Steuart Kret

March 13,
Dear ***,
This is the builder's response to complaint ID #***The customers arrived at the community with their real estate agent to view a home under constructionDuring the contract process it was discovered that items pertaining to the
sales price were missingThe customers and realtor were informed of the error, prior to signing the contract, and told of the correct priceThe customers decided they still wanted to purchase the home and signed all corresponding documents with the correct price
As consideration for the mistake the builder gave the customers a $3,option at no costWhen the customer's real estate agent and broker contacted the builder to discuss this contract they were informed, by the builder, that the customers could cancel the ratified contract and receive a full refund of their depositThe real estate agent informed the builder that the customer wanted to continue with the purchase of the new home
Regards,

I purchase my home in July 2012, I have so many issues from cracks in the hope to plumbing issues we complained about, they checked and said it was not an issue, to today that same issue has reared its ugly head, I tried on numerous occasions trying to locate someone anyone from Steuart Kret with no luck, I really need to reach these guys because I can't afford what I know is coming with the home.

Review: They claim they have quality work but so far they've proven me the opposite. Dealing with the sad excuse for a builder has been a headache. There are a select few employees that have been helpful but I'm beyond disappointed. It all started when we were suppose to close in Mid February... That was pushed back several times and resulted in extra stress and expenses for my family and me. We originally wanted two closets in the master-bedroom, they called me back in to inform him that they already purchased the material for the extended bathroom, so we would have to get that instead- there was more expenses. There was suppose to be a double gable on the roof and when I drove by to see the progress, it was a surprise to us that there wasn't one... I spoke with the builder several times about it and it wasn't until after they laid the shingles down and I contacted them again, they added it. They also never disclosed that the basement was flooded prior to closing, and their employee lied to me when I asked if there was previous flooding and he said it never flooded. (I saw signs of water damage). Then, at 1230am on April 30, I heard a strange sound coming from the basement, went to go investigate and found a basement under water. I woke my wife up to try to get everything we could off the floor. We called an emergency plumber for help (more expenses) and he informed us that the pump that is suppose to keep the water from flooding the basement was incorrectly installed. Later on that morning, we contacted the builders who said we would have to contact our home owners insurance even though the flood and damage to our personal property (including a coffee table that I inherited from my grandfather when he passed away) happened because of their "quality" work. Now a customer service manager is telling me that yes it was flooded before and we were lied to but that guy was fired, and even though the flood happened because their company installed the pump incorrectly, we are just out of luck with our personal items!! So they state they have quality work for an affordable price... I disagree.Desired Settlement: Repairs to basement damaged by water, reimbursement for personal belongings damaged by flood caused by builder incorrectly installing pump, and $250 for emergency plumbing services.

Review: This morning (June 6, 2013) the kitchen light fixture crashed on the island in the kitchen of my home. I contacted the builder (Steuart Kret Homes) to let them know what happened and although the warranty on the house has expired, this problem is not a warranty issue, but an issue of negligence which could have cause serious injury or death. The builder did not adhere to the proper building codes. This morning, a licensed electrician assessed the damage and noted that the fixture was not mounted to the studs, had no safety cables, no electrical box and no entrance clap. The builder's representative that I spoke to at around 830 this morning was totally unhelpful. He said that my home warranty had expired and I should contact my home owner's insurance. Once again, this is clearly not a home warranty issue but negligence, and poor workman ship practices in regards to my home. The builder's representative told me that the home had been inspected but a visual inspection would not have detected the problem from the beginning or at anytime. I want the builder to pay for this repair since this should have never happened. In anger, I neglected to get the name of the Steuart Kret Homes representative but the phone number is: ###-###-####.Desired Settlement: I want the builder to pay for the work that has to be done to correct the problem that they created based on negligence and poor workmanship.

Consumer

Response:

[To assist us in bringing this matter to a close, you must give us a reason why you are rejecting the response. If no reason is received your complaint will be closed Administratively Resolved]

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because:

I am sure the builder would not have considered this a warranty issue that had expired, if someone had lost their life due to the builder's negligence and poor workmanship. The problem was not detected during the warranty period, thus the reason it wasn't reported then. The problem was reported when the negligence and poor workmanship were discovered after the warranty period had expired. The responsiblilty is on the builder to make sure their products are safe, regardless of warranty periods, especially when the problem could have caused death or injury. THIS IS NOT A WARRANT ISSUE.

Regards,

Review: I signed a contract for a home that is currently being built by the builder. It was noted that the contract price did not reflect the advertised price and we were charged for the stainless steel appliance package, $10,000 (listed as an included item on the ad). In addition, we were charged an additional $10,000 for the lot premium. I have made numerous attempts t get the builder to honor the price listed on their ad. I have a screenshot of the ad. I would like for the builder to adjust the contract price to reflect the advertised price. I feel that a "bait and switch" tactic was used by the builder.Desired Settlement: I would like for the builder to adjust the contract price to reflect the advertised price. We were overcharged by $20,000.

