Jewell Homes

Yes,
all the executed changes from the electrical walkthrough are listed in the “Electrical
Changes.pdf” document previous attached. The second switch in the Bonus Room
and island outlet were not altered from our Plans and Contract with Jewell
Homes. Do you have a record of any additional electrical changes? If not, these
items remain in the Contract between Jewell Homes and the Homeowners and the
issue does not involve the Electrician’s Contract with Jewell Homes which I
have never seen.

If you're considering a home construction project in southeastern Wisconsin I highly recommend contacting [redacted] of Jewell Homes. The individualized attention you receive for your project needs is second to none. In person meetings, e-mails, phone calls, texts... Jewell Homes stands ready to help you in any way they can. They have a wide catalog of home design ideas to meet your needs, or you can bring your own ideas to them that they can turn into a reality. If you're near the Muskego, WI area it's not difficult to find a "Jewell Homes" sign with a beautiful home being built behind it. Check them out; they're highly recommended!

Review: My wife and I contracted with Jewell Homes (Jewell) to build our new home and manage the project. The project did not go smoothly and [redacted]) did not put in the onsite time to check for quality and properly manage the project. Several Subcontractors mentioned the fact to me that [redacted] was never onsite unless I made a specific meeting with him, but he would frequent the other projects the Subcontractors were working on for Jewell. This contributed heavily to problem at hand as well as many other issues throughout the project.

Nearing the end of the project, it was discovered that a tiled half-wall at the entrance to our shower in the Master Bath per plan was missing. Jewell attempted to have us pay them additional monies to install a glass shower. We explained that the shower is a walk-in and needs to have the tiled half-wall per plan. Jewell stated that the Carpenter told Jewell that I verbally told the Carpenter to not install the half-wall. This is not true and the Carpenter is likely trying to cover themselves. I asked Jewell to provide my half-wall change request in writing, similar to a previous issue with Jewell not installing our deck stairs because I did not have the deck stair discussion in writing from the start of the project, but Jewell could not.

The day before Closing, Jewell and I met at our home. [redacted] stated that the half-wall would only be built if we paid Jewell past change order fees for items previously determined not to be billable change orders amounting to approximately $2,500. [redacted] then stated the we bring our check book to Closing then next to pay ALL overages or we would not be given the keys to our home. We went to Final Closing the next day (April 1st, 2015), and paid Jewell the overages amount they asked for with the final draw amounting to $5,775.50. We were given our keys and told the punch list items would be finished ASAP. It is now September 6th, 2015 and we are still waiting for the punch list items to be addressed.

On April 9th, 2015 we were emailed an attachment that was an invoice from Jewell for additional money, $2,817.51. I don't know how our final overage payment or the previous overage payments were dispersed, but we were paid in full and we should not be getting additional payment demands from Jewell. Accounting was an issue throughout the project and there is little to no transparency to see how the overage money is being used. We have all lien waivers signed and have refinanced the home, performing a title search showing no liens withheld. We paid in-full at closing and expect Jewell to honor their warranty and complete the punch list. However, Jewell is telling us they will not complete our punch list until we pay them this additional money.

The punch list is extensive and includes some of the following:

-Tiled half-wall in shower per plan.

-Draintile drain to daylight not installed properly.

-Exterior door(s) not installed properly.

-Shinny tin-colored roof flashing installed instead of color-matched flashing per specs.

-Damaged siding from improper support.

-Ground breaker installed at different levels and not matching up at corners.

-Grading sloped towards the foundation wall.

-Damaged veneer on woodwork and many interior doors.

-Stains on concrete.

-Damaged exterior stone work.

-One set of dishwasher door springs thrown away.

-Loose hardware.

-Fix holes in fireplace mantle piece.

-Clean up construction garage around exterior of home.

-Repair pothole near culvert.

-Lower Foyer light to proper height.

-Recess electrical wiring from damaged joist in basement.

-Finish final 2 of 8 coaxial wires.

-Install island outlet in Kitchen per plan.

-Add double switch for fan wire in Bonus Room.

-Fix damage drywall texture.Desired Settlement: We would like Jewell to honor their warranty and complete the punch list for our home.

