Alquinn Homes Ltd.

My experience with the Sales department was absolutely excellent. I looked at numerous showhomes and most reps wouldn't give me the time of day. Alquinn's staff at both the Hawthorne and Harvest Ridge showhomes were fantastic. They were eager to show other homes in the area to suit my needs. The salesman kept in good contact throughout the whole build process and was quick to answer questions and resolve any issues.

The design team was also great. They allowed us to change most of the colours and options to our style, and having everything at Alquinn's head office was nicer than having to drive place to place to pick materials. This was a very quick process.

One issue was the scheduled walkthrough one week prior to possession. I work out of town and was unable to make it for the day that they had scheduled. Even with a months notice, they weren't willing to budge on the walkthrough date. I understood that everyone has a schedule, but there were 2 parties involved, so it would have been nice to fit my needs as well.

I ended up having my girlfriend do the walkthrough on my behalf. Nothing too major, but she found a few flaws that looked to be pretty amateur. For instance, the tiles in one room aren't flat against one another, causing a lip. The site supervisor attending the walkthrough claimed this is "normal" and that they all do that. Funny, since none of the other rooms have issues, but he did note it for the tiler to come take a look. A few other minor things here and there (screw pops, missing silicone around tile edges, paint nicks). Nothing that can't be fixed before mover in day in a week.

Move in day comes around and I was a bit displeased that I still had no driveway (June 1 possession). They claim it to be seasonal work. I have found that most other home builders pour during the winter months as well, but Alquinn does have a pretty high standard, so I can understand the concern for pouring while the ground is frozen due to cracks and chips. My issue with this is when I asked the site supervisor when I should expect it to be poured, he replied "You get it when you get it." A poor response in my opinion, but fine, he does not control the wait list.

During the final possession walkthrough with the site supervisor, everything seemed great. We went through the deficiency list they had drafted the week prior and the majority of the work was completed.

The issue arose when I mentioned the tile work that I am unhappy with, as he claimed it was "spec" and "normal to warp during manufacturing" (the extra box of tiles in the basement are completely flat, so it is obviously the way they were set). There is also a weird piece of drywall above the door going downstairs that covers the stairs above. It is extremely uneven and looks like quite the hack job. The supervisor mentioned that's one of the better ones he's seen. I hope not. He was unwilling to mark it down as a deficiency.

During the move-in, I had brought a vacuum installer in to finish hooking up the central vac. While we were completing the paperwork, the installer found that the vacuum was not roughed in as it was suppose to be, an issue that was overlooked by myself and girlfriend. The supervisor made some calls and found that it was not in the documentation, so I actually wasn't suppose to have it roughed in (something I would have added during rough in stage). The supervisor wasn't very helpful on this problem stating it will be my word against Alquinn's as to who is responsible for the cost, and even got short with my parents who were there to help move, which was not very professional.

After the paperwork was signed and he left, I did some digging on all the forms I have collected from Alquinn over the last few months, and found I was given a spec sheet that claimed central vac rough in would be included. I snapped a picture and sent it to my salesman, and within 20 minutes, he was at the house and called his manager who said they will foot the cost. Great to have people like that on your side.

Overall I am very happy with the fit and finish. The craftsmanship and attention to detail with this builder is exceptional, and I am not going to let one person ruin my experience. I just hope that staying on them for the tile and drywall issues will go somewhere, hopefully at the end of the 1,6 & 12 month walkthroughs I will be 100% happy.