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Van Metre's Secretary Contact Info Needed

Discussion in 'General Chat Forum' started by joerig, Feb 9, 2005.

  1. joerig

    joerig New Member

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    Awhile ago, I saw someone post Van Metre's secretary's contact info, but I can't find it via search. Can anyone help? We've sent a letter, but have gotten no response.

    I'm fed up with the lies I've been told since signing my contract and what has actually happened with my lot. What I was told would happen, is not happening, and working with Van Metre and the County has gotten nowhere.

    Thanks for the help.

    Joe
     
  2. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

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    I would actually like to hear about the problems you are having, mind sharing? There might be someone out here that can team up with you on your complaints. It took a whole side of a street of homeowners to get a grading issue taken care of.

     
  3. joerig

    joerig New Member

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    Thanks for the response. Don't get me started on grading issues, I was told by the county that it's the soil and not a grading problem. Did they come out and re-grade? My front yard is a swamp, my back yard is a lake.

    My main issue is with the new section of Claiborne Parkway. I was originally told there'd be landscaping to shield our lot (we back up to Claiborne) and am now told there won't be due to space limitations with the bike path. I'd be fine if it was just Claiborne, but there is a cross street with oncoming traffic and headlights (Avonworth?)that will come directly into my house. And they're contractors have a habit of sitting there at 6 in the morning with their lights shining in my house. (and yes, cause some idiot will say close the blinds, I have 2 year old twins. Curiosity and blinds equals no go.)

    I was also told the retaining wall would be a natural retaining wall and there would be drains set up and the water wouldn't sit on the Wetlands for more than 2-3 days. Well, they constructed some wood monstrocity that is holding in more water. The drains seem to be too high to really drain anything.

    The County has told me there's nothing they can do. I've spoken to some neighbors, and Van Metre had lied to them about this as well.

    Short of heading to Mr. Van Metre's house and shining my lights inside so that he knows how it feels, I'm trying to figure out other options.
     
  4. snoopy

    snoopy Senior Member

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    joerig, do you remember who told you this ? I have experienced different Van Metre people singing different tunes several times ... I gather you did not get this in writing / via e-mail or something ? :( Hate when I'm lied to but sometimes it helps if we have some proof when it comes to fighting with builders ...
     
  5. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

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    Without writing it's tough. You will have to study your survey that is on file with the county and look at all the paperwork you have concerning your home. Somewhere in there should be something about grading issues.

    The house behind us was suppose to be on a steep hill. They put in a pool so VM regraded their yard to be flat. The only problem is their land is higher than ours so when it rains guess what????

     
  6. hberg

    hberg give me some of your tots

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    There is also a story floating around about someone who put a sign in his yard (you had to pass it along the way to the models) that said before you buy from Van M. talk to me first. I think his issues were resolved with a visit at his home by Mr. VM. But again this could be urban legend.
     
  7. joerig

    joerig New Member

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    Trust me, if nothing gets resolved there will be some kind of sign as new home contruction starts and prospective buyers come down Claiborne. My deck was just built, and I have 20 feet to play around with that has a nice clear view to Claiborne.

    I was told by my sales agent. When I voiced concerns, he told me to call the county, which I did and they reiterated. My main concerns were with the landscaping plans and wetlands, and I was told it would be similar to what they do near the houses currently on Claiborne parkway. The county told me about the wetlands when I asked about potential west nile issues and their spraying plans and they said that the water in that area should not sit for more than 2 days. I have his name in my notes, but the county is not email friendly and unfortunately, don't have it in writing. I think the plans may have been changed and I'm trying to find that out. I was never told of any plan changes.

    My neighbors were also told something similar, and this retaining wall and landscaping issue has become an annoyance since it loks like crap, they haven't worked on it lately, and debris is all over the wetlands.
     
  8. sunnydog

    sunnydog New Member

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    it's legit. happened in 2000.
     
  9. neilz

    neilz New Member

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    And, because the sign was in violation of the HOA rules on signs, they were told to take it down. It happened on Vestal's Gap, and VM did come out to adjust alot of the issues.

    However, one of the issues was that the kitchen was not exactly the way the model was. Something about the countertops and the molding. Trouble is, they didn't have a leg to stand on here, the contract specifically said that minor design differences between the model and the built house are within a margin of error allowed. And by signing the contract you acknowledged this.

    I'd get a good look at the contract you signed, any addendums, and see exactly what was promised in writing. If all else fails, you can do what we did, send a certified, return receipt letter to Mr. Al Van Metre.

    We got a phone call not long after to arrange for fixes.

    Here's the address:
    VM Corporate Headquarters:
    5252 Lyngate Ct. | Burke,VA 22015
    1-703-425-2600


    Neil Z.
    Resident since 1999
     
  10. joerig

    joerig New Member

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    Thanks Neil for the response and the info. I spoke with Maureen in the HOA, and she told me to write her a letter requesting to address the board. We sent a letter to Mr. Van Metre, but not certified, I'll do that next. I did send an email to Roy from Van Metre, so we'll see if he responds and what happens.