Business

Response:

Mr. [redacted] entered into the standard MBA Home ConstructionContract on November 13, 2013. I will reference several items on this contractthroughout this letter, in the order in which they were brought up by Mr.[redacted].Page 8, section 11 paragraph 3 states that “buyeragrees not to issue any instructions, or otherwise interfere with, builderssubcontractors and suppliers, but will advise the builder of any issues relatedto the subcontractors’ and suppliers’ performance of the work.” Mr. [redacted] onseveral occasions asked subcontractors either to do work outside of thecontract or to do “side jobs”. One such item was the half wall in the masterbathroom. Jewell Homes does several walk throughs on site at which time thiscould have been brought up. Mr. [redacted] requested that the half wall be addedback in on the final walk through, after all tile etc. was completed.Page 6, section 8, paragraph 3. “Buyer will paya change processing charge of $250 for each change order issued by the builder.”In good faith we work with customers who have excessive change orders and oftentime do not charge them the $250 fee per contract. When Mr. [redacted] demandedthat we install the half wall I told him that I would, but would have to chargehim the $250 change order fee on roughly 10 items. Since I could not prove thatthe carpenter was told not to install the half wall in the bath by Mr. [redacted],and due to Mr. [redacted]s unreasonable timing of his demand, I was forced torevert back to the written agreement between us and gave Mr. [redacted] thecompromise of the situation spelled out.Page 5, Section B paragraph 3. “Buyer must make payment in full of thecontract price, as adjusted by all change orders, before buyer may takeoccupancy of the home. Mr. [redacted] was under a time crunch to get moved intohis new home. I gave him the outline of our closing meeting, reminding him thatall bills will need to be paid.Jewell Homes uses a software program calledCo-Construct which clearly outlines what overages there are and where themonies are being allocated. Because of a lot of confusion due to the difficultyof the customer there was a missed fee from the flooring supplier. Mr. [redacted]was trying to pay for his flooring overages on his own, outside the scope ofthe project, and to the best of my knowledge that had been done since we weretired of the battles back and forth. Mr. [redacted] went through the final closeout accounting, noting that the upcharge for flooring was not on there, andJewell Homes received the overage bill several days after the closing. When webrought this to Mr. [redacted]s attention, he had the attitude of too bad so sad.At that point I directed all of my subcontractors to not set foot on thejobsite until we were paid in full for our services. Prior to Jewell Homesbeing denied payment from Mr. [redacted], we were sending subcontractors in tocomplete the work as per contract. Jewell Homes did pay the subcontractor infull, that is why there are no outstanding liens on Mr. [redacted]s home.Page 9, section 14. “Based upon this inspection,a written punchlist will be prepared by the builder and buyer identifying itemsthat require touch up, repair and completion to conform to the requirements ofthe plans and specifications and this contract” I have a copy of the punch listand will address the issues that Mr. [redacted] claims are outstanding These punchlists are created so that the buyer and builder know what needs to be fixedprior to the buyer moving into the home. Some of the additional items mostlikely occurred after the buyer moved into the home due to buyer negligence:Tile half wall: previously discussed undernumber 1Drain to daylight: installed per specificationsExterior doors: On agreed upon punchlistGalvanized (shiny) flashing: Not on punch list,standard practiceDamaged siding: Not on punchlistGround breaker problems: not on punchlistGrading sloped towards house: Not on punchlist.As always rough grading is sloped away from the home at time of closing,however settling does occur for several years and per the contract, finalgrading is the responsibility of the buyer.Damaged veneer: Not on punchlistStains on concrete: added to punchlist by buyerafter occupancyDamaged exterior stone work: not on punch listDishwasher door springs thrown away: not onpunch listLoose hardware: not on punch listFix holes in fireplace: on punch list andaccepted Clean up construction garbage: This wascompleted twice prior to move in and once after move it. It is not the buildersresponsibility to clean up the buyers yard after occupancyRepair pothole near culvert: This again wasdiscussed several times between the buyer and the builder. Builder can repairthe weak asphalt that was damaged, however it will be at the buyers expense perthe contract.Lower foyer light: will be completed upon finalpaymentRecess electrical wiring: completed upon finalpaymentFinish 2 or 8 coaxial wires: ??? not sure whatthis is, not on punch listInstall island outlet: relocated per buyerAdd double switch in bonus room: credit given tobuyer per walkthrough with buyerFix drywall texture: not on punchlist,previously repaired drywall areasMr. [redacted] entered into the standard MBA Home ConstructionContract on November 13, 2013. I will reference several items on this contractthroughout this letter, in the order in which they were brought up by Mr.