Business

Response:

March 13, 2014

Dear **. [redacted],

This is the builder's response to complaint ID #[redacted]. The customers arrived at the community with their real estate agent to view a home under construction. During the contract process it was discovered that items pertaining to the sales price were missing. The customers and realtor were informed of the error, prior to signing the contract, and told of the correct price. The customers decided they still wanted to purchase the home and signed all corresponding documents with the correct price.

As consideration for the mistake the builder gave the customers a $3,100 option at no cost. When the customer's real estate agent and broker contacted the builder to discuss this contract they were informed, by the builder, that the customers could cancel the ratified contract and receive a full refund of their deposit. The real estate agent informed the builder that the customer wanted to continue with the purchase of the new home.

Regards,

Review: We purchased a Steuart-Kret home in September 2012, and requested a double wall oven at that time. The double oven was not written into the original contract because The Community Sales Manager informed us that he did not have the pricing readily available. After about a month of going back and forth talking to him by phone and on email, we were finally able to sign the addendum to the contract to include the double wall oven. During the pre-construction conference with the Building Site Manager in March 2013, we were surprised to learn that Steuart-Kret Homes Office had made an error and failed to include the double wall oven in the construction manager's site plans. During the walk through, the Building Site Manager showed us the placement for the single wall oven, in between the range and the pantry. The stairs from the sleeping floor comes down into the kitchen and creates a natural boundary to the family room area. We were told that a double wall oven would be placed on the other side of the stairs, outside of the kitchen. During the walk through, we informed the Building Site Manager that this alternate placement was unacceptable and we requested that the oven be moved to the wall near the range and pantry. In subsequent email communications and several conversations with the Community Sales Manager, we confirmed our unwillingness to accept the alternate placement for the double oven and requested that the ovens be placed, as promised in the original contract, on the wall near the range and pantry. the Community Sales Manager informed us that Steuart-Kret Homes was not willing to acknowledge their error or to move the double wall ovens to our requested location.We visited the Countys Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement Office to review the original plans for our residence, after no one from the Steuart-Kret Homes Office responded to numerous requests for a copy of these plans. Contrary to their representation, the plans do not include any indication of the location for an oven, single or double. The Officer at the permitting office that reviewed the plans, again contrary to their specific representation, stated that the placement of the oven is not necessary for the permits and has no bearing on the structural integrity of the home.We made several attempts to resolve this with the Steuart-Kret Homes Office, to no avail. We were told to contact the construction site manager, but he did not return one call or email regarding this issue. We are reporting Steuart-Kret Homes because we believe that they would not move the oven because they had already ordered the cabinets for a single wall oven. While I appreciate that this may include an additional cost to the company, this was their error. We made our request PRIOR TO the installation of the dry wall, and there was ample time for them to make restitution.Desired Settlement: We would like the Double wall oven placed in the kitchen in the area of the stove or We would like to have the single wall oven placed in the area that we were shown by the project manager and get a refund on what we paid for the double walled oven.

Business

Response:

September 4, 2013

Dear Mr. Gregory:

This letter is in response to your letter dated August 26, 2013 regarding the above-referenced complaint.

The wall oven referenced in the complaint is positioned in the most effective location within the kitchen as provided by the professionals at the cabinet company. An alternate location or the option to move to an alternate location was never available. In our opinion, the purchasers requested location which is in a hallway pass-through presents an obstruction when the oven doors are open.

Thank you for the opportunity to respond and your time.

Sincerely,

Review: We purchased and moved into an a brand new SK home in September 2011. By January 2014, my driveway had completely deteriorated and crumbled. Based on expert opinions from concrete companies, we were told that this was either due to poor air entrainment, inappropriate water to cement ratio, and/or overfinishing the driveway during the construction. Therefore, the product installed was faulty/defective, especially given the fact that concrete should last a lifetime.

We contacted Christian S[redacted], an SK Home customer service representative, in December 2013/January 2014 but we were not provided with a resolution. We were instead told to contact the subcontractor that was used by SK Homes. We contacted the subcontractor, [redacted], but they were unwilling to resolve the issue due to them only providing SK Homes with a one year warranty for their services. However, it is not my responsibility to deal with a subcontractor. SK Homes is the general contractor, it is their responsibility to make sure that subcontractors are performing work appropriately and to make sure that a quality product is delivered to the purchaser of the home.

Furthermore, the deterioration/crumbling of the driveway is due to a defective product given that one portion/slab of my driveway that was redone prior to closing on the new home is in perfect condition. Also, most of the homes in our row of townhomes have the same issue whereas other rows that were built before and after our home are in good condition.

