We are early in the process of building our home. To date, Kate and Alina have been very helpful, responsive and consultative in getting us through the initial steps of building this home. We are looking forward to this adventure based on our interactions with the team at Kent Homes.
Customer Suggestion - Develop a standard package that includes universal design or ADA features.
Lead Source - Developer sales person
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - Open kitchen/family room
Clean & Safe - Dade did a great job keeping the job site clean. This was one of the things we noticed about Kent homes before we decided to use them for our builder.
Quality Of Workmanship - Since moving in we have noticed how well the trim work was done except 2 areas. 1) The paint job on the office doors does not look professional and if it cannot be done right, Kent may want to look at using other types of French doors. We have a darker paint and so the wood shows where they can't get paint and it looks sloppy. 2) The windows on each side of the front door have wood trim dividers that do not cover the entire gap. Just noticed it when I cleaned the side windows. We are also not sure about the flooring, we did not expect for it to crackle as much and wonder what it will sound like in the colder months. We do not believe this is any fault of our PM.
PM Professional & Organized - Dade was very professional and always organized. Rarely was he unable to provide answers to our questions but when he had to consult with other staff he was quick to provide an answer.
Communication - Dade was responsive throughout our build process and had excellent knowledge. He brought us in when needed to aid communication with the pool build with Ocean Blue and the Pool screen company to facilitate scheduling, and also with Wrightsville Beach landscaping and the water restrictions.
PM Professionalism - Dade was always professional.
PM Expertise - Totally agree. His attention to detail is bar none!
PM Problem Resolution - In our build it involved a pool coordination and also a pool screen project. While it was new for Dade, and the scheduling was very tight and at one point we were unsure, he worked on a solution to get us a TCO in case the pool cage was not completed and in order for us to keep our move in date of July 19th.
Employees & Trade Contractors - We have had a few follow ups since moving in and all have been good experiences. Electrician, cabinet company, landscapers.
Schedule - Earlier than expected is a good thing when building a house.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Organization of the build, timeline, communication and responsiveness, overall quality of construction
Areas For Improvement - Landscaping allowance. We don't believe 15K is a reasonable amount to cover the required HOA landscaping. After getting 3 bids all were 4-5K over and there was not a lot of things to be cut. You should just up it to 20K and remove any chance of sticker shock.
Recognized Excellence - Dade of course. Ella did a great job as well. Getting in ahead of when we thought!
Lead Source - Family previously built with Kent. Mike and Kim Mahoney
Salesperson Accessibility - Seems like he's always available.
Recognized Excellence - So far Ella and Cameron have been awesome!
We had to email upper management 2 times and it took 7 weeks after orientation for the original punch list to be completed. Quality of the home depends greatly on the PM.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Their communication and quality of work met my expectations.
Clean & Safe - At move in house was safe but not clean. There were paint stains on carpet, white paint on brown wood floor, paint on cabinets and tile floor, paint spill in driveway, Sheetrock dust on fixtures and top shelves in closets, Sheetrock dust painted over on base boards and in corners of bathroom backsplash/wall, and water bottles and other trash in pine needle/shrub area.
Recognized Excellence - Carol, Alina and Ella were all great to work with and made the beginning of our build run smoothly. Kenny (and Landon M.) were given to us the last few weeks when we requested a different PM. They have a great eye and attention to details, were able to complete our punch list, and met our high quality expectations.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - The style of the Jonesport
Recognized Excellence - Carol Hobbs
Areas Of Satisfaction - All
Areas For Improvement - None
Recognized Excellence - Chris Moore, Carol Hobbs, Alina
Additional Comments - Jacqui and I are so pleased with the service we received and the quality of the house they are building for us. Thank you all so much.
Clean & Safe - It was an absolute pleasure to work with Chris.
Areas Of Satisfaction - The way they take you through every step of buying the home, showing us what options we can add, and keeping us updated every step of the way.
Recognized Excellence - Carol Hobbs and Chris Moore
Additional Comments - We are so happy we chose Kent Homes.
Recognized Excellence - Chris Moore
Any Changes? - Nothing
Favorite Home Feature - One Level
Areas Of Satisfaction - Everything
Building a new house is always a difficult task but Kent Homes made this process smooth and easy by assisting us along the way.
Lead Source - We bought a lot in St. James Plantation about two years ago. The realtor gave us a list of preferred builders and we started looking at model homes.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - I am most excited about the messy kitchen and the covered balcony. Also, the garage is very nice. Honestly, the overall design of that particular model, Lumina Island, we like.
