How many change orders have you had?

We bought our current home 30 years ago when it was barely in the framing stage. From the time we signed the contract to when we moved in was 4 months and a week or so.

The builder was building the homes in order of lot number, not the date of contract. That is, Lot #1, then Lot #2, then Lot #3, and so on. However, the builder did "rush ahead" and finish two homes on lot numbers higher than ours because the buyers were pregnant and the builder wanted the families to be able to move in prior to the births of the babies. How can you argue with that?

And, as June just asked, how many change orders have you had? If no actual change orders, have you had the builder spend time correcting things that you found fault with during the construction? The crews (plumbing, electrical, etc.) move along together, so if they have to call a tradesperson back to fix or re-do something, that puts the other jobs behind. Maybe YOU didn't have change orders or corrections, buy maybe other buyers did, and that has ended up delaying your build.

But, to specifically address your question, "Can a builder finish an employee's home before yours when your home purchase agreement was put in before said employee?" -- Yes, unless it is written in your contract that the construction will proceed in order of signing date. Does your contract state that? If it does, what does it say about change orders and "re-do" work affecting that order?

Ahhh, thank you two for bringing perspective!! !Definitely made me consider things, that I may have overlooked!

The first home, we had no change orders and were still delayed closing while neighbors moved in first though we were told they wouldn't start a new building until they got a buyer under contract(which we were told was us at the time). It was a town home.

We did have change orders for our second new build, but nothing that would delay the home build (IMO but we all know what is said about opinions). Little things like grout color(this can be changed up until finishes we were told) and to just scratch having hardware put on cabinets. We did find two issues, one the incorrect door was ordered and the second, the gas line was forgotten to be put in.

We point out issues in advance to help them honestly(because at the end of the day we want what we will be paying for) and also our home will be brick, so knew it would hard to remove brick and then correct the issue(installing gas line). Maybe getting a plumber to fix this first throws a wrench in the wheel.

Will review our contract further before I can comment on if homes are being built according to lot #s. They let you choose your lot so this may not be the case but want to double check.

Forgetting a gas line is a big deal and could take time to fix. The door will also take time to be ordered and then installed. Those two things alone could be why you're seeing other houses built faster than yours.

You also mentioned some of the other houses were spec houses. The builder will want those completed quickly so he can sell them and profit.

Unless your contract has some very specific language about timelines for each specific part of the build, he can work on the other houses or yours as he decides.

Went back and checked, and didn't see any specifics to timeline. Our last builder didn't commit to anything either.

All of your inputs really helped! I had a feeling putting the gas line would be a bit of an issue but thought finding this out later after masonry would definitely push things back considering they had to cut through drywall and remove insulation and go almost up the entire wall vertically to add it. Not so bad because drywall has not bee painted but they did tape/mud/texture which will have to be re done now. before painting can get done.

If delays means better quality then guess I should be happy. With all of your perspectives, I can honestly say I am in a much better mood. We made the mistake of closing on a home before things were done but will not be doing that this time. Let just say, as y'all may know, it was not to our benefit. So, though we signed in April, if it is not done until December/January, then so be it.

Very insightful responses! Thanks again everyone!

To be honest, I hadn't realized you said the word employee when you wrote "Can a builder finish an employee's home before yours when your home purchase agreement was put in before said employee?" I even quoted it and hadn't realized you said employee. I was just thinking about a builder finishing another buyer's home first. But now, realizing that you were talking about an employee, my answer is an even more emphatic "yes." Especially if that employee works in a sales capacity for the builder - even at a different development - the builder is going to want a happy employee, because then the employee will be more likely to say wonderful things about the builder to prospective buyers. Different jobs/occupations have different "perks." If you work for a dermatologist, you get skin care products and lip fillers at a greatly reduced price. If you work for a CPA you may get your tax returns done for free (although you may have to request an extension to file because the paying customers might get theirs done first). If you work for a car dealership, you can buy a new car at a good discount, etc.

And I totally agree with you that it is better, easier, and less expensive for the builder to take care of the missing gas line now, during construction, rather than waiting until after the build is finished. We went through a somewhat similar-but-different hassle with the builder of our home. I would stop by the site every Friday on my way home from work, and I would take photos of the progress. And, when I would find things that had been done incorrectly, I would bring it to the attention of the construction foreman and insist that they fix it. The one item I was really adamant about was the height of the shower head in the master bathroom shower. My husband and I are not what anyone would consider tall -- he's 5' 10" and I was 5' 7" at that time (I've shrunk since then and am now 5' 5½"). But, after the plumbing crew had done their part and I came by for my weekly inspection, I thought the placement of the pipe stub for the shower head was too low. So, I got out my trusty tape measure and measured the distance from the floor to the pipe. Then I went into the model and measured. Sure enough, there was a large difference. I don't recall now what the difference was, but it was significant, and even I wouldn't have been able to comfortably wash my hair. I insisted that the builder had to have the plumbers re-do that pipe and I, like you, used the argument that it would be a whole lot easier for them to do it then, before the sheetrock and marble were installed than for them to have to remove it and then order a new slab of marble.

And, yes, a plumber has to be pulled off the work crew at another homesite to go back to yours to run a new gas line, and that has to be coordinated with the bricklayers, etc., etc.

So, pour yourself a glass of your favorite beverage, kick back, and relax. You'll have a wonderful home at the end of this adventure.