Finally, I sent a formal complaint via email to several individuals from SK Homes several weeks ago but nobody has responded. It appears that they do not have adequate customer service.Desired Settlement: I want SK Homes to replace the concrete driveway.

Review: The builder will not respond to emails or return phone calls regarding a projected closing date on the property. We were repeatedly told that the home would be completed approxiately 120 days from the day construction begin and we could move in by last week in December. Steuart - Kret from the beginning has given the mortgage company a differnt date (last week in January, 2014). This delay in finishing our home has increased the price of the house due to rising interest rates. Uncertainly surrounding the closing has resulted in other out out pocket expenses which include paying for storage associated with our move from [redacted] SC.

We have meet our obligations such as securing an approved mortgage loan, placing a $15,000 deposit in escrow and making numerous trips to the sales because of lost data on the sales contract.Desired Settlement: We want to the closing date on the house.

Business

Response:

December 11, 2013

Dear [redacted]:

In response to the above-referenced complaint, the Agreement of Sale, specifically Section 9(d) and (i) states that Seller will notify Purchaser with a specific date, place and time for settlement and Seller shall complete the House within two years from the Ratification Date of the Agreement. The Purchaser’s ratification date is May 13, 2013. We are well within the timeframe specified. We will notify the purchaser ten days prior to settlement.

9. SETTLEMENT.

(d) Seller and Purchaser hereby agree to make full settlement on the Property in accordance with the

terms hereof, at the date, time and place specified in a notice sent to Purchaser by Seller, the title insurance company, the settlement or escrow company, or the title attorney handling settlement, as the case may be. Said notice shall specify a date for settlement which is at least ten (10) days after the date of notice, and settlement shall occur at the place, date and time so specified if (i) the House is substantially complete on the date specified for settlement, and (ii) a use and occupancy permit for the House has been issued on or before the date specified for settlement. If settlement does not occur on the date specified due to Seller’s failure to satisfy either or both of the conditions described in (i) or (ii) above, and said failure is excused by other terms or provisions hereof, then in such event Seller shall, as soon as possible thereafter, initiate another notice to Purchaser specifying a new date, time and place of settlement on the same terms and conditions herein before provided. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, settlement hereunder shall occur on or before the second anniversary of the Ratification Date.

(i) Seller shall complete the House within two years from the Ratification Date of this Agreement, subject only to delays caused by matters which are legally recognized as defences to contract actions pursuant to the laws of the State of Maryland. If any delays caused by matters which are legally recognized as defences to contract actions pursuant to the laws of the State of Maryland occur, Seller has the right to extend the time of completion, in the event that Seller is unable to deliver the home within two (2) years, subject to the above provisions allowing for extension of time, then Purchaser shall be entitled to all remedies available at law and in equity.

Sincerely

Review: To whom it may concern:I fell in love with Stuert Kret Homes and decided to build in your [redacted] Community. On September 9, 2012, my husband and I placed a contract on Lot #**. We were told that after financial approval, we would meet with the builders and begin the process of building our new home. We've been working with [redacted] and he is GREAT! [redacted] is so very hospitable and eager to answer questions...one in particular, was the timeframe for having the house built. We were told it would take approximately 7 months...so we were looking at moving in sometime around May 2013. Well, it is the end of May 2013, and we have not had a meeting with the builders yet! We've called [redacted] on numerous occasions, we've stopped by to ask [redacted] the status and still - NOTHING! [redacted] has explained to us repeatedly that obtaining a permit is the 'hold up' of our dream coming true. This is unacceptable to me. My husband and I did everything [redacted] requested of us and we are beginning to feel as though you, Stuert Kret, are not holding up to your end of the bargain. What gives?!? Are we supposed to just hang in limbo? Should we start looking elsewhere? We paid a total of $15,000 to start our purchasing process, but we seem to be at a complete standstill.What recourse do we have? Is this the 'Stuert Kret' way of doing business? If so, this leaves a lot to be desired and I am wondering if my husband and I made a mistake by leaving our dreams in your hands.What on earth can be done regarding this permit situation? Is it only affecting us? I feel slighted, in a way, because some of the properties that are being built today, weren't even SOLD when we put down our contract and earnest money in 2012. How long do you expect us to keep hanging on with no 'ending' in sight? How do you plan to turn this awful experience around? And lastly, if you do not have sufficient responses to the questions posed, what are the next steps?Your Disgruntled Buyer,[redacted]Desired Settlement: It would be nice for someone to acknowledge my complaint, for starters. I initially sent out an email on Thursday, May 30th, and to date, I have heard NOTHING!I am beginning to think that Stuert Kret just wants to get your money...and then after that they feel they can string you along without an explanation. This is bad business and I am unappreciative of how I have been treated.