New Flash: NDI Stopped building their cheap line homes you can stop hating on their quality now

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NDI is a low cost builder focusing on smaller homes on smaller lots. Just increasing their basic trim level doesn't change this fact. The most expensive home they build has a base price of only $380k. Some of the other low-budget items that remain include:

- 8' basement ceiling, remember that basement ceilings are subject to having lowered bulkheads for ventilation and other pipes.
- Only brick front, with vinyl siding. Not even hardiplank. Wow.
- Only partial hardwood on the first floor
- 6-inch tile floors in secondary bathrooms

This is not going to be a luxurious home. It'll be very much a "standard" home.

You can upgrade ndi homes from all the standard features , but those few things don't account for the extra 600k the so called custom builders are raping people for.

All the standard features are light years ahead most of the old construction homes.

[Anonymous]

Yes only the poors build houses like this http://www.newdimensionsinc.com/component/phocagallery/32-the-vienna/detail/464-vienna1.html?tmpl=component&detail=0&buttons=1

[Anonymous]

What makes you think the quality improved because NDI is using higher end finishes? They still use the same subs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What makes you think the quality improved because NDI is using higher end finishes? They still use the same subs

Well the lower level of plans and materials have been eliminated. Also most builders use the same subs so that doesn't really make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Also keep in mind NDI builds just to code, whereas most custom builders build beyond code. The upgraded construction costs alone can add $25-$50 psf to the core costs, while higher end systems (HWH, HVAC, etc.) can easily run twice as much as even an upgraded builder finish. Comparing small-scale mass produced (which is what NDI is) and custom are completely apples to oranges.

There is nothing wrong with NDI's model, which obviously works well for them as a business and people keep buying, which keeps them in business. It's just completely different than a custom home builder model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also keep in mind NDI builds just to code, whereas most custom builders build beyond code. The upgraded construction costs alone can add $25-$50 psf to the core costs, while higher end systems (HWH, HVAC, etc.) can easily run twice as much as even an upgraded builder finish. Comparing small-scale mass produced (which is what NDI is) and custom are completely apples to oranges.

There is nothing wrong with NDI's model, which obviously works well for them as a business and people keep buying, which keeps them in business. It's just completely different than a custom home builder model.

I call bull shit on that. They would charge you extra for anything beyond code it's not a freebie. They will do mostly cosmetic upgrades and charge exponentially for them because that's what wows the client.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also keep in mind NDI builds just to code, whereas most custom builders build beyond code. The upgraded construction costs alone can add $25-$50 psf to the core costs, while higher end systems (HWH, HVAC, etc.) can easily run twice as much as even an upgraded builder finish. Comparing small-scale mass produced (which is what NDI is) and custom are completely apples to oranges.

There is nothing wrong with NDI's model, which obviously works well for them as a business and people keep buying, which keeps them in business. It's just completely different than a custom home builder model.

I call bull shit on that. They would charge you extra for anything beyond code it's not a freebie. They will do mostly cosmetic upgrades and charge exponentially for them because that's what wows the client.

A custom home engineer or architect will typically spec out structure beyond code for additional comfort. Examples include wall panels with an exterior wall system based on 2x6 studs with an interior 2x4 wall (for running electrical and plumbing, in order to maximize insulation.) The additional cost is substantial, but you can get R30 insulation as opposed to a traditional R16 found in typical 2X6 construction (i.e. code.)

Another example - ceiling joists at 12 inches as opposed to 16 inches. This is a typical custom upgrade to reduce floor vibration. And yes, you pay for all of these, which is part of the reason custom is more expensive than mass produced builder grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also keep in mind NDI builds just to code, whereas most custom builders build beyond code. The upgraded construction costs alone can add $25-$50 psf to the core costs, while higher end systems (HWH, HVAC, etc.) can easily run twice as much as even an upgraded builder finish. Comparing small-scale mass produced (which is what NDI is) and custom are completely apples to oranges.

There is nothing wrong with NDI's model, which obviously works well for them as a business and people keep buying, which keeps them in business. It's just completely different than a custom home builder model.

I call bull shit on that. They would charge you extra for anything beyond code it's not a freebie. They will do mostly cosmetic upgrades and charge exponentially for them because that's what wows the client.

