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I just got off the phone with the agent on lot 46 who had NOTHING but great things to say about our product at AR, and then she launched into just how great Robin was at the walk-through. Great job Robin!!!
Laura Gumnick
Posts Tagged ‘Construction’
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
We recently decided that it was time to implement a new Homeowner Orientation program. This new and exciting program has been developed to be a valuable asset to buyers going through the process of purchasing their home. We know that buying a home is one of the most important milestones that you may undertake and want to make your experience as smooth and stress free as possible.
What Is the Homeowner Orientation?
The Homeowner Orientation is meant to take place within one week after mutual agreement on the purchase of a new home. Home buyers will be contacted by our Sales and Marketing Coordinator to set up a 30 minute appointment to meet and discuss the sales and construction process with a Westcott Homes Representative.
At this meeting our representative will review many different items pertaining to the road map of building your new home.
- Buyer’s Resources – helpful resources, tools and tidbits for home buyers to utilize throughout the purchasing and construction process of their home
- FAQ’s Sheet – answers to many of the common questions asked by home buyers
- Selections and Upgrades – Review
- The Purchasing Process – lender information, closing procedures, buyer responsibilities
- The Construction Process – timeline and construction updates, quality inspections, walks, etc.
- Site Visits and Safety Regulations
- Contacts – clarifying the buyer’s point of reference during each stage of the process
- 2-10 Warranty information – quick overview
Our Goal
The intent of the Homeowner Orientation is to provide our buyers with the highest level of customer service and reliability as possible. We understand that the home buying process can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing and that’s why we have created this new program. Your Westcott Homes Representative will remain your point of reference throughout the entire sales and construction process of your new home. This meeting will give you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss concerns and become informed about the Westcott way!
If you have any questions or would like to set up your Homeowner Orientation, please contact our Sales and Marketing Coordinator.
Tags: Buying Process, Construction, Customer Relations, Customer Service, Langley Meadows, May's Ridge, Mountain Ridge, New Homes, Sales Info, Westcott homes
Posted in Buying Process, Construction Process | No Comments »
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Today Westcott Homes made the decision to the switch to EcoBatt Insulation in our new homes. We’ve chosen this “green” product for energy efficiency, sound dampening and (of course) environmentally friendly reasons.
Energy Effiicient and Organic
Often times, even “environmentally friendly” products use a lot of energy to produce (solar panels for instance). Insulation, however, saves 12 times more energy the first year in use than it takes to manufacture it. EcoBatt is made from highly renewable organic materials and does not contain phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors used to make traditional fiberglass insulation. It is made from bio-based materials rather than non-renewable petroleum-based products commonly used in insulation. Instead, EcoBatt is created with sand, one of the world’s most abundant and renewable resources, and post-consumer recycled glass.
Built Green
Westcott Homes is a member in good standing of the Built Green program. Built Green promotes quality construction using environmentally-friendly methods and materials.
Tags: Construction, Energy Efficiency, Green, Langley Meadows, May's Ridge, Mountain Ridge, New Homes, Strong builder, Sustainable, Westcott homes
Posted in Design, Energy Saving Products | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
In an earlier blog article, we discussed our standards versus our competitor’s costly upgrades. As we mentioned before, we want our buyers to move into their new home without a laundry list of items that they need to upgrade, remodel or finish for that matter. That’s why our homes come standard with many of the amenities that buyers cherish. One of the items that we receive inquiries about is our full-yard professional landscaping.
Nothing Left Out
Landscaping is one of the items that our competitors tend to leave out. In-fact many builders will only landscape the backyard for an additional cost and those buyers who do not upgrade are required to finish their landscaping no later than six months after the close of escrow. With Westcott Homes you have this luxury day one; you don’t have to spend your evenings and weekends finishing your backyard.
Shear Details
Having a manicured yard that lasts is the key; that’s why each Westcott home has a unique landscaping plan that encourages the best results for years to come. A number of factors are considered when landscaping the grounds surrounding your new home. The Landscaper and Superintendent take into consideration many different aspects including, drainage, grading and the size of the particular lot.
