I am in Indianapolis but have not sold any of their homes. I looked at their web site and checked the BBB for any complaints about them. From their pricing and square foot, they appear to be similar to Davis Homes.

Their web site states the standard 2/10 builders warranty and 90 day satisfaction guarantee.

Most of these tract builders offer Realtors 3% to 5% commission, but I can't be sure what Westport offers.

I try to avoid these tract builders unless a buyer really wants to look. I feel they are a part of the foreclosure/mortgage crisis we are experiencing today...put a young, first time buyer into a home with no money out of pocket with an interest only or ARM and move on to the next buyer.

Sorry about the lack of info, but one way to look at is they have not caused any big news stories about shoddy or sub-standard construction. They are in a large number of communities here, mostly in the outlying areas of Marion County/Indianapolis proper.

Hi Vicki,

Good question.  The only way to see what they are doing is going to their sites and observing the construction.  

There was a development that has headed south because they installed windows that lasted only 10 years, siding that made to 15 years, shingles that while the name brand is good, they used inferior type shingles for the wind and weather conditions and most people had to replace their shingles after seven years.  

Framing is not just framing.  Are they using an inferior wood product that is not up to standard grade?  Are they using chipboard for their subflooring and at what thickness?  1/2? which could only be 3/8" - or 3/4"?

All this comes into play.  The best way is to observe, learn, look, listen and then investigate and speak with authority.  

I'm selling a condo right now that is quality.  There is a development just east of me and the windows, roof, framing, kitchen cabinetry just make code and that's about it.  Compare apples to apples.

Don't look at how they are effecting your price but turn the page on them by knowing what they are building and the tide turns your way.  It always does.  I've seen it over and over again.

I reconstruct homes in Chicago and I exceed code, work with the manufacturers in understanding their product usage better.  Your reputation follows the type of product you deliver.  Those homes up north, every last house has a problem with heat being delivered to one of the bedrooms.  They have been redone for what cost?  The builder shut down.

Hold firm.  Sorry, I'm not in your area but you are right on it!

Hi Vicki

Most of what I do is new homes/condo/high rise, in GA and FL

This is what I say to buyers and about builders, kinda simple no matter what area they are in.

Most if not all builders buy the same building materials from the local suppliers within there areas, the sheet rock the concrete suppliers, lumber, plumbing, electrical of the same quality etc.

Then once again the builders use the local labor craftsmen's to build there homes, framing crews, plumbers, electricians and HVAC contractors so and so forth.

So, "Vicki Owens Finest Home Builders" quality is the same as your competitions homes since all basically used the local market labor and material, with the exception of a specks homes, customs homes with upgrades and even then the same suppliers and labor pool are pretty much the same.

Building inspectors take care of the building /assembly part to meet local and state codes and issues the CO.

Regional and local builders are on the same playing field when they move into town, the problems start when the superintendents fluff off and not follow through with there subs, bad workmanship comes into play, and if there is a manufacturing default in the materials/appliances used.

The newer builders  moving in have a disadvantage  no reputation in your area  Vs the older establish ones in your area with reputations, but they were new once to the area.

These are just my experiences  in the field, so I hope it may have help you just a little Vicki.

Vance:)

Westport is in Fort Wayne.  I think the owner is from hear.  The story I hear is that he was a owner of Crossman and when they sold out to Beazer, he took his money and started Westport.  

They are no different than a Crossman or a Beazer home.  They build a lot of home for the money, BUT you sacrifice quality.  They are a cheap built home with no frills.

Personally I would not live in one.  But for a first time homebuyer who wants or needs a big house for little money, it works for them.  

These neighborhoods in Fort Wayne have VERY high foreclosure rates.  Crossman would hit the appartment complexes hard and that is where their buyers came from.  

I have had an experience with Westport in Indianapolis/Avon. We are currently building with them and have been very impressed. This is the second home that we have built. Our sales consultant has been wonderful. She is very detailed and our construction super has been great too.  We even hired a private inspector and he has had no items during his inspections. He has also been impressed with the quality. The one thing we really liked about Westport was that we didn't have to pay extra for everything. They have much nicer included features than most of the other builder and they let us change structural things. Our 3rd car garage was included and so was their deluxe bath. They also use good name windows, floors, faucets, etc....

