Misty Williams, real estate reporter for the East Valley Tribune, digs up some dirt on Toll Brothers. ( Update- the link was removed by the Trib ) Seems Toll Brothers, the self proclaimed “America’s Luxury Home Builder” has more than one Power Ranch resident a little peeved. Too many defects in new homes and poor response time seems to be the issue.
Nearly two years later, he still has unresolved issues with the workmanship, and he isn’t alone. Other neighbors in the Toll subdivision have similar complaints. They say Toll is a good company. But some believe the frenzied pace of construction during the housing boom led to shoddy workmanship as builders struggled to find enough qualified laborers to meet demand — a theory industry observers say is likely true in some cases.
Shoddy workmanship, combined with a lack of prudent and timely inspections would be my take on it…
I’ve talked to Misty a few times. She’s a pretty sharp young lady and has pulled together some interesting stats on this article. Such as:
Since April 2004, Gilbert inspection company Tony Hecht Enterprises has inspected at least 57 Toll homes Valleywide, including 11 in Power Ranch. Toll isn’t a bad builder, but its homes seem to have more defects than those of other builders, said Hecht, whose company inspected 1,600 to 1,800 homes last year.
At an average size of 4,130 square feet, the Toll homes Hecht has inspected have averaged 61.5 defects. Other similar-sized homes have closer to 49 problems, he said. The number of defects in the Power Ranch homes ranged from 52 to 144.
Hecht recently added a 20 percent surcharge for checking Toll homes because inspections take so much longer than what’s typical.
Read the entire article. ( *update – the link was removed by the Trib. ) We’ve received good reports from people buying Toll Brothers homes. But every builder has their share of disgruntled clients. ALWAYS inspect a new build home. You’d be surprised how many people think that since it’s new, it doesn’t need an inspection… Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy was started by Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... he liked to say...
I won't say anything about any particular builder, but it is obvious that what a builder builds one place may not be the same product they build in other markets. With many relos coming into Austin, it is hard to help folks understand that without coming right out and saying it. I spend a lot of times providing links to assist buyers learn for themselves so they can make the educated choice on their own. Buyer beware… Sad but true.
Nice blog, I linked to an article you did some time ago, that's how I found it. On topic – Every house I've looked at were overpriced and crummy quality, especially the new ones. Check out Housing PANLICK. Muahaha!!
'Hecht recently added a 20 percent surcharge for checking Toll homes because inspections take so much longer than what’s typical'.
Ouch!
Couldn't agree more that the quality of a builder is very locally dependent. I'm sure it boils down to local and on-site management, as well as the skills of the craftsmen involved. And that can vary significantly, probably even in the same market.
Well, even here where contractors are stretched very thin, it's a wonder we have any starts at all. I've been impressed at the quality I'm still seeing. What's been most interesting is that it seems to be the second thought subdivisions – where land was purchased during the swell that I see a difference in quality. A walk-thru on a new home becomes a day long nightmare etc… I don't know what the answer is but I've told some buuilders they might consider slowing down and doing things right. I've had a couple of great responces from them and have seen them do it, while others ignored me as I ignore them.
Toll built me a crap house in Rhode Island as well. They will only rely to me when I threaten lawsuits. Clearly, a poorly run company who hires the bottom-of-the-barrel for project managment.
My project manager, Charlie Roberts, wouldn't know the difference between a 2×4 and a broom up his ^%^*()(.
Thanks for the screwing, Toll. Oh, how I love to watch your stock tumble>
I own a house in Grayhawk that got caught in the Edmunds-Toll transition. (I originally committed to Edmunds and ended up with Toll Brothers). We have the following issues that Toll completely ignores us on.
1. Huge cracks in drywall ceilings and walls and most corners of every opening. Some have been patched more than once. Some run the length of rooms.
2. Windows improperly flashed causing them to pull away from drywall on the inside.
3. Also, moisture around windows has caused the baseboards to pull away from the walls below the windows.
These are the items that we have been trying to get addressed for over a year.
About 4 years ago my Family purchased a Model Home from Toll Brothers, in Arizona. We have had a lot of problems with the home consisting of construction problems and other problems that have come about. We have had a list 3 pages long for 4 years of things that Toll needs to fix in our home. We were told that all we needed to do was let them know what we needed done and they would help. About 2 years ago after faxing and mailing and calling about our 108 problems needing fixed, Toll sent a handyman who dealt with grout to fix our 3300 square foot slate tile floor that has thousands of cracks, and problems. The man worked for 1/2 hour and said he had no idea that this was going to be a problem that would need an entire crew, he would have to reschedule with a twelve man team. We never heard from him again!!!!
