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Van Metre or Miller and Smith

Discussion in 'Homeowners Corner' started by tlgreen58, Feb 23, 2005.

  1. tlgreen58

    tlgreen58 New Member

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    I reside in the Broadlands in an NV Home. My wife and I want to downsize to a townhome. We have looked at Van Metre and Miller and Smith townhomes and each has a model that we like.

    Our question is which is the better builder? Which has better warranty service? Can anyone shed some light on this issue?

    Thanks,

    Tom:)
     
  2. Carol Al-Ajroush

    Carol Al-Ajroush New Member

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    Hi there! Speaking from past experience, I previously owned a VM TH in Woodland Park in Herndon. My experience was very positive. I feel like VM had a better built home than others (can't speak specifically for M&S) and many items (like crown molding for example) were standard in VM but not necessarily with other builders where they'd be considered an upgrade.

    Interestingly we had better response on warranty items when owning the TH vice our VM SFH but that could also be attributable to timing and demand of then vs now.
     
  3. Azsweepay

    Azsweepay New Member

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    I live in a "Magic" series Miller and Smith townhome and have had no problems that I would consider abnormal (No leaks, no missing insulation).

    Gregg
     
  4. JenCo

    JenCo New Member

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    Can't say that I'd recommend Van Metre. We're in one of their townhomes in Southern Walk (but you're probably looking at the newer ones just being built). You may have a different experience but the warranty service and customer service is not up to what I consider reasonable standards. The house as a whole is nice though & the features that came standard were a definite plus!
     
  5. tlgreen58

    tlgreen58 New Member

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    The townhome we are looking at is also in Southern Walk, just behind the community pool. What kind of problems did you have with warranty and customer service?
     
  6. JenCo

    JenCo New Member

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    You're in the newer models probably so perhaps you have a different sales/warranty team. We've been here over a year and still waiting for resolution on some issues. At this point it's the principal but there are some issues like drainage (or lack of) that turn our backyard into a swamp. They did a quick fix which just moved the problem to a different part of the yard. But we had issues w/our old builder as well so I don't think it's just VM but we've been unhappier w/VM customer service (lack of call backs, oh oops the guy you were supposed to meet isn't in and we didn't tell you) that kind of thing. Probably not all inclusive to VM either. Construction quality on all new homes (regardless of builder) seems under par compared to what it used to be.

     
  7. snoopy

    snoopy Senior Member

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    Our experience might not the norm but we had an excellent experience with WM.... We had couple of minor issues with our SFH during our 60 day and they setup an appointment ( 1 week from the walk through date) and addressed/fixed all the items on our list in one day ... ( we had about 10 workers show up at once and work on their items ) ... So I worked from home that day and everything was corrected to my satisfaction...
     
  8. Pats_fan

    Pats_fan Former Resident

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    We have found the VM Customer Service Department to by abysmal. Same issues as others have experienced: lack of responsiveness, lack of callbacks, etc. Unless you threaten to (or do) go over the head of the first person you talk to at customer service, you tend to get blown off.

    That said, we thought the overall quality of our home was great and we really liked our construction manager and the VM QA personnel. And, once you could get Customer Service to actually send service personnel out to the house, we found those service people to be very friendly, competent and helpful.
     
  9. T8erman

    T8erman Well-Known Member

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    We live next door to Pats_Fan and we have found VM service to be acceptable. They responded immediately to a water related issue and provided pretty good turn-around for a couple other concerns.

    For a few other minor issues, we had to cll back a couple times to get resolution.

    Overall, we are pleased with the construction and the service.
     
  10. rdskns99

    rdskns99 New Member

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    I currently live in a VM single family, and own a M&S townhouse as an investment down in Bristow, Va. Maybe it is the area, but the VM customer service is by far better than M&S. VM was flexible with the walk thru list up to a week after we moved in as we found small issues. With the M&S walk thru, that was it... if it was not listed, you waited for you 2month walk. At VM, I had my reps cell number. at M&S, i had to go to the sales office and they would get intouch with my rep.....

    My experience says..... go with Van Metre....

    Good luck, it is always a tough decision....
    David
     
  11. steveruns26

    steveruns26 New Member

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    We were one of the early residents in the Southern Walk SF homes (near the Nature Center) and we had an absolutely horrendous experience with VM Customer Service. We moved into the house earlier than it was really ready (not by choice, since we had sold our old house and it was the end of the year). They were so busy trying to finish more homes, they did not have a clue (or concern) about the customer satisfaction of those early ones that settled. We fought with them on just about everything, and had some positively ridiculuous situations. All of that said, we do love our home and neighborhood. VM seems to know that they are sitting on a gold mine, and will sell more houses in spite of themselves and their service.
     
  12. teak

    teak New Member

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    Here's my experience. I currently live in a M&S townhouse in SouthernWalk. Was also a M&S owner in the past. Probably the ones you're thinking about. Build quality is very good. My home inspector was very pleased with the drywall workmanship. There are some minor issues but nothing too bad. Warranty is good, no real complaints.

    I don't know if you know but M&S is probably sold out as of today. I was interested in upgrading to the bigger TH but only one was left as of this Sat. maybe gone by now. I think there's only 2 left of the Cobblestone series. 2 1-car garage, the model being one of them with a price tag about $525k.

    I was about to buy a VM except the sales people treated me like I wasn't serious. Well drove down to the M&S and bought one. I forgot her name but she acted like I didn't deserved her time. Maybe it was the way I was dressed?

    -Teak
     
  13. vacliff

    vacliff "You shouldn't say that."

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    tlgreen58-
    Make life easy on yourself and stay right where you're at. Besides, I hear you got a great neighbor![8D]
     
  14. tlgreen58

    tlgreen58 New Member

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    We do have a great neighbor:)!
    And we're going to miss him.
    But Tumbeltree Terr. is just around the corner.
     
  15. clwjl5

    clwjl5 New Member

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    We have owned an M&S townhome for almost 3 years. We have been very pleased with construction, sales and warranty service. We have looked at the Wyndmere townhomes they are currently selling and are considering purchasing. Which based on an earlier reply we may be too late and have to wait for a resale.
     
  16. kat

    kat New Member

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    The sales team with Miller and Smith is much better than VM. We found VM to be very snobby and not a care in the world about the customer. I do know people that have been pleased with VM's quality of construction, but that is only b/c they stayed on them the entire time. Even one of their high end models- estate collection- had a problem with the basement flooding. I think all builders have to be watched... they have so many crews coming and going. I have also noticed that when an older Miller & Smith is up for sale, the realtor normally advertises this.Anyway, Good luck-
     
  17. teak

    teak New Member

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    I agree Kat, Miller and Smith's sales team is a world of a difference. They treated me very well even though I wasn't their normal buyer type.

    Oh Miller and Smith in Broadlands is SOLD OUT. I'm sure M&S took away some business from VM.

    -Teak
     

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