Fowler Custom Homes

BACKGROUND: I'm a commercial/industrial general contractor of 15+ years. I manage building contracts up to $175,000,000. I wanted you to get an honest review from someone with experience in construction, so you won’t get dragged down the same road as I did. BUDGET: We chose Fowler Custom Homes because a now former friend of mine works for them. We told them our price range was $350,000 - $400,000 with emphasis on $350,000. Our first quote came back at $405,000! We finally settled at $370,000 after quite a few cuts and giving up some wants. FINISHES: We asked for a 4’ front door and was assured that was not a problem. We found that none of their suppliers had a 4' door. It was suggested we go with a 6’ double door. Received a change order for $2,335. "Why are we being charged extra for the door." "There isn’t a 4’ wide door available." Remember they told us, in the beginning, a 4’ wide door was not a problem? COUNTERTOPS: Instructed to go to Midwest Tile. Went in to make selections and find out our budget; “We are not allowed to tell you your budget, that’s between us and Fowler.” Serious? We picked out some quartz and left. Went to A1 Granite and found some very nice quartz slabs. Fowler told us we were over budget. We bought the quartz from A1 and coordinated the installation ourselves. Our deduct from Fowler was $4,650. Seems like a lot, but our island is 30 square feet leaving only 23 square feet to finish the kitchen at that price. Estimate was priced for laminate countertops when we said solid surface during design. PLUMBING FIXTURES: During design we requested a free-standing tub in the master bathroom. Oops…we must have forgot, says the builder. That will be $1,770 extra. We looked at the contract documents to see what faucets were used for budgeting and found they were discontinued. Why would you setup the budget with a faucet that is discontinued? Change orders! Everything was priced as chrome finish when we asked for brushed nickel during design. GARAGE DOORS: They priced openers that had 1-star reviews across multiple websites because it consistently broke down. We asked for more robust openers and of course charged $495 more. Then they installed the wrong garage doors. DECEPTION: Speaking to the superintendent for Fowler, he tells me he is going to throw the inspector off by leaving simple things unfinished so we can get the C of O on-time. How is the inspector going to complete a thorough inspection if you are trying to throw him off? STAIRS: Which stair bullnose would you like us to install? The one that matches the floor... “They don’t offer a bullnose for your floor.” says Nick, project manager. Flooring companies always offer a stair bullnose for their flooring. I call the manufacturer and the bullnose is on backorder. Lied to again! I come back to the house the next day and a random bullnose has been installed. Still not fixed to this day and probably never will be based on emails from Fowler. CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY: Received on the final day of the contract. However, the carpet could not be installed yet because of people working in the house, making a mess. We need to be out of our rental house that weekend. We have to sign an early possession agreement at $70/day until closing. We can’t close on the house until the carpet is installed per our lender. Final bill: $770 in early possession fees. BOTTOMLINE: Shady business practices. Fowler Custom Homes only cares about two things; how many houses they can crank out in a year and how much money they can line their pockets with. The good employees: Kara – Great designer. Treats clients with the utmost respect and does her best to help you choose materials and finishes even though she can't tell you the budget. Chris – New to the company but an amazing craftsman. Works extremely hard and pays very close attention to details. Floyd - Great trim and cabinet carpenter. Everything is perfectly straight! If you would like to discuss my review or ask me any other questions, please drop me a line at NickelandDimeCustomHomes@gmail.com