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Home Construction Quality
Hi all. My wife and I are seriously considering moving to TV along with a couple of other options. My main question concerns the quality of the homes in TV. We are most interested in a new home that is CMU. Does anyone have any feedback, good or bad, on the construction quality?
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Cmu?
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He provides videos to owners that can't be there to see their homes being built. You can see how things are done. |
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I understand that they have stopped using poured-in-place concrete for the new houses. They are using concrete block construction (CMU). In my opinion, the construction quality is good, and the quality control is very good as compared to most new construction I have seen over the years. Also, they are excellent when it comes to warranty issues. If you want to move to The Villages, I wouldn't worry about the construction quality. The main thing to look for is a good location and avoiding noise issues, especially traffic noise.
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Having watched, in great detail, several dozen homes being built here in The Villages I can tell you that mistakes are few and the quality of work is very good. The men and women building these homes have honed their skills and know their trades. I've talked to some of the workers in many of the trades and to a person everyone is glad for the success of the development because it means guaranteed work for years to come, something rare in the construction trades. When asked about the quality of work they all say the same thing, their foremen are very tough on them and demand quality, the screwups don't last long and don't get passed from one contractor to another. Too many screwups leads to poor quality work which leads to lost contracts and there are 4 or 5 more companies that will do the same job. They seem to take great pride in their work.
Yes, in some of the spec homes builder's grade fixtures and finishes are used, just like everywhere else, this is adequate for the desires of most, many want to upgrade. I replace all the appliances within the first 2 years because I didn't like the noise, they made or the configuration (side-by-side frig), it was a choice, but not one everyone makes. Looking at the newer spec homes, most come with many upgrades that were previously found in the custom-built homes in response to mark demand. CYV's used to be built with poured concrete exterior walls, that changed shortly after moving south of SR44 to CMU walls. The CMU give greater ease of flexibility in the design and layout of the homes plus it cut the construction methods from three to two being used. I've heard some people complain that they take shortcut and that's how they build so fast. This is a false statement. The speed of the building is a testament to the high level of coordination that is going on to build the new communities. You wouldn't call a Mercedes or a BMW poor constructed just because it comes off the assembly line in a few hours, of course not, it's a refined and well organized manufacturing process, the same can be said about homes built here in The Villages. Yes, there will be some complaints because sometimes there will be errors that were overlooked. I expect to see some of those complaints on this thread over the next few days. Considering this will be only a couple of people out of the 2500-4000 homes they are building every year and the percentage is very small. |
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Thank you. Great info.
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I was an engineer and a building contractor before I retired. The home we purchased was constructed in 2005, and I must say it seems to be well constructed as compared to homes in many areas of the country. The developer has developed specifications and has engaged a stable of home builders that can mass produce these homes and ensure quality construction. I cannot speak for older homes built in the 80's and 90's.
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In the end with no signs of the US\UK borders re-opening we decided to rent our dream home and Don was once more there to help by sending photo's that we could use to advertise. Not only that he even helped sort out the purchase and delivery of our white goods for our new tenants. When our tenants moved in they noted a small tear in the lania screen. We contacted the Villages Maintenance department and the next day a guy was out to repair it, no questions asked. So whilst I have yet to see my home, as I said I every confidence in the quality. Watch Don's video's as he goes through in detail the construction process, each home build reveals a little more information. Good luck with your purchase. |
Home Quality
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Our current home only had a few minor issues we found after we moved in. All minor and cosmetic, pocket door ends were a tad rough, one sidelight on the front door was upside down, and a cap broken on a sewer clean out. We have only lost power once in 9 months at this home, an issue with a substation. All issues were quickly resolved by the warranty department without question. This home is extremely energy efficient. Crews building here have the construction of these homes down to a science. If you examine the home plans may series have the same interior layout for the kitchen, dining room, and living room. The changes between model are in the bedrooms and garage. In my opinion, this makes construction almost assembly line efficient. We are. extremely satisfied with our current home's build quality and overall construction. As with all things man made I know there are some issues with some homes, but the warranty department seems to go above and beyond to correct the issues. |
Don’t expect the quality to be the same as up north like Chicago. No conduit, no copper pipe, crappy windows that fail every few years etc. one nice thing is the concrete block although we had brick up north. Weather is beautiful especially in the winter
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Wow! If ever I buy a cover, I want to buy yours!
