OT Maronda Homes

[dvcnewgirl]

Anyone in florida use Maronda homes to build their house? Their prices seem like a lot less. Any feedback would be great!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I haven't used them, but have seen the models & they seem nice. I have heard thru "grapevines" that they aren't a good builder, but everyone that has said that has said it on hearsay, they didn't use them either. That is about the best I can do for you... they aren't too big down here by me (Lee County)

 

[tinkarooni]

I do not live in Florida but further north. Maronda homes are notorious here for building nice big fancy homes with much lower price tags than their competitors. Folks walk through them and are typically wowed. Fact is though that you usually get what you pay for. They are not built well or to last. They are built to wow the customer. They use inexpensive windows and doors, low grade standard cabinets, fixtures and carpeting and the cheapest subcontractors they can find for plumbing, electrical etc. I have seen first hand how their subcontractors took shortcuts to save money only to find the homeowner in a fix 5-7 years later. Seals popping on windows (they fog up), leaking foundations.

 

[Seahunt]

Here's the figures from an Orlando Sentinel inspection to look at for examples:

Builder: Maronda
Homes Inspected: 24
Average Problems Per Home: 8.6

Homes Problems
Priority Problem: 24 111
Concerns: 22 59
Worth Noting: 16 36

Total:
206



Problem Occurences
Exterior wall stair crack 16
Exterior windows corner cracks 11
Air handler corrosion 9
Interior windows poor caulk 9
Showerhead loose 7
HVAC mold 6
Tub/shower caulk/seal 6
Disconnect switch in livingway 5
Piping on house loose 5
Roof not flat 5
Garage door noisy 4
HVAC air leak handler 4
Driveway poor slope 3
Exterior doors difficult to operate 3
Garage attic ductwork with bends 3
Garage floor major cracks 3
Interior walls poor drywall 3
Interior walls uneven 3
Misc. interior door 3
Ponding 3
Poor drainage 3
Smoke detector too low 3
Toilet loose 3
Venting corrosion 3
Attic ductwork bends >90 2
Exterior wall major cracks 2
Floors poor workmanship 2
Garage walls damaged 2
HVAC corrosion 2
HVAC moisture 2
Interior ceilings uneven 2
Interior walls cracks 2
Interior window cracks 2
Kitchen counters/cabinets damaged 2
Misc. counter/cabinets 2
Misc. electric 2
Misc. exterior wall 2
Misc. floor 2
Misc. HVAC 2
Pump/blow fan damaged 2
Roof cover vents 2
Ventilation fan inoperative 2
Air handler damage 1
Attic vents blocked 1
Carpet 1
CDL broken 1
Counter/cabinets grout caulk 1
Deck deteriorating 1
Deck minor cracks 1
Driveway cracks major 1
Driveway spalling 1
Exterior door leak 1
Exterior doors damaged 1
Exterior wall crack 1
Exterior wall moisture 1
Exterior window mold 1
Fireplace exterior cracks 1
Floor poor drain 1
Floors damaged 1
Garage ceiling cracks 1
Garage door code violation 1
Garage door deteriorating hardware 1
Garage floor chipped 1
Garage walls major cracks 1
Handicap entry not ok 1
Insulation uneven 1
Interior ceilings cracks 1
Interior ceilings moisture 1
Interior ceilings poor drywall 1
Interior floor with mold 1
Interior windows leaking 1
Interior windows uneven 1
Misc. attic 1
Misc. caulk 1
Misc. exterior window 1
Misc. flashings 1
Misc. piping 1
Misc. roof 1
Misc. sink/tub/shower 1
Poor design 1
Range cooktop oven not secure 1
Rear patio windows corner crack 1
Sidewalk cracks major 1
Sink cracked/damaged 1
Sink/tub/shower with moisture 1
Toilet damage 1
Tub/shower leaking 1
Used HVAC unit 1
Venting damaged 1


Total:
206

I remember that they also had a problem down here where they took deposits on lots, never built on the lot, then cancelled the buyers contracts over a year later because they could get more $$$$ for the lots then - loads of irate buyers! If you would use them, I would somehow make sure that they can't cancel the contract just to be able to sell to someone else for more money....

 

[hlane]

We are in Ohio and just built a Maronda and it is WONDERFUL!!! Can't think of one bad thing about them, we've had a couple small things that needed fixed but they were corrected right away. We had a house before build by a more expensive builder and it was a piece of junk. Maronda has two classes of houses they build here, I don't know the lower series name but we built the Sterling Series and so much that was stardard with Maronda was considered an upgrade with the other builder, including carpet, padding, full basement, half bath, ceiling fan rough-ins, cement driveway, I could go on and on. With the other builder we got 1200 sq feet with a full basement, 2 car garage for $160,000 with Maronda we got 2700 sq ft with a full basement, 2 car garage for $180,000. The model we built was featured in the Parade of Homes last year also. A co-worker recommended Maronda to me after he had built his 3rd one, I have several other co-workers that have Maronda's and they really like them also. Looking at their website though, at least just by the pictures the homes in FL do not look as nice as the ones in OH????

 

[lisabarr]

I am a Florida Broker and I have heard nothing but bad from people who have bought Maronda homes. They are one of the only builders who do not work with realtors at all and most of the homes I have been to when they are resold are obviously of poor construction. I would be very leery. PM if you have more questions. They are on par with US homes, big homes, little money, poor construction.

 

[Equidae]

I know several people here who built homes with Maronda, including my brother and his wife. All have had troubles with their A/C going out and needing repairs.

 

[Southern4sure]

I am a Florida Broker and I have heard nothing but bad from people who have bought Maronda homes. They are one of the only builders who do not work with realtors at all and most of the homes I have been to when they are resold are obviously of poor construction. I would be very leery. PM if you have more questions. They are on par with US homes, big homes, little money, poor construction.

Just wanted to say hello from another Land O Lakes, Fl resident.