Here are some pictures of our typical landscaping:
As you can see, each home has a unique landscaping plan that includes the layout that works best with the ground that it is being laid on. You may notice that our plans include flora, sod, bark, and sometimes gravel. On land that has a slope or that sees little to no sunlight, it is known that grass may not thrive therefore, we substitute those areas with a nice outline of gravel or bark. At times city ordinances dictate what plants and trees we can use and/or remove. What we can tell you is that we work hard so that your landscaping is both beautiful and functional for years to come. If you would like to know more about what your landscaping may look like, it is important to speak with your agent about what you should expect.
Tags: Construction, Design, Langley Meadows, Lifestyle, May's Ridge, Mountain Ridge, Options, Standards, Sustainable, Upgrades, Value, Westcott homes
Posted in Design, Lifestyle | No Comments »
Wednesday, June 16th, 2010
When you purchase a new home from Westcott Homes you can rest assured that you are buying a home with the best new home warranty coverage available. Buying a new home will probably be one of the largest investments you ever make and it is certainly one that you will want to protect. With a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty (2-10 HBW), Westcott Homes gives you the peace of mind that only comes from a builder that offers a warranty that not only protects your home but also your wallet.
Protecting You
2-10 HBW requires builders to undergo an extensive screening process, meet strict underwriting guidelines, and to abide by the terms of the program’s agreement. In order to maintain the highest standards of quality in the building industry, 2-10 HBW homes must go through a series of careful inspections at critical stages of construction by qualified independent inspectors.
Coverage Matters
With the 2-10 HBW, you get coverage you can count on:
- 10 full years of structural defect coverage for load-bearing components.
- 2 full years of systems surety coverage against defects in wiring, piping and ductwork in electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilating and mechanical systems.
- 1 full year of surety coverage against defects in workmanship and materials.
- Less stress and time spent related to home repairs.
- A fully-transferable warranty that increases the resale value of your home.
The Better Builder
Savvy homebuyers know that you should only consider buying a home from a builder who offers a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty. By offering a 2-10 HBW we are showing our buyers that we are confident in the quality of our homes and that we will proudly back our homes with an express warranty that is secured by a third-party insurer. This sets us apart from the two-thirds of new homes that only have the builder’s implied warranty obligation which is indefinite and subject to interpretation. At Westcott Homes, our commitment to quality and to you is clear, defined in writing and backed by a third-party warranty insurer.
Please feel free to contact us for more information about our warranty program.
Tags: Construction, Customer Service, Homeowners, New Homes, Sales Info, Standards, Strong builder, Sustainable, Value, Warranty, Westcott homes
Posted in Construction Process, Warranty | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
To ensure a smooth transaction of your new home, you will need to initiate, follow-up & manage numerous meetings & tasks throughout the entire process. Here’s a summary of what some of those things will be:
Point of Purchase
- At this time, you have selected the home & homesite that best fits your needs, completed your purchase & sale and have or are in the process of securing your financing. You should have also set-up an appointment to select your options.
Prior-To & During Construction Process
- Options & Color Selections (if available)
Selections to customize your home will be finalized & you will be responsible to pay for these at this time (save by using our Preferred Lender). It is your responsibility to make timely decisions and payments as option availability is extremely time sensitive. A delay in receiving the deposit could jeopardize one or more of your selections.
Verify that all paperwork is complete & your loan is being processed. Also communicate your closing date & expectations to the loan officer as soon as possible.
You will have two scheduled walk-through’s with a Westcott Homes Representative. The Community Sales Manager will contact your agent to schedule your walk-through appointments. It is your responsibility to attend these walk-through’s & come prepared by reading through the documentation that you have been given.
Close of Escrow
- We are now at the final steps of the purchase process & you will be responsible for submitting any additional closing documents, signing the escrow documents prior to the closing date & submitting your final funds. When Westcott Homes has received confirmation from Escrow that the above items have been completed and the loan has funded and recorded, we will release the keys to your new home! You can now start moving.
