Reality Homes - Burlington - Model Home

My son-in-law and daughter are using Reality Homes to build their new house, next to mine. I’ve been able to watch, first hand, the very very slow progress. Reality Homes is not good at following up on promises made. I’ve had a chance to talk to and listen to the project manager both with and without my kids. The project manager comes by every 2 weeks to check on progress and tell them what to expect next. Usually what they are told doesn’t happen.
All the cabinets were delivered almost 2 months ago but still not installed. A cabinet for one of the bathrooms was the wrong size, but the installers said they couldn’t install the others till the one was corrected and delivered. The corrected one has been here now for 3 weeks, and still nothing has been done. The appliances have been purchased by the kids but they can’t be installed till the cabinets are put in. All the interior doors have been in the garage over 3 months now waiting for installation too. Nothing but promises and no action, when they do answer an email or phone call. The 3rd project manager involved said 3 weeks ago, that the house should be finished in about a month. Nobody has been here since or for several weeks before that to do anything. So it’s been about 6 weeks since any construction worker have been here.
This statement is all based on my observations, and what I’ve heard. I haven’t used Reality Homes but certainly wouldn’t use them or recommend this company to anyone looking to build a home, based on what I’ve seen.

September 15th, 2020 Currently waiting for them to actually begin building. Got permits in July, 3 months ago. Not even forms for a foundation. Sure, the price is good but can you actually get that price without paying extra. Been thru 2 protect managers and 2 regional managers. Very little communication. Cari Anne was terrible. Never returned a call. This process is hard enough.

Update- October 8th. We have forms for the foundation but no concrete yet and they just fired the project manager. Not sure if that will help or make it worse.

Update- November 15. Footing for a foundation, but no foundation wall. And the rain has started.

Update- February 12th. Foundation was poured Jan 5th, back fill and drainage is complete, ready for framers, got windows delivered today. Things picking up slightly thanks to Andy (PM). Covid has added to delays.

Update- February 28. Lumber delivered. 1st floor is up. Hoping it can all move quickly now. Lost another project manager, that's 4 now in the last year.

Update- April 13th. Framing complete, windows installed, New project manager Kerry is very effective. Roof being put on, plumbing about halfway complete.

Update- August 25th. It's been a busy summer. New project manager Barry is great. A few hiccups but almost complete. Overall Reality has been good to work with. Communication has been clear and open. Scheduling has improved and sub contractors have been more reliable.

Update- November. All complete. I'd do it again and I'd use this company. It's a stressful process but well worth it. Glad I did the exterior and interior painting myself even though it's a lot of work. And I should have budgeted more for exterior landscaping and concrete work.

Horrible company. The Reality concept is great, however this is one of the most mismanaged companes I've encountered. I went in with low expectations because the price was right. Well I was wrong. The additional 9 months to build beyind what we were told cost us thousands alone. Not to memtion the time involved. Now weve been done for 4 months and they wont answer or get in touch about the punch list, which happens to include a kitchen cabinet.
Fortunately being a home inspector I was able to fix many of the mistakes that were made along the way after trying to get the subcontractors and reality to fix them without success. I couldn't imagine not knowing the process and being able to do things yourself and relying on Reality to complete your home. Most every sub contractor complains about the way they do business and have even quite working for them on or after my project. Reality homes needs to re-organize their process and focus on better communication and customer relations rather than always worrying about when they are going to get their next next draw check (this is the only time they call). There are other affordable builders out there and I absolutely would NOT recommend Reality Homes. However, that said, I do believe Vince, our project manager did everything in his power to communicate and fix things and was always responsive. It seems to me that the work load for the project managers is too high and they are trying to build too many homes, sacrificing quality and customer service. I don't forsee this company sticking around either which worries me for our home warranty.

Today we started the process to build with reality homes. Pamela was great to talk to and work with, she was very knowledgeable and didn’t hesitate to show us all of our options. We are excited to get started and excited to build our home with reality homes.

Pam at Reality Homes has been very helpful and responsive and has provided great customer service in our home building process.