I recently purchased a home in June 2023, a milestone I had eagerly anticipated as a first-time buyer and a veteran. However, my excitement quickly turned to frustration and disappointment due to my interactions with Rausch Coleman Homes, particularly with Zack, the project manager based in Birmingham, AL.
From the outset, Zack's behavior was unprofessional and disheartening. During the final inspection, he attempted to manipulate my emotions by implying that his income depended on receiving favorable reviews on surveys. This tactic was not only unscrupulous but also entirely inappropriate.
Furthermore, Zack's attempt to sway my opinion reached an alarming low when he mentioned sending a $25 gift card as an incentive for a positive survey review. This was nothing short of an attempt at bribery, which left a sour taste in my mouth.
One of the most egregious instances of deception came when Zack assured me that minor issues we noticed at the closing would be addressed. Specifically, our yard was missing sod and had numerous brown and dying patches due to poorly laid sod with large gaps. Zack promised to send someone to fix these issues and asked us to wait a month for the grass to recover. Three months later, nothing had been done, and I had to invest my own time and money to correct these problems.
I was initially informed that the yard would be properly graded before laying sod, but my backyard consistently flooded after rainfall, indicating that this promise was not fulfilled. Additionally, a portion of my front yard had sod laid directly over concrete or a large rock, causing the sod to die. I had to undertake the laborious task of removing the concrete and rejuvenating the area myself.
My efforts to address these concerns through warranty claims were equally frustrating. Despite submitting pictures and waiting for a response, I received no contact from the warranty department even after 10 business days. When I followed up with the company, I was met with a rude and unprofessional phone call from Zack, chastising me for seeking answers regarding my warranty claim.
Zack's inability to effectively manage the situation was further evident when he took pictures of the issues in my yard but failed to follow up on the warranty claim, leaving me in limbo for weeks.
On another occasion, we had to file a warranty claim for an outlet that was never properly secured, and the flooring was laid over a concrete anchor that protruded through the surface. The flooring contractors failed to show up twice, with Zack providing no prior warning on the first occasion and only texting an hour after the scheduled time on the second.
Adding to the list of unprofessional behaviors, Zack appeared at my house unannounced during working hours, two months after I had submitted the warranty claim. This lack of communication and consideration for the customer's schedule was entirely unacceptable.
To make matters worse, my first warranty claim for the backyard was closed without notifying me, leading to confusion and additional frustration.
Additionally, Zack's lack of preparation for the VA inspection resulted in further delays and expenses for Rausch Coleman Homes, ultimately impacting my ability to secure funding.
Lastly, the siding on my house is now bowed, necessitating yet another warranty claim that I dread pursuing due to the overall unprofessionalism and rudeness I have experienced from Zack.
In conclusion, my experience with Rausch Coleman Homes and the individuals I interacted with, particularly Zack, was extremely dissatisfying and unjust. As a veteran who has served this country, I expected better treatment and professionalism. Sadly, Rausch Coleman Homes fell far short of those expectations, leaving me deeply disappointed and disheartened.
DC
David C.
Complete Lack of Communication
Submitted my information via their website and immediately received a text message and email from a supposed agent. Despite stating that I am a graveyard shift worker, prefer to communicate via email, and that response would be slow due to that fact, I received a number of automated/scripted calls, texts, and emails over the next several days throughout the daytime hours. My replies to those emails were never acknowledged. Instead, after several days, I received notice that the agent was no longer interested in working with me. I feel as though I've dodged a bullet and have been saved the trouble of trying to work with a company that cares little about their customers.
