I just went through my own builder issue (before contract). I can't offer any advice.. but that just seems weird.. and stupid on there part?! Good luck.

Production builder. Enough said. You don’t get anything out of the specs without paying quadruple for it.

The actual work of pulling the cable will be done by the 3rd party - no? One cable looks much the same as another to the non-tech eye. Buy the actual cable yourself and hand it to the installers. They aren't doing any "extra" work and won't care...most likely they will happily find another home for the unused stuff.

Sophie echoes my thoughts on tract builders, they would throw their Mom under a bus for an extra $50....they'd add their wife & kids for $500.

@Chiflipper, I was thinking the same thing about working with the installer.. but I would feel bad if someone someone found out and the guy lost his job.

He wouldn't. He is not doing any extra labor so he's not cheating his employer. If I want a carpenter to use a specific nail, and I'm supplying the nails, it doesn't change the labor involved.

@Chiflipper - I see your point and that's how I would like to be if I ever build :D

Sophie and chiflipper,

I would love to tell you that you are right, but you don't understand just how insane they are. I told them I will pay whatever it takes. They told me there is no amount of money I can pay them that will change their minds. I told them I would buy the cable myself and provide it to the installer. I would even hire a lawyer to draft up paperwork that absolves them of all liability related to the installation and performance of the network cable. They said they are not willing to entertain that offer.

That's the point where they told me that some customers find that they are not the right fit for a particular builder, and they would be looking into cancelling my contract and refunding my $3000 deposit.

I could see them doing this if house prices have risen and they could sell your house for substantially more.

Anthony,

You may be onto something. Maybe someone approached them looking for a lot to build a $400k house, and they're trying to weasel out of my contract. I'm disappointed in myself for not thinking evilly enough to consider that. It's the only thing that makes any kind of sense. We haven't even broken ground yet.

Another thought. They wanted out with you. You are too picky for them - wanting a specific type of internet cable - oh boy, what else are you going to want during the build?

They may have figured out that you are not going to be happy with a production builder and they would have an unsatisfied customer. This cable thing gave them an excuse.

Back in the day (1999), I just wired it myself despite that being against the rules. Relatively laid back situation where I seem to remember I was given a yellow light by the super.

The whole production model sucks. But if you want to be in a new neighborhood in most area, that is what you have to do. I once had the idea to gather a number of people and buy a large tract of land - sort of a co op development. Then you can get the price down, have a new neighborhood, and control the build.

You went straight to HIS installer to negioate an install. That is not up to the installer, it is up to the developer. Obviously a minor portion of the project but you and the installer broke the proper chain of command. If one does it and tells others pretty soon he loses control over all the subs. It is not the wiring nor the $25 per drop it is the fact that you and the installer circumvented the proper protocal, period. It is also very possible that that installer will never work for the developer again.

millworkman,

You misunderstand the process. They have a design center where you go to pick out your appliances, counters, flooring, etc. During that process, the security company rep is there too. The developer sends you to the room where the installer is to talk about what you want done, such as audio pre-wire, data drops, etc. I didn't go to the installer, they sent me to him. I just asked him a question of how I can upgrade to Cat6a during the DEVELOPER'S process. The developer didn't want to talk to me about any of the low-voltage stuff because she said the security company handled everything related to that.

I'm not going to bring up the names of the companies, but the installer is MUCH bigger than the developer. There is a chance they could force the developer to give me what I want, so my fingers are crossed that this may still work out.

That is bizarre, even for a production builder. A colleague of mine recently built with a builder’s plan with slight mods and had them install Cat6a. The builder said no one had asked for it in a residential build yet, so found it annodd request for them, but they made sure that is what the subcontractor installed.

Keep us posted - I love hearing how these sorts of things work themselves out. These days I'd believe anything about this industry.

Contractors fire customers all the time that are going to be troublesome picky PIAs Pretty sure it is what happened here.

I wouldn’t want to live in a house that was built so grudgingly. Sets off alarm bells for me.

Nice one, Sophie. It's not like I've pulled out a meat thermometer at a restaurant to complain that my steak isn't perfectly cooked to spec. A house is the biggest purchase a person will ever make. I don't think you should have such a cavalier attitude about it.

Having come from and married into a familiy in the construction business, I do agree that some customers are annoying. However, if they have a specific request and will do what they can on their part to facilitate the request (pay extra, provide materials etc) that does not make them a picky, PIA. Even some of the highly skilled professionals are not always ethical and do not always have the customers best interest at heart. This is especially true in a big city where they can just go on to the next unassuming homeowner. Trust me, i've seen it over and over again. If the homeowner is willing to pay the price and what they are requesting can be done, what's wrong with accommodating that? The best companies do quality work AND work just as hard on customer satisfaction.

dbrad,

It was pretty anti-climactic. I got an email from the builder saying they are exercising their right to terminate the contract. I'll be getting my entire deposit back. My realtor said she is glad for me, and she has already found several listings of existing homes that are so much better than the new build would have been. I'm happy to be done with them.

Next time, do a custom build. Not a production build. The price will be higher, but you’re paying for the ability to customize whatever you want. Production builders won’t even let you change the color of the paint.

John, you dodged a bullet. Sounds like you're a nerd like me, so re-watch the first Matrix movie this weekend and watch yourself move like an agent.

Lucky you to be done with this. Move on and lesson learned