Customer Suggestion - They covered everything. I really can't think of anything to add.
Recognized Excellence - I want to recognize Carol, and Alina Aviles, for the selection process to select the cabinets, paint, doors, electrical, etc. Also, Tim, VP of Operations, introduced himself to let us know if we have any issues with anything, we could contact him.
Areas For Improvement - They are really good. I can't think of anything they fell short of.
Areas Of Satisfaction - They are very detailed and transparent. They are very detailed and tell you about the home they are going to build for you inside and out. If we want to change anything or the design, they don't say no. They will try to entertain the list and add it to their design. Although we didn't make many changes, they were able to accommodate the small changes we did make.
Additional Comments - It's a great experience.
Lead Source - I heard about your company from a list of builders from the Bluff's. You were approved as a builder in this community.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - I am most excited about the kosher room.
Recognized Excellence - I would like to recognize Ella Richardson, in the design center, and Kate.
Areas Of Satisfaction - I think the building process and schedule seems to be very detailed. I am expecting them to be able to build within the agreed upon timeframe. Relative to other builders, we have had experience with and researched. That was before we decided to go with you.
Design Consultant Knowledge - Absolutely, the design consultant was knowledgeable.
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - I am excited about the butlers' pantry.
Recognized Excellence - I would like to recognize Ella.
Customer Suggestion - We have some wasted space on the island. The cabinet supplier didn't provide a cabinet of particular size that would fit. I did find other suppliers that had those in stock. The one that you use didn't stock that same feature. The supplier for the shelves that went into the master bedroom, they had a slow turnaround. I am thinking about a two-week delay in getting through the plans for the design. We had some changes to the shelves.
Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied that their design studio had everything available to go through in the selection process. That was a lot more straight forward than other builders we were looking at and had heard about
Areas For Improvement - They didn't fall short in any area.
Quality build, on-time, on-budget with focus on customer satisfaction
Design Consultant Communication - There were two people, so it is a collective team that did the selections, not just one person.
Design Consultant Problem Resolution - Due to other scheduled selections with others, it took them a while to get back to me about questions because they had to check internally with engineering.
Selections Budget - They should go through selections in a way that relates to price impact. Some of the biggest cost items tended to be at the end, and we seemed to run out of time.
Options - Limited suppliers and items in their catalog, and no time option to be able to pursue alternate sources.
Understanding Of Cost - Before two weeks after selections, and things aren't settled by then, now it is two months after selections, so I am good now, but at first, they still needed to answer some questions.
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - They came up with an option to include the option to include the cook top on the island, which was considered non-standard. It was a pricey option, but they came up with one. It was one of those surprises at the end.
Recognized Excellence - Amy Barnes has been a trooper in terms of helping of clarifying what the selections people had and communicating what the expectations were.
Customer Suggestion - They should have a little more preparation for the clients to get an understanding of the key decisions that they have to discuss during selections. What they do instead is have a standard playbook, and if one client is totally standard, not doing anything special, it works perfectly; anybody that is outside the guardrail is a mess.
Areas Of Satisfaction - The quality of engineering detail met/exceeded my expectations.
Areas For Improvement - Providing guidance for acronyms used in the engineering detail process fell short of my expectations.
Additional Comments - It is better to engineer than not engineer, so that is why I am a big fan of Kent Homes. Other competitors do not detail things out and without the detail, many times, the quality suffers. The detail is good, but it can become a bit confusing for the customers.
PM Problem Resolution - Problems identified by customer, not PM
PM Professional & Organized - Deviations from standard build were not taken into account. Unnecessary rework.
Trust - Unlike other builders, Kent creates extensive documentation on customer selections and change orders. While difficult to get through on initial handling, we came to trust those documents as the detailed plans representing our interest.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Detailed plans/contracts allowing us recourse to correct mistakes.
Recognized Excellence - Amy MacKay
Areas For Improvement - Assigned PM should pull out all non-standard requests from the build documents and use as a secondary reminder to cross check ordered supplies and installation instructions. Reviewing PM should use build documents as a point of review. Workmanship has not been the issue, it has been an incorrect implementation.
Use Comments - Use for internal process improvements.
Additional Comments - We understand that there is a standard fixup step at the end. Cindy and I are paying for a new house and expect the qualities of a new house. Minor bumps and scratches are expected, and make sense for that fixup phase. Structural issues should be addressed with new replacements.
