[swrinfla]

dfrey:

You'll see another answer from me in another thread.

When I built in late 2004, I had virtually no contact with my builder. Nor, would there have been much option to make changes, whatever, as things went along. That's the way it was, then. I'm guessing that the options offered you under today's schemes are far less flexible than mine were.

All decisions about what I wanted (home style, flooring, cabinets, counters, appliances, window treatments, etc., - even down to kitchen and bath faucets) were made the week before construction began. Once they began, it was almost exactly 90 days until the house was finished and closing was accomplished. I was blown away.

There was no flexibility in closing date - which was established at the end of the week during which I chose everything!

When closing day came, I was again blown away because everything was exactly as I had wanted it. At the end of the first week, I had perhaps five minor things that needed attention. All but one of these was taken care of within three hours; the last had to wait until the part could be sent to the installer (a small shower-head holder).

I was fortunate in that my brother, a non-Villager but living within 12 miles of my house, came by almost daily to see what was happening, and e-mailed me status reports. However, neither of us ever found anything about which to complain during the building. And, I've found only one really very minor complaint since I came here permanently 02/24/05.

I do not know whether you can expect the same quality today. So very, very much has changed, including some severe arguments over the quality of vinyl-sided homes. I count myself as very lucky to have chosen TV at the time that I did, but cannot imagine that folks coming now will ever regret their decision to do so!

SWR