Mattamy Homes – how do they shape up with other builders?

I did my own JD Powers style survey today but, before you look at the results, I must admit they are not as scientific as what JD Powers would have done (or expected that they did) but, I found the results interesting.

I did a google search on “company name PROBLEMS”.   I.E. Mattamy problems.  If I got no response from google (I did for Mattamy), I would then add the word “builder”, especially if I got things totally unconnected to the builder in my first search.  These results are only on a 1 page search and the numbers do not reflect multiple problems discussed in a forum, just the one hit on the forum.

Based on this, I got the following results:

1. Mattamy            4
2. Ballantry            1
3. Minto                 1
4. Brookfield          1
5. Arista                 1
6. Great Gulf          0
7. Daniels Group    0

It is interesting that the company that got the highest award from JD Powers for customer satisfaction had the largest number of problem entries on Google when I searched builders.  For the record, I did not include any complaint that I might have posted.

As you can see more than Mattamy Homes do have problems and therefore I would still consider hiring a house inspector to monitor construction.  Just that with some builders with more problems, you might get more value from hiring the house inspector.

Mattamy Homes may be at the top – but at what cost to the consumer?

I have been accused of being biased towards Mattamy Homes based on what I have written.  Well, in the real world, you have to be careful to only state the truth.  You can’t be sued for the truth and the fact Mattamy Homes has allowed this blog to continue, only shows that it is the truth.  I mean, in the early days, they threatened to sue me and my family, sent a couple of bully boys to scare me off and might have even called the police to make a phoney call about me causing congestion (police arrived, saw I wasn’t doing anything but only hinted at the complainant – a look towards the Mattamy building).  And, I guess they feel that my little voice in the media really doesn’t amount to anything considering the amount of money they spread around to ensure they get top good news stories.  The Town of Oakville seems to forget they were part of the illegal (code) wiring part of the sale and have asked me to move on and forget they did this.  So much for government accountability.

Well, just to show you that I am fair, I will print the list that JD Powers put out regarding builders.  Just remember to read it with a grain of salt as the winner is guilty of illegal and unethical practices and won top award.  That either means the others must be really bad or, just don’t spread their money around right.  A  good honest and ethical builder would stand by their product and let you hire a house inspector to monitor the construction and protect your rather large investment.  Those that won’t allow you to put this in the contract – well, your on your own because the local government won’t necessarily cover you and there is no way you can tell code was followed once the walls are up and drywalled.    If you have money to burn later in repairs, forego the house inspector and invest in expensive upgrades – maybe they will help you dump the shack once you realize your mistake in not hiring a house inspector.

J.D. Power and Associates Reports: Mattamy Homes Ranks Highest in Satisfying New-Home Buyers in the Greater Toronto Area For a Third Consecutive Year

(scores are on a 1,000 point scale):
Mattamy: 893
Tribute: 837
Brookfield: 791
Arista: 781
Ballantry: 779
Great Gulf: 756
Baywood: 755
Monarch: 743
GTA Market Average: 710
Paradise: 690
Fieldgate: 680
Aspen Ridge: 678
Greenpark: 657
Townwood: 630
Century Grove: 555
Remington: 546
Fernbrook: 543
Sundail: 543
H&R: 510
Conservatory Group: 500
Lebovic: 418