A custom home engineer or architect will typically spec out structure beyond code for additional comfort. Examples include wall panels with an exterior wall system based on 2x6 studs with an interior 2x4 wall (for running electrical and plumbing, in order to maximize insulation.) The additional cost is substantial, but you can get R30 insulation as opposed to a traditional R16 found in typical 2X6 construction (i.e. code.)

Another example - ceiling joists at 12 inches as opposed to 16 inches. This is a typical custom upgrade to reduce floor vibration. And yes, you pay for all of these, which is part of the reason custom is more expensive than mass produced builder grade.

Please show the source on this and where it says they include it as standard. You could ask NDI or any builder to add this but it would cost more.

[Anonymous]

What builders are between NDI on the low end and Sandy Spring at the super high end? Looking for recommendations for mid-price point builders in Montgomery County.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also keep in mind NDI builds just to code, whereas most custom builders build beyond code. The upgraded construction costs alone can add $25-$50 psf to the core costs, while higher end systems (HWH, HVAC, etc.) can easily run twice as much as even an upgraded builder finish. Comparing small-scale mass produced (which is what NDI is) and custom are completely apples to oranges.

There is nothing wrong with NDI's model, which obviously works well for them as a business and people keep buying, which keeps them in business. It's just completely different than a custom home builder model.

I call bull shit on that. They would charge you extra for anything beyond code it's not a freebie. They will do mostly cosmetic upgrades and charge exponentially for them because that's what wows the client.

A custom home engineer or architect will typically spec out structure beyond code for additional comfort. Examples include wall panels with an exterior wall system based on 2x6 studs with an interior 2x4 wall (for running electrical and plumbing, in order to maximize insulation.) The additional cost is substantial, but you can get R30 insulation as opposed to a traditional R16 found in typical 2X6 construction (i.e. code.)

Another example - ceiling joists at 12 inches as opposed to 16 inches. This is a typical custom upgrade to reduce floor vibration. And yes, you pay for all of these, which is part of the reason custom is more expensive than mass produced builder grade.

Please show the source on this and where it says they include it as standard. You could ask NDI or any builder to add this but it would cost more.

The "source" is the construction plans drawn by the architect and the engineer. An architect has no incentive to cheap out on what they draw, and every incentive to design the highest quality building possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What builders are between NDI on the low end and Sandy Spring at the super high end? Looking for recommendations for mid-price point builders in Montgomery County.

Your architect should be able to help you identify good GCs for your job. I would also suggest talking with neighbors who have done new builds or major additions for their recommendation. The vast majority of builders don't have household names, but operate based on referrals and references.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What builders are between NDI on the low end and Sandy Spring at the super high end? Looking for recommendations for mid-price point builders in Montgomery County.

Your architect should be able to help you identify good GCs for your job. I would also suggest talking with neighbors who have done new builds or major additions for their recommendation. The vast majority of builders don't have household names, but operate based on referrals and references.

NDI a mid to upper mid.

Sandy Spring is only "high" in price, not necessarily quality. In fact Sandy Spring will use modular homes at a significant cost savings that the client won't see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Oh, the horror! Partial hardwood, 6 inch tiles, and no Hardiplank even? How can anyone truly live like that?!

The OP claimed that NDI no longer builds cheap homes. The evidence is to the contrary. No one said anything about being or not being able to live in a home like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can upgrade ndi homes from all the standard features , but those few things don't account for the extra 600k the so called custom builders are raping people for.

You have no idea what you are talking about and obviously have not looked at any home with a $900k construction cost. I can also tell you that your options for a $900K custom home is limited since most true custom builders are over $200 per sqft. A higher market spec builder with a $900k budget will build a much nicer home than a $300k NDI home, with dramatic differences in size and quality that is not just a "few things" as you are suggesting. Your claim is like someone saying that a $50k Mercedes/BMW isn't worth it over a $20k Camry because "those few things" don't account for the extra $30k.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

NDI a mid to upper mid.

Sandy Spring is only "high" in price, not necessarily quality. In fact Sandy Spring will use modular homes at a significant cost savings that the client won't see.

When I researched builders in this area, I couldn't find a builder with a lower price-per-sqft that's lower than NDI. I would place that firmly in the low end.