Warranty Period
- You are now living in your new home & the warranty period has begun. Similar to a car needing oil changes & tune-ups, a home will need maintenance as well. There are certain items that the warranty will cover which are detailed in your homeowner maintenance manual. It is your responsibility to read this manual and understand the warranty, monitor your warranty expiration dates and submit service requests when needed.
Tags: Buyer Responsibilities, Buying Process, Construction, New Homes, Westcott homes
Posted in Buying Process, Construction Process | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
At Westcott Homes, we are totally committed to quality. Our company, our systems and procedures are all organized around the principles of participating with our customers in achieving our mutual objectives. From the time you purchase your home, through the construction process, to the close of escrow and beyond to the expiration of the various limited warranties, our personnel are here to use their best efforts to assure our relationship is of the highest quality possible.
At Westcott Homes we continually strive to build a zero-defect home. Because we are dealing with a handmade product, we know perfection is not possible. Nonetheless, all of our processes and procedures are focused on continuous improvement toward that zero-defect goal. Westcott Homes is about more than just building a quality home; it’s building a quality relationship with you, our customer. We trust that your satisfaction will ensure your return to us for your future housing needs, and we hope that we have earned your recommendation as your builder of choice to your family, friends and others.
QUALITY INSPECTIONS
With respect to construction quality, your home is going through a series of strict building code inspections to assure you of a fine, quality constructed home. Your home has been built to industry standards from the footings to the finished product. Here are just a few of the dozens of inspections your home will go through:
Preliminary Survey (pre-construction)
The Plot Plan is created to position your home on your homesite and demonstrated to municipal officials that the home’s configuration conforms to all requirements.
Foundation Inspection – The foundation inspection ensures the proper placement of the steel support posts as well as the support straps.
Plumbing Inspection – All piping and drainage are inspected.
Electrical Inspection – This inspection will verify that all electrical elements are in place and functioning properly.
Framing Inspection – Inspects the actual structure of the home to ensure the compliance to strict building codes & specifications.
Sheetrock/Nail Inspection – Verifies the proper installation of the interior walls (sheetrock) and nail placements.
Certificate of Occupancy – It’s official – after passing the various inspections throughout the construction process, your home is now complete and ready for move-in!
Tags: Buying Process, Construction, New Homes, Quality Inspections, Standards, Strong builder, Sustainable, Value, Warranty, Westcott homes
Posted in Construction Process | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
As your home is being constructed, we know that you’ll have plenty of questions about the construction process. The following weekly summary of the construction process should help you to understand what’s being done when, and what comes next. In this way, you’ll be able to enjoy watching your home take shape with a better understanding of the process.
Week 1 Excavation Week 11 Electrical & HVAC Trim, Cabinets
& Hard Surfaces
Week 2 Foundation Week 12 Painting & Millwork
Week 3 Backfill & Utilities Week 13 Plumbing Trim, Mirrors & Shelving
Week 4-6 Framing Week 14 Carpet & Appliance Install
Week 7 Siding & Exterior Paint Week 15 Punch & Cleaning
Week 8 Plumbing , Electrical & Week 16 Final Inspection
HVAC Rough-In
Week 9 Insulation Week 17 Initial Walk-Thru & Orientation
Week 10 Sheetrock Week 18 Final Walk-Thru & Closing
Each step is dependent upon the completion of the preceding steps. Weather and other conditions may cause delays. However, Westcott Homes construction procedures are designed to complete your home in an efficient, controlled manner. Construction will not take place each day, as there must be time built in for inspections, orientations, weather, coordination with other homes, etc.
While we understand that you may want to visit the site to view the process while your home is being built, we must require that you be escorted by the site sales representative during any visit. Insurance regulations are very restrictive on any construction site, and your safety is our greatest concern. Be careful. To avoid confusion and misunderstandings, nearly all information on your home (schedules, specifications, etc.) is coordinated through the office, and your prime contact is the Westcott Homes Site Agent. See our Safety First! posting for more information.