PM Professional & Organized - Mix if proactive and reactive skills.
Communication - Regular and detailed portal updates and checkpoint meetings.
PM Problem Resolution - Issues did surface which were quickly resolved.
Schedule - Ready early. Had to request minor delay to fit our needs.
Orientation Punch List - Short punch list was quickly completed.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Vaulted ceiling, fireplace stonework, support buyer DYI plans.
Areas For Improvement - Discussing in detail the ramifications of model options and change orders Proactively sharing issues when buyers have interest.
Recognized Excellence - Chris Moore
Additional Comments - Kent gaining traction in the Bluffs due to the positive experience from buyers. Custom builds create an infinite number of variables to manage. Kent's approach has guardrails to provide quality and timeliness.
Options - Lightning options limited and appliance options very limited
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - Living area
Recognized Excellence - Ella Richardson has made herself available to work out issues and answer questions throughout the selection process.
Options - I think they could have more choices so that it doesn't end up that everyone is picking from the same few choices, not making the home completely your style.
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - I like the whole thing and everything about it. There is no one particular feature that I love more than the other. I think I just like we are able to fit our entire family in a house that is not enormous because of their floor plans. They are very multi-generation friendly.
Recognized Excellence - Ella was great. She took so much time. It seemed like I was her only client when I was going through, trying to fine tune things. We had a lot of trying to figure out the island and getting it to look more like a piece of furniture instead of a slab in the middle of the floor. She did so much leg work pulling things together, helping me understand how things were the way they were. It was a joint effort. I was excited about how we did that. She was great!
Customer Suggestion - M suggestion would to be more open to other options and possibly even if someone has a suggestion or idea about what they want to bring, helping them source it and make it a part of their package to have it installed by them. If you find something not in their showroom, then you have to figure out how you will get it installed. It goes back to having more options, even if you are building off one piece off of their grouping, you can't make it streamline. There will be one piece missing, and you can't close the gap. There are not enough choices with lighting, and appliances is really a big thing. There are no real high-end appliances, and then if you do go outside you get almost nothing for a credit. It wouldn't cover 1 appliance. They just don't have enough options. They should have higher end appliance and light packages that allow you to go in between. They just use one company for the fixtures, like the faucets, and that is it. It makes it really difficult.
Areas Of Satisfaction - I felt like with trying to get in touch with Ella and work through my frustration with the lack of options, she was really able to get me to a point where I was still able to say this was fine. I think you have ideas in your head, and in all fairness, if they cave to every detail everyone wanted it is not a semi custom home. That probably is something that not everyone understands that well, the difference between custom and semi custom homes. They are very accessible, and I was surprised they were as accessible. If Ella said she was going to call, she called. If she said she was available at a certain time, she was there.
Areas For Improvement - There are no areas at this stage that they have fallen short in. I don't think I am far enough in the process to comment.
Additional Comments - Amy was very easy to work with as well. Ella was great. I didn't have any issues. It was very streamline and she was friendly. So far, everything is going great. I am anxious to get started!
Professional & Organized - Ella was fantastic and Amy made great structural suggestions
Design Consultant Attentiveness - We absolutely LOVED the process. Being the only people there was fantastic
Options - I was disappointed with the bathroom tile selections. I do believe that it is related to the increase in cost and not anything Kent has control over
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - All of it!
Areas Of Satisfaction - Communication!! Quick to respond and made great suggestions
Communication - Landon Choplin has been outstanding
Areas Of Satisfaction - They met all of my expectations.
Areas For Improvement - I wish they were more flexible in scheduling in selections with weekend visits for out of town homebuyers.
Recognized Excellence - I had a great experience with Archie and Carol. The lady with selections, Alina, was exceptional while we were in her office.
Kent Homes was a great buying experience. Very knowledgeable staff, very flexible with options and selections, and very appreciative of our business
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - Telescoping sliding door
Recognized Excellence - Both Cameron and Ella where very helpful during the process
Customer Suggestion - Better granite countertop selection. Ability to make telescoping sliding door a pocket door. It would have been nice to meet the owner of Kent homes while we were in town doing our selections.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Ella was fantastic as our design consultant, making great recommendations and always available to answer questions. Cameron helped make our buying process easy, flexible, and worry free.