[redacted].1. Page 8, section 11 paragraph 3 states that “buyeragrees not to issue any instructions, or otherwise interfere with, builderssubcontractors and suppliers, but will advise the builder of any issues relatedto the subcontractors’ and suppliers’ performance of the work.” Mr. [redacted] onseveral occasions asked subcontractors either to do work outside of thecontract or to do “side jobs”. One such item was the half wall in the masterbathroom. Jewell Homes does several walk throughs on site at which time thiscould have been brought up. Mr. [redacted] requested that the half wall be addedback in on the final walk through, after all tile etc. was completed.2. Page 6, section 8, paragraph 3. “Buyer will paya change processing charge of $250 for each change order issued by the builder.”In good faith we work with customers who have excessive change orders and oftentime do not charge them the $250 fee per contract. When Mr. [redacted] demandedthat we install the half wall I told him that I would, but would have to chargehim the $250 change order fee on roughly 10 items. Since I could not prove thatthe carpenter was told not to install the half wall in the bath by Mr. [redacted],and due to Mr. [redacted]s unreasonable timing of his demand, I was forced torevert back to the written agreement between us and gave Mr. [redacted] thecompromise of the situation spelled out.3. Page 5, Section B paragraph 3. “Buyer must make payment in full of thecontract price, as adjusted by all change orders, before buyer may takeoccupancy of the home. Mr. [redacted] was under a time crunch to get moved intohis new home. I gave him the outline of our closing meeting, reminding him thatall bills will need to be paid.4. Jewell Homes uses a software program calledCo-Construct which clearly outlines what overages there are and where themonies are being allocated. Because of a lot of confusion due to the difficultyof the customer there was a missed fee from the flooring supplier. Mr. [redacted]was trying to pay for his flooring overages on his own, outside the scope ofthe project, and to the best of my knowledge that had been done since we weretired of the battles back and forth. Mr. [redacted] went through the final closeout accounting, noting that the upcharge for flooring was not on there, andJewell Homes received the overage bill several days after the closing. When webrought this to Mr. [redacted]s attention, he had the attitude of too bad so sad.At that point I directed all of my subcontractors to not set foot on thejobsite until we were paid in full for our services. Prior to Jewell Homesbeing denied payment from Mr. [redacted], we were sending subcontractors in tocomplete the work as per contract. Jewell Homes did pay the subcontractor infull, that is why there are no outstanding liens on Mr. [redacted]s home.Page 9, section 14. “Based upon this inspection,a written punchlist will be prepared by the builder and buyer identifying itemsthat require touch up, repair and completion to conform to the requirements ofthe plans and specifications and this contract” I have a copy of the punch listand will address the issues that Mr. [redacted] claims are outstanding These punchlists are created so that the buyer and builder know what needs to be fixedprior to the buyer moving into the home. Some of the additional items most likely occurred after the buyermoved into the home due to buyer negligence:Tile half wall: previously discussed under number 1Drain to daylight: installed per specificationsExterior doors: On agreed upon punchlistGalvanized (shiny) flashing: Not on punch list, standard practiceDamaged siding: Not on punchlistGround breaker problems: not on punchlistGrading sloped towards house: Not on punchlist.As always rough grading is sloped away from the home at time of closing, however settling does occur for several years and per the contract, finalgrading is the responsibility of the buyer.Damaged veneer: Not on punchlistStains on concrete: added to punchlist by buyer after occupancyDamaged exterior stone work: not on punch listDishwasher door springs thrown away: not on punch listLoose hardware: not on punch listFix holes in fireplace: on punch list and accepted Clean up construction garbage: This was completed twice prior to move in and once after move it. It is not the buildersresponsibility to clean up the buyers yard after occupancyRepair pothole near culvert: This again was discussed several times between the buyer and the builder. Builder can repairthe weak asphalt that was damaged, however it will be at the buyers expense per the contract Lower foyer light: will be completed upon final paymentRecess electrical wiring: completed upon final payment Finish 2 or 8 coaxial wires: ??? not sure what this is, not on punch list Install island outlet: relocated per buyerAdd double switch in bonus room: credit given to buyer per walkthrough with buyerFix drywall texture: not on punchlist,previously repaired drywall areasJewell Homes main source of business is through referrals.We strive to make every customer happy and work with them through problems.However, in some instances customers are unreasonable, difficult to work with,and try to deceive people and make for an unsatisfactory condition to work in.This happens to be the case here.

Consumer

Response:

Yes,

all the executed changes from the electrical walkthrough are listed in the “Electrical

Changes.pdf” document previous attached. The second switch in the Bonus Room

and island outlet were not altered from our Plans and Contract with Jewell

Homes. Do you have a record of any additional electrical changes? If not, these

items remain in the Contract between Jewell Homes and the Homeowners and the

issue does not involve the Electrician’s Contract with Jewell Homes which I

have never seen.

Business

Response:

attached is the revised punch list agreement

My experience with this builder was very poor. He took what should have been a great experience and made home building a nightmare for us. In my opinion communication with this builder was very poor, which only makes matters worse. John [redacted] is very convincing to get a signed contract but thats where it ends.