Is this normal? Multiple pricing changes with the builder
We are working with a builder who is developing a new ~40 home community. We have never worked with a builder before so we’re new to this process.
Out of the 40 homes only a few are under contract. We appreciate that building a new community has a lot of moving parts but the amount of “miscommunications” with pricing is starting to raise yellow flags to us.
We have only spoken with the builders sales rep but so far the process has been clear as mud. We have been trying to get a quote with full upgrade line by line pricing for over a month. We have received multiple different “full upgrade” pricing sheets, multiple different base prices and multiple different pricing per upgrades all for the same lot and floor plan. Once we finally received a “fully loaded quote” we noted a few upgrade options we did not want and a few discrepancies from prior communications. The sales team then explained the upgrades we did not want were never actually included in the “fully loaded price” and they miscommunicated. Interesting…but okay. A few examples below
- the base price changed 3x by over $10k each time
- the price of sod doubled with no explanation
- upgrades for drop zone cabinets, fencing, indoor fireplaces and pantry / closet shelving all changed from either included to not included
- driveway price changes from basic to pavers that all homes now will have due to HOA. Unclear if people under contract already now need to pay for this?
Our view is none of it is “material” it’s all $5-10k swings one way or the other but I do think it’s a little alarming the sales team cannot communicate very clearly what is and is not included at this point. I also have a hard time understanding how multiple homes are under contract given our process has been less than ideal / clear in what we are purchasing.
Do you think the sales team here is trying to take advantage of the fact we’re first time home buyers and increase the comps in the neighborhood? Or, are new developments like this which are early on just constantly moving and changing given the construction process?