Areas For Improvement - Telescoping door and granite options Some pricing on options seems excessive, for example the shoe moldings, the sinks, plumbing fixtures and changes to front door
Lead Source - I heard about your company from my realtor.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - I am most excited about the openness and the arched entryways.
Customer Suggestion - This isn't on Kayla whatsoever, but I would make it clear from the beginning, that you can't get everything you want. There were two bathtubs in both bathrooms. My husband is handicap, and I have to have the tubs removed when the house hasn't even been built yet. That is very costly. The cost is much more for the adjustments I had to make
Recognized Excellence - I would like to definitely recognize Kayla. That is the only person I have dealt with at this point.
Areas For Improvement - They didn't fall short in any area.
Areas Of Satisfaction - I was most satisfied with the communication.
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - I am most excited about the living room.
Recognized Excellence - Alina Aviles was exceptional. She was patient, professional and even gave us a lot of time making sure it all was done.
Customer Suggestion - I wish they offer more blue options, in things like tile for example. I would have liked gold faucets as well.
Areas Of Satisfaction - The selections process exceeded my expectations.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Kent build a beautiful home.
Salesperson Accessibility - Carol Autry is our salesperson
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - More privacy
Recognized Excellence - Carol Aurtry and Alina at the Design Center
Areas Of Satisfaction - Met expectations
Lead Source - We were referred by a real estate agent.
Options - The standards and upgrades were far between each other in price. The upgrades were excessive.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - I am most excited about the bonus room, lodge, and the garage.
Customer Suggestion - They were exceptional and I'm very happy. We got a good deal.
Recognized Excellence - Amy Barnes and Ella Richardson were both excellent.
Areas Of Satisfaction - They exceeded my expectations in all areas. They were a pleasure to do business with. Amy knew all the answers to every question we asked. She helped us design.
Additional Comments - They were very knowledgeable, and it was a very good experience.
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - I am most excited about the patio.
Recognized Excellence - Amy Barnes provided exceptional service.
Customer Suggestion - I do not have any suggestions for Kent Homes.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Kent Homes met/exceeded my expectations with the kitchen.
Additional Comments - Everything is good with Kent Homes.
Construction Quality - Looking at the photos. House looks great
Communication - Could not say enough about Landon what a great project manager
PM Expertise - Can’t thank of anything he miss. Fantastic person
PM Professionalism - Happy we got him to do our house. Thanks Amy Barns
PM Problem Resolution - Everything we spoke about was handle professionally and accurately
PM Professional & Organized - Everything that was in our conversations was handled promptly and correctly
Understand Building Process - Can’t say anything bad. He was great
Trust - I trusted him with our build.
Clean & Safe - Did a great job. Even when the new model was going up
Employees & Trade Contractors - Everybody was friendly and professional
Overall Experience - Yes they did. Very satisfyed
Areas Of Satisfaction - The time it took to put the house up
Recognized Excellence - Landon. And Amy Barnes
Areas For Improvement - None
Areas Of Satisfaction - Everything was done great
Areas For Improvement - none
Recognized Excellence - Just great
Lead Source - Parade of Homes event
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - The overall floor plan and custom options.
Recognized Excellence - Alina Aviles
Areas For Improvement - None
Areas Of Satisfaction - Guiding us through the selection process.
Recognized Excellence - Alina Aviles
Lead Source - Brunswick Forest
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - The pantry & pocket office that I’m making a dry bar
Design Consultant Communication - Ella was so awesome to work with!
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - The pantry and the “pocket office” which I’m having designed into a dry bar room
Recognized Excellence - Cameron AND Ella
Additional Comments - I have appreciated the fact that Kent works well with coordinating meetings while I am in Wilmington to cut down numerous trips, as i live about 6 hours away
Lead Source - I discovered Kent when we visited the model homes at Compass Pointe. I loved the Kent model home and quality of workmanship.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - Kitchen
Recognized Excellence - Kayla is a pleasure to work with. Available to answer our questions and offer solutions.
Additional Comments - We have enjoyed working with Kent Homes throughout the planning process. We are excited and looking forward to see our completed home.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Kent Homes kept to their timeline when building our home. We were amazed at how quickly our home was built ahead of schedule at the same time keeping up with the quality of the build.
Areas For Improvement - We love our Kent Home. Kent is an excellent builder who does outstanding work
Recognized Excellence - We enjoyed working with our Project Manager, Ross Wiley. He was always available to answer any questions we had. He kept communicating with us throughout the entire build process.
