Hello,
My sister is going to move to Akron (from Canada), so I have a few questions from you guys. First – is there a builder you can recommend in that area? She went to see some model homes and she mentioned she loved a few houses in a new subdivision and they were all built by Ryan Homes. Apparently this is a nation-wide builder “who focuses on quality”? My question is – is this a good builder? She said the homes looked very well done, and looked like they paid a great deal of attention to the details, but I’m not sure. She said their prices are about $90 – $95 / ft2 including the lot for a 2,700 ft2 2 storey (double-decker style for a lack of a better description). I am just designing my own 2 story right now and I am going to GC it myself and it’s going to cost my $110 – 115/ft2 WITHOUT the lot and this is really tightening the budget. I know there is cost differences, but the cost she got from the real estate agent don’t even make sense to me. Can you guys shed some light on if this makes sense and if this is a good builder – thanks!
Replies
Was that supposed to be "Ryland" homes??? They are a big builder....can't offer you much in the way of comments about them though.
They suck....RUN. High volume, low cost, lower quality....but they shine up nice!
I custom build mostly in the next county south of Akron...Stark. Ryan is down here also and they are the bottom. Keith C
Thanks very much. That's kind of what I figured based on the prices they got. Out of curiousity, how much does a custom builder run/ft2 for the house only, say for a 2 storey double-decker style, 2 1/2 car garage, not super high-end materials, but nice stuff. Not that was pretty vague. That wasn't the intention but I'm trying to convince my sister that she should go with a custom builder, but I want to know what the approx. prices would be in that area since I am not familiar with Akron at all.
Also - do you build in Akron?
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Parolee # 53804
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Parolee # 53804
Ryan Homes is indeed a very large builder, and they've been buying up farmers' back-forties for a long time and putting suburban subs on them.
My parents owned and lived in two built-for-them Ryan homes in Ohio and Pennsylvania. They owned each for a reasonable period of time and were very satisfied. First one was bought in 1964; they sold that and bought the second one sometime in the 1970s. My mother just sold that one this year when she moved into what she calls the "Granny Camp." She misses the house dreadfully.
These were both architecturally-undistinguished, oversized, 'murrican-Dreem fake colonials, very typical of that era...but the physical quality was good or slightly better. I do not personally like houses of this style, but that is an æsthetic judgement. I have seen much worse quality work all too frequently.
That said, I do not have any idea if the company has maintained that level of quality. It has been, after all, thirty years since Mom and Dad bought the second house. A lot of standards in the building trades have slipped in that time and I could only guess if Ryan Homes was an exception. I simply don't know.
I can, however, give you a serious recommendation for a very good high-quality custom builder based in Columbus, which is about an hour or so south of Akron. E-mail me through the forum if you'd like the information.
Dinosaur
DON'T MISS THE FEST!
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
If your sister emails me directly, I can help her out a bit I think.
I will put her in touch with a real estate appraissor I have known over 30 years.- He grew up in the family painting and decorating business( his dad is STILL painting and wall papering)
This painting and wall papering business deals with the best high quality,small volume builders in the area---- these will NOT likely be Home Builder Association members--- they don't need to be-- in general they DO NOT advertise.
not to insult your sister--- but if she is considering Ryan Homes--and their pricing
she is not in the same ball park as these smaller, higher quality builders.
also-- in the akron area she can buy stunningly beautifull older homes in the cities' best school district for less than she can build. ( I am more in tune with the areas private schools, however)I can also put her in touch with 2 high quality,small volume remodelers who also do not need to advertise.
stephen
Hazlett,
Just because their business is doing well, doesn't mean that they shouldn't be a part of the HBA. It seems to me, in my few years experience with the local, state, and NAHB, that the HBA has more to offer than advertising. What about continuing ed., new products, laws and code updates, etc.? Just a thought...
I have built houses in that area ...
there are a lot of builders that are samo samo.....a few good builders...same as anywheres else.
I highly recommend only one builder I know......Chuck Fuchs Builders.
He just built my daughter the finest home I've ever been in (and I've been in a lot over the last thirty years) He's a bit high end though, but if you have the money he's well worth it
I searched daughters 12000 sq' house for anything out of sinc with the floor plan.....any bad cuts on a mile of 4 ...5..piece crown.....anythin and everything.......found one nailhole unfilled......amazing!
I had to admit the guy was better than me.....and you guys know how hard that is to do.