I”ve had people comment on various forums/blogs that they have seen my comments and some have even said that I must be someone in construction that couldn’t get a job with Mattamy Homes as I was a poor worker. I guess some have seen my problem across the web and wonder, is he the only one?
If you surf the net you will find others who have been involved with not only Mattamy Homes but other builders although, as you saw in my last blog, a google brings out Mattamy more than others for some reason. Some have commented that Mattamy Homes has threatened them with lawsuits and they have backed off. Mattamy has also threatened me with lawsuits and bully boys but, I feel strongly about consumer’s lives being put at risk by shoddy workmanship and little government oversight. I use Mattamy Homes as an example as I can prove my comments are true, not fantasy and therefore something that really happened. Similar to those who receive flowers I also received a present – not at my front door but the basement and it didn’t smell like roses either. That and the other problems mentioned are fact and can be substantiated, although the Town of Oakville has, how we say, buried the report and told me to move on and not bother them.
A visit to the Canadians For Properly Built Homes site shows a very organized group that are bringing out similar things that happened to me, although they don’t name the builder. I do name the builder as I have had only two builders in my life – one good (Townwood Homes) and one bad (Mattamy Homes) and therefore base my comments on fact. You should visit the Canadians for Properly Built Homes as they give good advice and you’ll notice, that they too recommend a house inspector for old and new construction. As well, they point out how government money, yes YOUR tax money has been used in B.C. to repair poor construction. So, when next time you get flowers from the builder, consider that some got poor construction and consider yourself lucky. For those considering the purchase of the largest investment you’ll make, look into a house inspector to ensure you get better service and construction than a bouquet of flowers. Oh, and have it put into your purchase agreement that the house inspector will monitor construction. If the builder is as good as they say, they’ll agree.
Before you provide your “professional”, investigative comments you should maybe put in a little effort and do a some homework. First thing, I do not own nor have I ever lived in a Mattamy home, it’s just at first reading of your comments I found it somewhat interesting because I’ve always heard good things about Mattamy and their homes from the most critical source, the homeowners.
So, from an unbiased position I decided to spend a few minutes and review more “in the know” professionals…example, supplies, trades and more importantly third party reports, documents and industry reviews and even other builders themselves. It seems on all accounts Mattamy rates in most cases the industry leader in every category.
Across Ontario Mattamy develops and builds the most homes, in fact Mattamy in Canada is the #1 home builder. Given the fact you’re always going to have complaints and comments you must look at not only the number but more importantly the percentage of complaints per homes built. Looking at this you quickly determine that they not only have the lowest percentage but deserve their #1 JD Power ranking. I also went to Tarion (new home warranty governing body) and found that even with all those homes built that all those “so called complaints” never even reached conciliation which means Mattamy and the home owner resolved the issues on their own.
I called numerous builders service department saying I had a leak in my basement, over 40% of the time I had to leave a message and in over 50% of the time it took 36 hours or more to have someone even give me a callback. After two weeks I’m still waiting on a few and even when someone called me back they told me someone would call me back to set up an appointment which I’m still waiting on. When I called Mattamy I was immediately in touch with a live person, who took my compliant and called me back in less than 10 minutes with an afternoon service appointment. Only one other builder came close with a next day appointment.
As I mentioned I contacted other builders and believe it or not if I asked them to list the top three builders, Mattamy’s name was always mentioned which seems to say something.
I probably could go on and on but if the sky is blue, the sky is blue, it may be a shade of blue but it’s still blue.
Move on, sell if you don’t like your home, I’m sure you will recoup your investment, if not only because” it’s a Mattamy home”!
Comment by JB — October 18, 2008 @ 8:39 am |
If you read this blog closely you’ll see that the author is actually trying to protect all home buyers with any builder. His experience happens to be with Mattamy and is not unlike a number of other people have had. Just like my case the city is in Mattamy’s pocket (and likely other builders). There is absolutely NO DOUBT about it. There are hundreds of comments on my blog post about Mattamy with people having similar problems.
Comment by Tim A — October 19, 2008 @ 11:40 am |
Both of you, sorry for the delay but I was away for the week.
Tim, appreciate your comments and yes, you are right, I am trying to have legislation/protection put into effect to protect ALL homeowners from ANY builder who tries to put one over. Also, I must say that your blog and the many comments from dissatisfied homeowners was one inspiration to have me do this blog.
JB, I respect your comments and I agree that this blog is not scientific but, I have owned a Mattamy Home and dealt with them personnally. They dealt with me with bulley boys when I tried to have them do things, after they failed to respond in the immediate manner (weeks) that you mention. I am sure other builders are just as guilty. Townwood Homes, my other builder, actually spent a lot of time fixing a leak in the rear wall and thus I am grateful for their better than Mattamy assistance. Other people may not have as great an experience – who knows.
But, the purpose of this blog is to educate the consumer and let them know some methods to protect their investment. Do you think it was alright for Mattamy to sell me my house with the furnace illegally (code) wired to the house next door? Is this normal construction practice to break the law in order to sell? Their behaviour in Ottawa shows a certain arrogance to the consumer.
I mention the bulley boys. How would you feel if you were at a site and handing out pamphlets (not illegal in Canada, last I looked) and 2 bulley boys come from behind the Mattamy sales office and walk towards you with threatening posture after a Mattamy employee tried to take the pamphlets? That was how they tried to settle it but it didn’t work. Then Peter Gilgan comes out, obviously angry, red-faced and looking very threatening. He is also in great shape. Fortunately, he calmed down and there was no violence from him. Would you want the bulley boys to come to you house to dissuade you or your wife to not complain about inaction or, the fact that they sold you the house in an unsafe manner and the sale was illegal? Also, would you want a legal letter threatening you with the power of their large company. No, I think not.
Now, you are totally right that a lot of people are happy with their Mattamy. Mattamy could not be the worst builder and get the coverage they do but, they are guilty of selling houses in an unethical manner using illegal wiring, at least in my case. In Ottawa, they sold houses unethically as they did not have approval, something they should have disclosed and, in Milton, they began construction on land covered in human waste. Now, is that a top class company? What else has gone on without our knowledge?
In the end, I hope that builders will accept you, the potential homeowner, hiring a house inspector to protect your interest. If they build to code and, put in quality products and material, what do they have to worry about? Only fly by night operators fear the monitoring.
Comment by oakvillehomes — October 25, 2008 @ 11:34 am |