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SKEPTICAL HOME BUYERS ASK BUILDER,
DICK WILDERMUTH, TOUGH QUESTIONS! |
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Q. You used to be a so called stickbuilder,
what made you change?
A. Yes, I was, for the better part of 10 years, and during
that time I struggled constantly for control over the building process: control over the cost, the time, and
the quality and. I look back, I was seldom satisfied on all fronts.
You see, even stickbuilders usually do only the carpentry
work, if that. There is this huge reliance on a variety of subcontractors and material suppliers all with divided
loyalties...divided because they work for so many different builders. Control in such a scenario is a loosely defined
concept at best.
Q. So how does using modular methods solve
that problem?
A. You control cost two ways. First is that as much as
90% of the work is done in the plant which leaves very little to the vagaries of the site. And second, we get a
fixed quote from the manufacturer that assures us what our costs are so we can pass on that assurance to you.
You gain control of the timing because once you place an
order, you get a fixed delivery date and the little work that remains after that is very predictable. Besides,
you've taken the unpredictability of the weather virtually out of the picture.
And last, you get control of the quality because the assembly
process in a climate controlled factory is very consistent.
Q. OK, so you make building easy, you can build
very quickly and the  quality is consistent, but just how good is that quality?
A. Well, what do you think about what you see?
Q. Very nice, but what about the parts that
I can't see?
A. My turn for a question: Have you ever walked through
a home under construction after a good rain?
Q. Yes.
A. What did you see?
Q. Puddles on the plywood floors, rusty nails.
A. You'll never see that on one of our sites because the
homes are built indoors and delivered to us weather tight. When we turn over a new house to an owner, everything
in it is new too.
Also, we only use windows that have Low-E glass and the
insulation exceeds all code requirements so our homes are very economical to heat and cool.
Q. You mean they are more energy efficient
too? How can that be?
A. A great amount of the energy consumed heating or cooling
a home is the result of changing the temperature of newly introduced outside air. So the tighter the house and
the better the windows and weather stripping, the lower the fuel bills. Because of all the gluing we do, the housewrap
we use and the insulated doors and windows, our homes are very energy efficient.
What's more, we build in more floor, wall and ceiling insulation
than is required by code which keeps our homes quieter and more comfortable.
 Q. Is it really less expensive to build
modular?
A. Modular construction is a very efficient way to build.
Our manufacturer has extraordinary buying power. Each project is different but customers routinely tell us that
either we saved them money or that they were able to build a better home for the same price as a stickbuilder.
Q. OK, I came to a modular company to see if
I could save money. I haven't had a chance to compare quotes from several builders yet. Why would I choose you
to be my builder if you're not less expensive?
A. I am asked questions about price every day. The answer
is simple: Our quote is for a home that includes more features and better specifications. We've built over 1400
new homes and I can say with certainty that these folks did not choose Connecticut Valley so they could spend more
than they had to to get what they want.
Q. I want to compare your quote accurately
with other builders. Are there any other savings?
A. The speed of our methods alone will save about half
of the construction interest cost and there are no costs from pilferage and weather damage that figure into most
regular bids.
Our speed and the fact we get a home weather tight and
locked in one day makes a big difference. Last spring we built a home across the street for my friend, Paul
Williams. There were four other homes in the neighborhood being site built and they all had at least a two month
head start on us. Our people were moved in and settled at least two months sooner than any of the other four!
You mentioned comparing quotes accurately. If you're interested,
we offer help comparing prices from different builders. So, if you're confused about allowances, specifications
or the "Bottom Line", let us know and we'll show you how to compare information.
Q. Your model homes are beautiful. Doesn't
it bother you when  customers look at other builders?
A. We always encourage people to check other builders
because we're confident that the more you look the better we'll look. You are investing in a new home, maybe the
single largest investment of your life and what most people want to know is exactly what they are getting for their
hard earned dollars.
That's why the model homes are such a valuable asset for
you. Since we guarantee you'll get what you see, you have the opportunity to check out in advance the quality you'll
be getting.
Q. What are your guarantees?
A. First, you get a complete floor to roof peak guarantee
that covers all labor and material for the first 12 months. Also, you get a ten year structural warranty. Beyond
that you get an array of product warranties that extend as long as 40 years.
What most new homeowners want is to know that the builder
will come back and take care of whatever minor glitches crop up. For that, you simply have to pick the right builder.
Q. Do you go back and take care of the "minor
glitches", as you call them?
A. Absolutely. More than 50% of our customers are referrals.
You get that by taking care of details. That's what makes our personal guarantee so valuable.
 Q. Don't you guys require the homeowner to
provide his own foundation, and well , and everything?
A. We will either arrange to have all of the sitework done
for you by one of our proven sitework contractors, or you can do some or all of it yourself. You can pick what
suits you best. We have found either method easy and very cost effective.
Q. OK, so modulars sound pretty good, but why
should I choose Connecticut Valley Homes? Aren't all modular companies the same?
A. That's just like saying all cars are the same. They're
not.
Your choice is two fold. The first is the manufacturer
and they are different as are the makers of automobiles. What they produce depends on what they are aiming to produce
and the level of their skill. Not all are trying to build to the highest possible standards. There are big markets
in some areas for very cheap housing while others target varying intermediate levels.
We have always kept our standards high because that is
what gives us the greatest professional satisfaction. Besides, we're not "get in and get out" kind of
people. We've got deep roots here.
The second consideration is the local builder...people
like us. We've built over 1400 homes and our track record speaks for itself on that issue.
 Q. Connecticut Valley Homes does have a good
reputation, but things can't go right 100% of the time. What kind of surprises might I expect?
A. Only pleasant ones.
Q. Sounds like a flip response.
A. Sorry, that wasn't my intention. It's just that when
the same due diligence is directed at the work done on site and to the ordering and service process, you don't
have a lot of unhappy surprises.
When we quote, we include all taxes, transportation, erection
and on site labor.
Q. Have you ever had a cost over run?
A. None that a customer ever had to pay.
Q. In over 1400 homes?
A. That's right.
Q. Will you put all of your guarantees in writing
for me?
A. Yes.
Q. Can I get references?
A. Of course. I'll give you the names of bankers, building
inspectors, and as many customers as you would like.
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