thanks for all the feedback. our builder does not own the home, but technically, according to my realtor we don't either. we own the land it sits on, and we have the construction loan, but because the construction loan is interest only, she said we don't really own it yet until it converts. but we own it more than my builder does. again, our contract makes NO reference to photos. i would like to think that if things are still sour at the very end, that by simply requesting that they not use photos of our house, they would comply. i wouldn't have that conversation (in writing) until the house is completely done. that said, it would go against every fiber of my builder's being to do a shoddy job finishing the house. i have ZERO complaints about the quality of the materials or the construction. what has gone downhill is the relationship side with management of expectations, as well as them not keeping their word, and by word, i mean email documentation of things we've asked for and mutually agreed to. regardless of them emailing saying one thing and we're all in agreement, when it becomes an inconvenience to execute, or they've made a mistake and gone in a different direction, they refer back to the ORIGINAL contract that we signed with different instructions and disregard newer discussions as they weren't on a formal document with signatures. also after everything being fair and expected throughout the process, they're trying to price gouge us on a few items that they don't want to take on, such as paint colors other than "builder beige." I got my own paint estimate from a painter that comes highly recommended by two family members. the quote was $400. my builder quoted $1675 because he just doesn't want to do it, but he won't leave it off and credit us for that portion of work, and he won't let our guy get in until after occupancy. so it delays our move-in, and we're paying to paint twice. just a couple examples - last week it was about 5 issues all at once, and not handled at all gracefully. i'm still hoping things get back on a better track. my realtor has advised us to stop taking calls and in person meetings and to get everything from them in writing on company letterhead with their signatures. i have no interest in making this uglier than it needs to be or to take on battle after battle for the duration of this project. i'm not looking to bad mouth anybody, but i also won't let them disregard our wishes if they have no contractual rights to the photos. i would think the possibility that i COULD leave a comment if they use the photos against our wishes would dissuade them and am hopeful this is all moot and things turn around before move-in.

I am at the end of a build on a 3800 square foot build in berlin ct. My builder has done work in farmington and westhartford, and cromwell. He is the best!!!!! Tony Olivera he owns TDJ construction. He has to be the most meticoulouse honest builder or contractor I have ever run across. Let me know if you want more info

For the benefit of anyone pursuing a similar path, it's worth defining terms: A "quote" should be a firm price to construct and/or remodel a home based on detailed plans and specifications. The detailed plans and specs should clearly articulate the scope of work (please don't let this devolve into the designer vs. architect argument. I don't care who prepares them as long as they are complete, accurate and the details of construction comply with the current building code.) Quotes will sometimes include cost allowances for items that a client gets to select. Allowances can be a potential problem area, but you can avoid that by simply shopping beforehand and testing whether the suggested allowances are in line with your particular selections. If they're not, get them adjusted up front. An "estimate" is someone's best guess at what you might spend for a scope of work with little or no definition and usually without any plans. Estimates routinely get folks--builders, remodelers and homeowners alike--into trouble because they are usually guesses and the most credible estimate (guess) is invariably the lowest one.

The question is...does it matter? I think it does, because words matter. We throw around words on this board constantly when we really mean other things, and I too am guilty of this. Custom really doesn't mean custom when used on this board, it means architect. So someone who maybe isn't experienced on this board may see the word "custom" and think they designed their house from the ground up, therefore it is very custom. When most posters really mean the house needs someone with professional design experience and some measure of talent to guide you through the design process or actually design the home. ----------- Also a better understanding of the differentiation can lead to better advice. In the area I was born in (an area that I still own land in), the major tract builder can build a 4,000 square foot house for under $280,000. If you can't differentiate between a tract and production builder, it is hard to understand how that is possible. ----------- Finally, I am not sure this board does a great job these days of helping people build a home. I might be alone in this, but I would prefer a well built, poorly designed home over a poorly built, well designed home. We focus so much on the design process and the freedom you have to make selections that we sometimes miss the real tragedy of production and tract builders, the shortcuts they take in construction in order to deliver those appealing prices. While I agree custom homes are better than semi-custom and semi-custom is better than production, etc., the real quality cutoff for me is control of the how the walls are built rather than where they are built. For me this is the biggest draw for an architect and the thing rarely touched on, but may actually pay dividends far into the future that make architects not only affordable, but profitable for those value conscious consumers. Again, this is just my opinion.