Our lot is beautiful and big and our home is coming along very nicely. They have all been great to work with. I would refer ANYONE to our sales team. I know that she can work with people in any part of the city too. She is at the community in Avon on SR 267 called Hickory Mill. Our realtor loves her too. She always follows up and remembers everything that we did to the house.  I noticed your comment about the "cut throat" and we never experienced that. That's terrible. From our last build, a good sales person who cares and good construction team make or break you from ever building a home again. We have been very happy, like I said, and I recommend giving her a call.

I agree with M. Anderson as far as the local onsite representative.  We built in Summerlin Trails, Fishers, IN and can't say enough good for the great customer service Jasmine provided.  However, don't expect to get help from the corporate Westport office.

When it came time for the end of first year inspection, we had punctured nails in the ceilings throughout our 3,000 sq ft home.  They sent someone to "repair".  I wasn't home and didn't realize that all they had done was hammer the nails back in and cover up with spackle.  Everyone of the nails have come back out.  First of all, nails should not be used...screws are to be used.  I called right away to Westport, but got no response.

Also, very poor paint job.  There are places in the house that the walls and trim were spray painted the same color.  Also alot of poor workmanship on the wood trim.  We had a situation in our immediate family that caused us to have to sign the release so that a family member could move in temporarily, otherwise there would have been alot of repainting and rebuilding.  We have upgraded, repainted and repaired alot on our own that should have been the responsibility of the builder.

On one last note to give an example of poor customer service from the Westport corporate office:

A home is being built across the street from our home.  A concrete truck hit our mailbox and damaged it extensively to the point the lid will not stay properly closed and it is laying half way down forward towards the road.  I was told this past Monday a work order was submitted and it should be taken care of quickly.  I called today, which is Friday, to let the Westport rep know that it was still not replaced.  I was told, in a very cold manner that the work order was submitted and there was nothing she could do about it?  Nothing she could do about it???  I contacted my attorney today.  Sad.

Customer service will separate quickly the builders in our current economy.  I hope this helps anyone who is looking to build a home with any builder.  Go look at houses being built.  Don't base your judgement on quality by the model homes.

I just had my 1-year anniversary of my home built by Westport Homes here in Indianapolis.  I have not had a good experience with them, and wish so much that I had not built with them.  Shoddy work...everything was so hurried, even my walk-thrus. Biggest problem is getting them to fix things that they clearly did wrong, like using white caulk on black marble countertops, sawing my beautiful cabinet trim molding in half and then gluing it back together in the middle, thinking it would be just fine.  My brand new water heater does not give me enough hot water, and they will not replace it no matter what. They weasled their way out of fixing all kinds of things. When they don't want to talk to you about your concerns, they just walk out and say, "we are finished here".  Warranty Coordinator is very rude and extremely defensive and hard to deal with. They sure were nice to me before my closing date. I've pretty much decided that I'm going to have to call my lawyer, even though  I don't want to have to do that.  Others in our neighborhood have voiced some of the same concerns and are thinking about getting legal help, too.  They make you feel like you are a criminal when you ask them to fix things...like they are offended.  I would really check around with several builders.  I personally would not recommend this builder.  I live in Sumerlin Trails community in Fishers, IN.  The woman who works on site (saleslady) in our neighborhood is very nice and always very nice and cares about all the neighbors in the community...unfortunately I was not lucky to have had her for my sales person; I had someone else that was more interested in getting to one of the other more upscale communities in Carmel IN.  Sorry to have to be a bummer, but this is one builder I won't ever again deal with or recommend.

I have built with Westport in Pickaway County Ohio.  Everything goes great until the walk through and you find out they cut corners, put in cheaper products, things are broken, etc.  We never got our 30 day walk through, they fired a bunch of employees who were trying to make things right, we have 2 broken windows, our contract states we are to have nickle fixtures, they put in brass, nails are comming out of the wall, fuses are blowing, our front door lock has a gap which makes it unsecure, our cabinets are chipped,  we got cheap products when our contract states we were to get the upgrades.  They have a clause that states they can change the product after we sign.  It also states that if we change anything after 14 days of signing that we have to pay $300 change fee because our products are already ordered.  To that effect, there is no way that the cheaper things can be put in your house if it was ordered 14 days after you signed your contract.   If you do choose to build with Westport, be there every 2 to 3 days and stay on top.  Do not back down.  I am about to start legal recourse against Westport for breech of contract.