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“The Number One Problem with Builders” by Scott M Kilpatrick
March 24, 2010 by · Leave a Comment
In may 1991, when I started Affordable Quality Homes, after many years of working for other builders, there was one BIG problem that I could see in the home building industry.
And that was, most builders either couldn’t, or wouldn’t, provide home buyers with a complete “start-to-finish-one-stop-shop” service.
It was so frustrating…if you wanted floor coverings, the Builder would write you a list of carpet companies. If you wanted landscaping or turf, the Builder would recommend a few landscapers. In reality, you were working for the Builder. It didn’t seem like anything was included.
…for example the curtains, light shades, ceiling fans, clothes hoist, drive way or even screens…they made you take care of yourself.
Now the BIG PROBLEM with this is that it means that it’s all too easy for something to get overlooked…and that can mean both delays and extra expense and complications.
It seemed like everything was extra! You knew whenever the Builder called you, there was more bad news you didn’t budget for.
Most people were prepared to pay $20,000 more for an existing older home. It wasn’t what you wanted, and it was high in maintenance, but at least you could see exactly what you were getting.
AT LAST…AFTER ALL OF THESE YEARS OF ABUSE, A COMPANY THAT KNOWS HOW MUCH YOU ARE WORTH…
Totally embarrassed by the treatment Builders were giving customers, I wanted to be different. I started a company that would focus on you the customer and try to make it so easy, that I could count on you to refer others after moving in. I wanted Affordable Quality Homes to be known as the “One-Stop-Shop of new homes with the best guarantee and after sales service in Central Queensland”.
DID YOU KNOW… We had to pay a price though… we upset all of the other Builders in town because they wanted us to be like them. I had upset so many Builders in CQ, that when we applied to become a Queensland Master Builder, our application was rejected on the grounds of keeping the peace with their members. We were also black listed by suppliers and trades that were loyal to some of the old Builders. Where are they now? Only the Builders that knew the value of a customer in the 90’s are still here. (Out of the 219 Builders listed in the 1992 yellow pages, only 5 are still in business).
We want to provide you with a “One Stop Shop” where you are in total control. You choose exactly how you want things and what’s included…so you will not need to fear letting your loved ones down.
…so that when everything is ready, all you have to do is collect the keys and move in, enjoying your time off.