We have faxed and mailed Toll continuously for 4 years, and nothing has been done.
Water leaking problems
Foundation problems
Basically all appliances, and furniture, extras included in model where fakes…
Including a video security system with main components removed.
All electrical included in sale – not one was hooked up or even wired.
Slate floor was sealed around furniture, rugs, and plants.
They tried a week before we moved in to replace some tiles that had been damaged by a fountain, and could not find a match and left without saying or sealing anything.
I could go on and on, and have pictures to back it all up.
We live in Arizona and have major scorpion problems, due to our house not being sealed well. You can stick two fingers underneath our ($6000) glass front entry doors! In the summer because of wetness in our walls we have 2 months of uncontrollable springtails that produce in the millions, driving the kids in our room because the problem resides only on one side of the house.
For only being 5 years old the stairs should not be seperating from the walls, and cracks in every room of the 6800 SQF all over the walls and baseboards seperating by inches from the walls!
Sorry to waste any time but thought maybe some of my info could help or maybe you could give some advice for me of what to do, besides move!! Thanks for letting me vent,
Pictures: (May I remind you this house has only been lived in for four years.
Nails coming out of entry way wall.
Walls cracking around stairway, and separating.
Corner of Master shower, deteriorated.
Baseboard coming apart from wall.
Jacuzzi tub cracking, also tub was installed with pipes running wrong way, drainage does not occur, and have never been able to use the jets, also they grout the slate stone around permanently, so major work would have to be done just to get to the mechanical parts of the tub.
In the Model before we moved in a fountain caused the floor to be extensively damaged (in corner where plant is). They replaced the floor, with what they said was matching tile!!!!!
, – The kitchen stove cover was raised up and not set correctly to stovetop.—-
-You can easily see the gap, in home tour there was a huge plant hiding this feature!
We complained most windows were not shutting and locking, so they sent out a guy – who instead of fixing the problem, took the window lock out to his truck and filed the lock to fit!!! You can see the unpainted part of lock!!
The house has 3,000 Sqr. Feet of Slate stone, Toll sealed the floor, but failed to seal under rugs, pots, washers, dryers, anything heavy!!
Please let me know of anything we can persue with you and others, in an obvious problem with a MAJOR HOME BUILDER!
Thanks,
Crystal
Gilbert Arizona
Crystal wrote: “Sorry to waste any time but thought maybe some of my info could help or maybe you could give some advice for me of what to do, besides move!! Thanks for letting me vent”
Not wasting time Crystal, and vent here anytime….
I don’t know what to say other than, “Wow”. Personally, it sounds to me like it’s time to consult an attorney… Another possibility would be to contact one of the local news channel “invesitgator” types of reporters. I know Channel 5 (CBS) takes on consumer issues sometimes. Given the current housing market, they might find it a compelling story…
keep us posted!
America’s Luxury Home Builder thinks it is above the law and the law may allow them to think they are but the one they have to answer too is their maker, so all the bad they have committed on the public will come back and bite them in the butt,
I brought from America’s Luxury Home Builder and i would not buy another one from them with their money.
I suggest if buying from America’s Luxury Home Builder check your house for mold, and if thinking about buying from them if mold is in their arbitration clause do not sign it. This gives them free range to take your money and not produce the product that the purpose of what the contract was for. You may close and move in and find mold in the home that has been know to cause astma or induce astma attacks or allergic reactions, or people that may have medical problems such as heart issues, etc…
Research the net before buying from America’ Luxury HOme Builder
Our Toll Brothers home has been a big disappointment. Toll Brothers quality is poor and their service is terrible.
The company was more than 3 months late delivering the house. They had 15 months and took over 18. When we took possession, there were numerous problems including toilets that sprayed water out the sides, unconnected electrical power, and the wrong tiles and grout. I won't list all of the other issues both major and minor.
We've been in the home over a year now. Whenever it rains, we still get water coming through the door going out of the garage. They've been asked to repair this many times. They have attempted it on several occasions after much prodding on our part.
When we report an issue, we're lucky if someone comes out in three weeks to even look at it. It's a miracle if someone comes out to actually fix the issue. Usually, they schedule and don't show up, or they show up and don't know how to fix the problem.
Do yourself a favor and don't buy a home from Toll Brothers.
HOW DOES TOLL BROTHERS GET AWAY WITH THIS?Please View & Send This Link To Everyone To Help Us!! You Won't Believe….. Please, Please write to Robert Toll, President of Toll Brothers, &TELL Him What You Think Of Toll Brothers!! [email protected]Watch You Tubehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdiR-GVfV4Q <a href="http://www.HowTollDestroyedOurLives.com” target=”_blank”>www.HowTollDestroyedOurLives.com