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Sorry. Spellcheck error. That should read CYV.
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When I purchased a home in TV, I was told the Stucco homes required pressure washing, and painting every so many years. Also the walls can develop cracks from settling. With the vinyl siding homes and there are many, you just have to wash the siding every couple of years. Note, It is easier to wash siding then stucco. Another I read where a HIP roof is stronger against high winds then a Gable roof. A house with a Gable roof can sustain damage to siding and trim where as the HIP roof directs the wind upward??
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Del Webb
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When discussing home construction and storms some homeowners mention hurricanes that came across TV. I mean really what speed of wind are you talking maybe 50 or at the most 60 mph??? By the time a hurricane enters TV it is most likely down sized to Gale Winds. Up north on the coastal areas like Long Island we have had over 100 mph winds from hurricanes and most likely 98% of the vinyl sided homes sustained NO DAMAGE.
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Not up to the standards that we have in the northern states. Try Top of the World in Ocala
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You won't find better quality homes; my father-in-law a retired carpenter who built 3 of his own homes visited while they were building our home and said "these are well built homes" We also walked through 22 other homes being built on our street (we purchased one of the 1st lots to build on street) daily and was impressed by workmanship
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So, it is really personal preference. You can paint external stucco. Siding, not so much! |
A few things I can add is the work sites are kept very clean and organized.
Most of the workers I meet on site had 20+ years experience, were humble and respectful of their customers and employer. They work closely with the Building inspectors to correct any issues they identify. Construction supervisors regularly tour each other's homes as a second set of eyes and discuss best practices. |
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Thank you John. Very thorough and helpful. What brand of plantation blinds did you choose for your home? It seems like you research things and pick good options. Thanks.
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Very good quality
I think the quality is excellent. Very well insulated (which also blocks a lot of the exterior sound) and a very efficient heat pump.
Any new home has some issues. Contractors respond very quickly, usually the next day. Any place else I’ve lived, getting contractors to fix problems is slow, difficult and stressful. Most people hire a home inspector toward the end of the 1-year warranty period, and they will usually find some things the owner never noticed. Inspectors send their reports directly to The Villages Warranty Department (as well as the owner, of course) and the issues are promptly addressed. |
I bought a vinyl home and have had no problems with it except for a new roof after hurricane Irma 4 years ago. However, if I were buying again I would get a block and stucco home because of the energy use and the noise factor with a vinyl.
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We have lived in old and new constructed houses here. ( I don't like a lot of disruption in my house after having been thru a total remodel, once was enough). I would purchase a newer, previously owned home, in which the owner had already replaced or upgraded many of the features. Lots of newer homes have remodeled kitchens and baths, replaced flooring and fixtures, etc. Looking is fun. Best of luck.
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Simply the best there is no better as reflected by price. It's TV everything is the greatest.
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Contractor built houses do not have the same interior quality unless you are choosing upgrades. That would be true here and up north because I have a house here and in NJ. I also built a very high quality custom home and no contractor can measure up to that. We have been In our house here for over six years and, although I would have put in better quality cabinets and appliances, I can live with what came with the house until they need to be replaced. Stucco seems to be tighter than a vinyl sided so we decided that stucco was for us. My house is not cracked and may need to be painted at some point but every house needs maintenance. If you do not want that there is always the lofts where you get the honor of renting a detached garage for an additional $250 a month.
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We checked out 4 retirement communities and by far everything in TV topped all of them. And my husband is a retired contractor for residential & hotels.
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If you get a Designer series block home, you get to pick many of the interior appointments, appliances, countertops, etc. They are building a new "Street of Dreams" facility in Brownwood where you can pick all this stuff. I believe in every other series of homes, the builder picks.
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We had cracks in our lanai in our designer, and when we ripped up the carpet in the living and dining room, we found serious cracks in the slab that had to be addressed. You could tell the house had shifted by looking at the door from the laundry room into the garage, which used to be shut tighter than a drum, but eventually you could see through to the garage at one point. And I watched a tile in the entrance to the master bedroom slowly crack right to left. I think they're decent houses, but expect some issues. In our CYV, when you flip the light switch to the lanai, the television goes off briefly! But I'm a happy camper. |
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