    Thanks again everyone, and I'll let you all know.
     
  11. JenCo

    JenCo New Member

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    This is an email we've received from VM a little while ago. We're just working out scheduling details but hope to get some resolutions. I blasted them on the survey & someone called w/in a few hours to scheduled time to discuss:


    Hello,

    By way of introduction, let me explain that I act as Van Metre's "Inspector General". I act as an independent set of ears for our owners. The purpose of this email is two-fold: first, to provide you with some useful information, and secondly to solicit your satisfaction with our New Homes Warranty Service. In return for your response, I'll advise New Homes Customer Service that you have responded and I will request that two (2) complimentary movie theatre tickets be disbursed to you.

    We know that building and moving into a new home can sometimes be a bit overwhelming. At Van Metre, we want everything to go right, the first time. All of us are committed to making that happen. When someone asks about your building experience, we want you to feel that we earned your highest score. If that is ever not the case, we want to hear from you.

    If a warranty service issue develops, your first best bet is to deal directly with the professionals in the Customer Service department. If you determine additional management awareness and escalation of a particular issue is appropriate, the escalation hierarchy within New Homes Customer Service is as follows:

    1) Beverley Connor, Assistant Director of Customer Service, phone 703 723 2803, email address bconner@vanmetrehomes.com

    2) if necessary, Bill Darne, Vice President of Customer Service, phone 703 723 2800, Ext. 831, email address bdarne@vanmetrehomes.com

    We can usually resolve your concerns at the lowest level in the escalation hierarchy. If additional management awareness is necessary, I would also recommend that you please send an email to CustomerCareExec@vanmetrehomes.com. (Note: This email address includes Van Metre New Homes Division senior management).

    If you ever feel that greater attention is necessary, I want you to know that I am here too. I report directly to the owners of Van Metre, totally separate from the home building division. The roll of the Inspector General (IG) organization is not to direct the work of New Homes Customer Service, nor does the IG department supplant New Homes Customer Service's responsibility as regards their charter to plan, schedule, and execute any work to be performed in a timely and responsible fashion. I hope you will never have a situation that requires you to call me, but if you need a friendly ear, please contact me.

    Lastly, in the spirit of providing the best possible experience, I am also writing to solicit your feedback. I’m asking for your feedback on your most recent Warranty Service through an E1Survey. The one-page E1Survey is simple, very brief, and designed to help us understand how we can better service you our customer. E1Surveys supports the department of the Inspector General (IG) at the Van Metre Companies. E1Surveys is designed to provide independent and/or confidential assessments of customer satisfaction for the Van Metre Companies. (Please note that if your response is anonymous, I will not know whom to designate as the recipient of the tickets). Eligibility for the complimentary tickets only requires that you take the survey within two (2) weeks - one award per family. If you have any questions, or need additional information or clarification, please feel free to contact me.

    Ready to offer feedback on your recent service? Please click here - http://members.aol.com/e1surveys/NewHomes.

    Thanks and best regards,

    Robin Merrell
    Inspector General
    703-425-2600 x230
    703-991-6232 facsimile
    rmerrell@vanmetrehomes.com
    www.VanMetreHomes.com
     
  12. joerig

    joerig New Member

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    Thank you so much for the info! I wish I had this info during my 60 Day Walk through. I was never given any of this info when complaining about items and having to have them redone again and again.

    Robin will receive an email shortly. Thanks again!
     
  13. JenCo

    JenCo New Member

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    This information was emailed to us out of the blue. We're still waiting on pending 1 year walk-through items. Good Luck!

     
  14. peace

    peace New Member

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    Hi Jen - How did you get this email out of the blue? good info.
     
  15. Gun Ohna

    Gun Ohna New Member

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    You know it's ironic that all this is happening. I am a current resident renting an apartment in the Southern Walk apartment complex. One of the reasons my wife and I chose this apartment was the fact we could get a house later on. We have recently been having a problem with parking at the apartments. I have contacted the property manager numerous times over the last 2 months to no avail. What I want to know is who I should contact now. Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
     
  16. lilpea

    lilpea Member

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    I am sorry to hear about the struggle. We can share in the frustration. We have a corner lot (backing to Claibore)...Days after we went to settlement, Van Metre removed the "natural privacy" wall...excuse was future street light and future traffic light. The black tarp/wood around the drain (which blocks most of the drain)...it may have something to do with the property has not been released/bond...but other HOA board members will be able to speak to this.

    In the end Van Metre did not put the burn/natural wall back and did limited landscaping. We tried to escalte, but had little traction. I am sorry that I don't have "good news", but for what it's worth I wanted to share our similar experience. Best of luck
     

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