraded carpet/padding. Half of the doors were installed with flood damage at the bottoms and then painted. They said they replaced the flooded ones, but how can I be sure? The medicine cabinet I purchased for the master bath would not fit, nor does the spa shower nozzles. They moved the medicine cabinet to the powder bath, but it can't go near the sink - looks weird. The spa shower nozzles were spread apart to fit framing so they spray past you as you stand in front of them. I paid THEIR contractor to install upgraded quiet exhaust fans and THEIR painter literally painted the inside of them completely compromising the variable speed blower wheel - all that paint will never come out. I'm on my 3rd salesperson as they have fired the two previous. The back of the house was painted with paint that was cut entirely too much and looks like water color paint - don't know if that was corrected at the moment. They sold me an outdoor light that doesn’t fit the design nor could it be installed, so they just left it behind the porch pillar - looks silly - doesn't belong there. The railing upstairs is wobbly and they say it can't be tightened any further. Now for the BIG GRAND FINALLY...... I was given by THEIR LENDER my cash to close and a close date on the home, I have it in writing. Then in the 11th hour they informed me that the home did not appraise for the sales price and that I would need more cash to close. I was shocked. How was I informed? By my Salesperson whom they fired, but I remain in contact with to this very day. I had a rate lock of 3.88% that was expiring very shortly, keep in mind I used THEIR LENDER AND APPRAISSER. Since I had borrowed the money from my 401k and can only have one loan, I was cornered by their actions. Did they match the appraisal - nope. They canceled my closing date that I have in writing, they let my rate lock expire, and then the presidential election occurred; now rates are much higher for me greatly increasing my costs. I have contacted my salesperson’s supervisor who was extremely indifferent, then his supervisor Greg Miller who could not care less. Actually he blamed me for too many upgrades.....I'm sorry but this house is not anything spectacular. I asked "did the Appraiser see these upgrades" he said " yes, but they don't matter enough" The appaisal was about $23,000 short, $16,000 short after the flooring discount. They wanted another appraisal, but even THEIR LENDER said that discussions at his office determined they would not get close and my rate lock would expire before they could get it done - the Appraiser was not willing to budge. To make matters worse, I had given notice to vacate my current lease that was an expensive month-to-month because I chose not to renew since we were buying a new home. I have emails galore to all involved and nothing has been done. The house has been complete for about 5 months. This process started summer of 2016! I am now in a lease because the month-to-month was killing me financially and they were silent on the matter - email after email went ignored for days upon days with occasional vague responses. They have my earnest money, my fans, and the insulation upgrade I paid THEIR CONTRACTOR to install.