As soon as the locks went on, our gc gave both my DH and I keys. We could come and go when we needed to because it was our house. I guess some mass production builders do it the way you are describing. Our friends built with Winchester, who did a beautiful job, but she said it was very limited access until closing. If a production builder owns the site and the house and you haven't put down anything until closing I could somewhat see that. You have built with cash, it's your house! Please get some keys to your house. Your land, your house...seems like you should have access.

Have they built differently from your situation before, like the situation I described above? Is this an unusual thing for them? Regardless, I'll bet they will give you keys if you question them. Sometimes the evenings were the only times my DH and I could be here together, and we had the added benefit of no workers to get in the way of, and we could really take a look at what was done that day and discuss it freely.

Good luck!

Amy

Amy, this is a not a tract home builder, but a higher end home builder. In our area there are often homes built with cash, so us being a cash builder is also fairly common. They are willing to give us a key - but they were so hesitant, I just didn't push the topic further. They said this was their normal procedure, so I am just wondering... if this is normal with anyone else?

I remember in our first new home with a large builder, we could not get in once they started installing appliances - a few weeks before closing. And I really did want to start moving some stuff into the garage.

What they forgot was that the garage door keys were nailed up inside the garage - and amazingly enough - one of them jumped into my pocket. Once I had that key, I could get in whenever I wanted and I did move a few things into the garage (like lawn mower and some garden tools) before we got the CO, much to the displeasure of the county inspector. But we wern't moving in - just emptying some storage containers.

This particular county inspector then flunked us on the day we were closing and supposed to get our CO because I had a sprinkler system being installed on that day and he incorrectly believed that we needed a permit to have that done (only need a permit fot the plumbing tie in - not the lawn pipes, at that time). So he failed us for some bull crap reason and would not give us the CO.

Since I had the garage key, i moved in anyway and then when I was done moving, drove over to see the head county inspector, explained the situation, and then got my CO. It was quite an ordeal but I am glad that I had the key - it would have been a disaster if we could not move in on that particular day. And it was to my great pleasure to poke the inspector who flunked us in the eye - he was an absolute jerk.

Our builder put a lock box on it and we'd just call him for the code. He changed the code a lot, I'm guessing for the different subs.

Just because they say it's "normal procedure" doesn't make it right, or even legal. Your property, your house, and THEY are locking YOU out for THEIR protection? Get that key.

As soon as locks went on our doors, a key went into a lockbox and keys given to us so we have always had access. That is however until they changed the locks (per our request due to an error) and "forgot" to leave a new key in the lockbox. We broke the door down. It's OUR HOUSE. No one should be locking you out of your own property. You're paying, you own it, not the builder.

We did a custom build but it belonged to our builder until we closed. We were often locked out, but I didn't mind because I felt it was a security measure against theft. I guess I could have asked for a key, but instead, I visited during working hours. Never felt it was a problem.

Jo

We always had a key. We owned the land and it was a custom build and the builder worked for us.

Towards the end, the builder got sloppy and left keys behind columns out in plain view for the subs.

Every time he did this, I took each key. I told the builder since all appliances and light fixtures were in, he needed to let the subs in himself or let me do it. Since I was there practically everyday, I let the subs in.

Once we moved in, we had the locks re keyed.

I would definitely have a hard time being locked out but we also own the lot and are providing all the money for the build. In my mind, our GC is working for us and we should have the right to enter the home at anytime. We aren't quite to the point where we are able to lock things up, but once we are, are GC has assured us he will get us a key before locking things. I'm pretty sure he knows I'd be pretty hot to drive out to the site and not be able to get into my house.

As a builder, I learned early to strictly limit access by buyers when all they had was a deposit on a home being built with my financing on my lot. Two or three accompanied visits are all they officially get. If they should drop over on a weekend, gain access and come to harm, they're trespassers.

Under project management, I'm an employee. It's the owner's liability insurance that will come into play if they're hurt. And if they want something done, redone, whatever, it's their buck, their decision.

As to the OP, I've not built that way. But the builder's explanation makes perfect sense to me. I've had homeowners suggest dangerous/illegal/absurd changes they'd like done. And tract guys have told me stories of helpful "homeowners" sneaking into "their" homes to do modifications. Or just hanging around annoying the trades no end. And some of the trades are non-verbal sorts, whose first reaction is not debate, but a smack on the head!

When I sign a contract to buy or lease a new motor vehicle, I don't assume I can drop down to Tennessee (or Mexico) to see how it's coming along.

I can see restricting access when the builder owns the house, but we own the land and have paid 5 out 7 total draws... I do like to look, plan and talk ALONE without the subs all around. Our builder WILL give us a key, but normal policy is "no key". As from what I am reading, this is not so normal! Thanks everyone for your input.

tinker- you have every right to do so, unless you gave up that right as part of your contract. We specifically wrote into our contract that we, or an agent of us, have unlimited access to our property and construction. I would very much question why the normal policy is no key if these are custom builds where the owner is footing the bills...what are they hiding?

Is the builder's normal policy "no key" on custom builds where you've paid? Because that seems odd, but I could understand that their policy may apply also for spec/tract homes, which makes a lot more sense for reasons posted here.

FWIW, we own our house and are having significant renovations. Locked out only once, the day the locks got changed. But that was just an oversight by contractor.

You definately want a key, especially if you are doing any of the finish work yourself.

We were at the house a lot during the final 2 months looking at the work and planning. I also was up there installing lights and other electronics including the alarm system which I partially connected once we had expensive items in the house. I gave the trim carpenters a temporary pass code to the security system so they could set and disable the alarm - they were typically at the house first thing every morning to let the subs in and if they couldn't make it for some reason, I let them in.

I think for the larger residential home builders, their policy is typically no key until after closing but there are usually ways around this.

i can see both sides of this.

look at it this way, if you or other people have access to the house beside jsut the workers, then if something gets broken or damaged, the fingers poiint in all directions. with ONLY the builder having access, it is 100% on his head to fix the issue.

having said that, if i was paying cash for a build, i WOULD have a key. policy or not, it is my house the entire time so i will have access to come and go as i please.

also, i would have had them install a similar but CHEAP set of locks during the build. then change them out when you move in. heck i change the access code on our house every time my wife gives it to her brother. i am just the type tha ti want to KNOW who can enter my house when we ar enot there.

yes, there are 2 sides and this reason's davidandkasie explained does make sense! However, I haven't been to the house in a week because 1 haven't had time during the day to run there, and at night - it's locked. I do now have a key and plan on a visit tonight!