You can also find information about the Construction Timeline of your home by checking our Construction Updates; where we update our buyers weekly on the construction of their home.
Tags: Construction, Construction Rules, Construction Timeline, New Homes, safety, Westcott homes
Posted in Construction Process | No Comments »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Westcott Homes knows how important it is for our buyers to be involved in the construction process of their new home. We have several ways for buyers to stay up-to-date during their construction process including our Construction Updates, our Blog, and our Quality Control and Walk-Thru Processes described below.
QUALITY CHECK
At the completion of your home, our Warranty & Production departments’ partner to perform a quality control check to make sure that the home is complete to our reasonable satisfaction, noting any items that need attention prior to your primary walk.
PRIMARY WALK
We will also go through the home at this time to familiarize you with the operation of your home’s key systems and to explain the location of, maintenance of and emergency procedures relating to these systems. More specifically, the purposes are:
- to familiarize you with the features of your home and to demonstrate the operation of its various systems such as:
heating windows
electrical systems doors
plumbing appliances
- to point out critical maintenance items and tips for your own maintenance program
- to review and coordinate utility switch-over procedures
- to provide all manufacturers warranties for installed appliances
- to review our warranty service program
- to verify that the completed home meets your expectations and Westcott Homes’ demanding quality standard
During the initial walk-thru, you may discover some items requiring additional work or some level of repair. These items, if they arise, should be discussed with the Westcott Homes representative at that time, and arrangements will be made to correct the items prior to close of escrow. Any items requiring attention will be agreed to in writing on the Homeowner Walk-Thru form so that we will have a clear understanding of the work to be done.
TIME REQUIREMENT & SCHEDULING
We expect that it will take approximately 1-1/2 hours for your walk-thru & orientation. A Westcott Homes representative will contact you to schedule a meeting when your home is nearing completion. We will try to schedule a convenient time, but some flexibility on your part will be necessary. Walk-thru appointments are limited to regular business hours Monday through Friday.
FINAL WALK-THRU
The final walk-thru will typically occur the day of or the day before closing (30 minutes). At this time, you will be checking to ensure that any items from your initial walk-thru have been completed.
This is also a good time for questions. You may want to write down any questions you have in advance and bring them to the orientation so that we can be sure to answer them all. It is also a good idea to re-read the warranty information in this manual prior to this meeting so that any and all areas needing clarification can be further discussed.
Tags: Closing Walk, Construction, Customer Relations, New Homes, Primary Walk, Westcott homes
Posted in Construction Process | No Comments »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Alderwood Ridge received it’s final foundation walls late last week. These pics snapped by our Superintendent John Hutchinson show a massive concrete pump truck at work and the foundation walls with concrete forms in place.
Urban infill communities allow municipalities to become a better steward of our land and natural resources by encouraging building density. These “zero lot line” communities, like Alderwood Ridge in Lynnwood, allow buyers to maintain the benefits of a single family detached home while still promoting forward thinking urban growth plans. Technology such as these massive pump trucks allow construction in these tight spaces.
Tags: Alderwood Ridge, Construction, Foundations, Lynnwood
Posted in Alderwood Ridge, Construction Process, Lynnwood | No Comments »
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
Welcome to May’s Ridge. These standards are going to knock your socks off. Check out what comes with every one of these beautiful homes…
All of our spacious plans in this community feature the following list of items as standards:
- Real hardwoods – Your choice of either dark or light woods at no additional cost.
- Stainless steel appliances from Whirlpool
- Full-extension soft close cabinet drawers
- Granite slab counters in the kitchen with your choice of 4 different styles
- White painted millwork packages
- Walk-in closets with coated wire shelves
- Convenient upstairs laundry rooms
- Linen closets
- Durable cem-plank siding
- Attractive full yard professional landscaping
- 2 car garages
- Designer exterior stone accents
Tags: Construction, Design, May's Ridge, Renton
Posted in Design, May's Ridge, Renton | No Comments »