Additional Comments - We had an excellent build experience with Kent Homes. We would definitely recommend Kent Homes to anyone searching for a builders.
Lead Source - Looked at one of there model homes.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - Covered Balcony, coffered ceilings, messy kitchen
Recognized Excellence - Ella did a tremendous job helping us in the design center!
Lead Source - From my realtor
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - Front entrance
Areas Of Satisfaction - Yes Kate did
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - overall Kent worked with us to design a home we are very excited about. I am nervous about the unique features we selected but overall very excited.
Recognized Excellence - Kate DaSilva has worked to ensure all our requests were considered, she had great ideas to problem solve,and overall was a great partner.
Customer Suggestion - The pricing at time was strange. Most were fair but selecting the linear fireplace for example, eliminated the inclusion of any surrounding stone and mantle that was included in the more traditional fireplace. This was surprising as the exclusion is not indicated in the selections guide/material. When a question about the build cost schedule surface they should send customers straight to Brandi. ther were several frustrating conversations until I was finally able to speak to Brandi - who was extremely helpful;.
Areas Of Satisfaction - The willingness to make design changes like adding a linen closet for a more convenient upstairs bath and they also added a wall to create a more private Bonus room.
Areas For Improvement - Price transparency. Pricing was strange for appliances being upgraded as the explanations did not make sense. The cost was 3000 higher than if I were to purchase myself without any discount. The other was I asked for several changes to the island. I asked for a breakdown of each so i could decide which upgrade to remove. I could not get this information. The selections guide should be updated to include the caveat that if you choose the Linear fireplace nothing else comes with it.
Lead Source - Model and other clients building a new home at The Bluffs
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - We love the open concept floor plan and how functional the design is.
Recognized Excellence - We have been pleased with everyone we have met at Kent Home--Especially Kate and Alina!
Areas Of Satisfaction - Any time we had a question or concern Kate addressed immediately and exceeded our expectations
Additional Comments - Everyone one that we have worked with at Kent Homes so far has responded to any of our questions in a timely manner. .
Favorite Design Feature (Selections) - Open Floor Plan
Recognized Excellence - Alina Aviles was exceptional at the design center. She was knowledgeable, patient, timely in her responses to our questions. Kate DaSilva is awesome! She is one of the reasons we selected Kent Homes over another builder. She answered all of our questions and concerns.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Customer Service
I have recommended Kent Homes to my friends and some have built!
Orientation Punch List - It hasn't been completed, but I know he's working on it.
Areas Of Satisfaction - They built my home in record time, which was great. They built me a lovely house.
Areas For Improvement - The one area I think they need to work on is with the cleaning company used before The house was not cleaned the best it could have been
Recognized Excellence - Dave Dutton was great. Sue Lyons was wonderful. Alina, the design consultant, was very good.
Additional Comments - I would highly recommend them. As I said, it's my second build with Kent Homes.
Recognized Excellence - Everyone we delt with was knowledgeable and professional
Any Changes? - My location I did not expect my common area to be total weeds
Favorite Home Feature - Love my kitchen
Areas Of Satisfaction - All areas
Client For Life - This is my. Second Kent Home
Lead Source - I found a home on the internet that was being built in the neighborhood I wanted to live in. That home was being built by Kent Homes. I had search new home listing for zip code 28422
Salesperson Accessibility - We dealt with Carol Autry. Our process was probably shorter than usual since the house was a spec house.
Options - We were glad we were able to make some minor changes. The house had everything thing picked out and we like all the fixtures appliances etc that was going into the house.
Favorite Design Feature (At Contract) - I love the whole floor plan. I think my husband loves the garage size.
Areas Of Satisfaction - Organization and communications
Kent Homes worked diligently to communicate with us and understand our desires and needs.
Construction Quality - My wife's brother is an architect who did the inspection with us at the last inspection, and he felt very good with what the construction and quality was.
Clean & Safe - We are not on the site, and are across the country, but from the pictures the job site seems to be fine.
Areas Of Satisfaction - They met or exceeded my expectations, first with the speed of getting things done. Also, we have had a lot of communication with Dave and that was more than I expected. I liked the way he tried to do what we wanted to have done.
Recognized Excellence - I would like to recognize Dade Dutton, the project manager. We worked with others, but we worked with him the most.
Areas For Improvement - They fell short of my expectations as there are some selections we would have liked, but we were unable to obtain them.