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People who have built homes m,
So, DH and I are trying to decide between 2 builders, who each have a different house plan that we like. They are both putting together quotes for us. Builder A has a great plan, and is super reasonably priced. However, DH went to school with the person that you have to deal with as you are building the house, and doesn?t really like him (thinks he is a ?douche? LOL). Builder B also has a great plan, but he is a bit more ?high end?, so we aren?t sure until we get the quote if we want to spend as much money as he is going to want to build the house. There are things for sure we will want to add to Builder A?s quote, and things we could probably live without in Builder B?s plan.
We get a really good feel for Builder B ? he takes the approach when preparing the quote of asking you 5 zillion questions, so his quote can be as complete as possible to eliminate extras. He is really great to deal with. Builder A has a bit more of a cookie cutter approach. Anyways, Builder B gave us a copy of his plan to scrutinize/review/look over so we can decide what, if any, changes we would want to the floor plan before we finalize a quote, so we can get a fair quote. We decided that we would really like to have a copy of Builder A?s plan, so we can compare the room sizes, decide if there is anything we want to change about Builder A?s plan. We have walked through a completed, smaller version of Builder A?s plan and noted the differences, but we haven?t actually been given a copy of the plan.
We have met with several other builders in the past (who we have since ruled out) and they too were willing to give us a copy of their plans (to which we promised to not circulate them)
We are going away next week, and were hoping to make a decision while we were gone. DH called Builder A and asked if we could get a copy of the plan so we can evaluate it versus the other plans that we have and make a decision. According to the ?douche?, they have a ?strict policy? that they do not give out their plans. Long story short, they don?t want us to have a copy of the plan until we sign a contract. But, once we?ve signed a contract, if we want changes to the floor plan (say, more a wall out a few feet or whatever), the changes will be ?extras? and we don?t like the idea of signing a contract, but it not being for the EXACT house we want to build.
Obviously there will always be extras, but we want to minimize them as much as possible, as does Builder B. Builder A has just broken ground on a house based on the exact plan we are looking at, and it will be framed in a month, so he doesn?t? think we NEED copies of the plans, because we can walk through the actual model. I am a visual person though, and I like looking at the plans and thinking about if I move this wall, what does it do to the second floor, can we shift things around, etc. Anyways, DH is PISSED because he can tell already that Builder A is going to be much harder to deal with. We know that building with Builder A, even if we upgrade some things, will still be cheaper than building with Builder B, but we can tell that there will be a lot more headaches. It is nice that we have been able to actually walk through a similar version of Builder A?s home, while Builder B, we have only seen paper plans, so admittedly, it can be difficult to visualize exactly what some of the room sizes will be like (compared to Builder A?s home, where we have actually seen the size of the rooms)
Builder A will SHOW us the plans again, but to me it just isn?t the same as being able to look at them for hours on end yourself and discuss them privately. I guess my question is, how hard would you push to get a copy of the plans from Builder A. We absolutely, 100% would not show the plans to another builder and would sign something to that effect. We are supposed to meet with him in the next couple of days once he finishes the quote, and we were thinking of saying something along the lines of ?We understand that you have a strict policy on not giving out your plans, and we understand your concerns. However, other builders HAVE given us their plans, and to be perfectly honest, it will put you at a significant disadvantage in our decision if you can?t provide us with a copy?
Would you be willing to sign a contract to build if you haven?t had a chance to really scrutinize the plans and make changes before hand?
Re: People who have built homes m,
I have never actually built a house but have looked at lots when I was going to go down that route (got close to signing). Not once did a builder not willingly give up their plans. I mean they have them sitting there for you to take. It has all the specs on it and outlines different options with the house (elevation A, B, C etc). I have also always been able to talk to the builder about costs of moving walls, making bedroom 3 into bedroom 3 and 4 etc etc.
So needless to say I would be hesitant to do anything with Builder A. I certainly would not sign any contract with them.
If the price difference is under $50,000 then builder B hands down.
We've never gotten detailed blue print plans but we could look at each floor and had things like the room dimensions, cupboard locations, fireplace, etc to take home. (I'm assuming that's what you mean) and I find it odd they won't give you that much. Also, they should be able to tell you how much it costs to add square footage or move a room without a contract. Even with a cookie cutter, they know.