Landmark Homes (Edmonton) Inc

We bought home from Landmark group, at 2013, at 2014 spring, water is coming through basement, at last visit, we mention that but Landmark person say it's normal and nothing to worried. The shock we had when my husband was looking around the house. There was 15 cracks which was block by silicone and hide by ciment. I call warranty department and Cara said it's normal and happened. I am agree that can be but I will a accepted if it was after the possession but it was happened as foundation was make. I complain NHW, now they give me appointment for inspection after 2 months. I had a discuss with lawyer but it's coming so expensive about 20000$ to 30000$ cost. I already paid Landmard 431000$ for this scrap building and now I have to pay more. I have really but dream about new home and never will go with this Landmark or recommended to someone. Really poor services they.

I would like to say good things about Landmark but I can't. We have lived here for 2 years and although we like the community and the house we bought, Landmark is a disaster to deal with.

I have had a great experience with Landmark. Just moved in to a 2 storey, was very pleased with the condition of the house. I had some problems with the main bath tub and our tankless water heater, but they will be out in a couple of days to fix both.

Landmark's warranty suck and their contractors has very poor workmanship. Our driveway was poorly done. Cracked and sunk after one year. This was just one out 12 issues we had with their home.

I built a starter home with Landmark last year. So I will give an honest opinion for my own experience.

I found the time frame for the actual house being built more than reasonable. Papers were signed in December and foundation was started in March with the move in date to be August. The one downside is you can't customize the floor plan, but that was Ok as I was happy with my layout.

There wasn't any major issues, most were cosmetic, the one complaint was the painting done in some areas by the trade. Which brings me to the main thing with any builder, their warranty department. Now I can't say I had some of the issues dealing with them like the other reviewers, but I can say Cara was always good to deal with. I had an issue with my HVAC and it was fixed in a few weeks. Other minor issues were dealt with within a month or so. Kevin should also get a mention for going thru my final walk through and fixed some things on the spot, like my garage and one interior door that didn't close properly.

The only negatives was the paint job on some of the walls (after a year I'm still catching some spots poorly done...sorry, but a 10 year old could do a better job), and the garbage left all over my garage driveway and in my garage by the trades people. In fact I found a roll of nails in my driveway, luckily didn't run over it and damage my tire. So that's one thing Landmark needs to do, is better managing of their trades people.
Overall, the quality of some of the workmanship is average. I found some things where a little more care could have been taken care of.

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UPDATE Sept 12, 2014 (I have dropped my rating from a 9 to a 4)

Update Sept 12, 2014
I felt it was time to give an update with my experience.
The home and the after work follow up, has been excellant.
However, it has been the Landmark builders/contractors working around my home that has been a headache.
Some of the issues:
1. Excavating the lot beside me, they dug right up to my house and caused the rocks in my window well to pour out from the bottom (this has yet to be fixed)

2. Both sides of my back driveway sod have been run over on separate days and destroyed, even though I have 2 big empty lots beside me. Enough for anyone to maneuver around. As well their contractors have been driving on my garage driveway. How do I know this? I power washed it prior to the rain/snow we've had and have not parked back there since, but found all their muddy tire marks all over it. My concern is it getting damaged from the heavy trucks/machinery.

3. My front sod was destroyed when the developer ripped out the sidewalk concrete. Yes, even though this is the developer and not Landmark doing the job, I feel they are both partners and this was poor planning on both their parts. This should have been done BEFORE the sod was put in.

4. Constantly picking up garbage from the work sites blowing over onto my property

So far I've been promised they can only repair the driveway sod once. So of course I have to wait until next year, otherwise their contractors will run over it again.

Seems every day I come home from work there is some kind of issue. When all it would take is for their workers to show some care and not disregard to the other properties they are working around.

Now trying to get a hold of someone and getting the info of the site super is almost impossible. Their workers and sub-contractors have NO respect for any of the completed homes, as they work in the area. I'm not the only one on my block having problems.

My advice at this point, is if you're going to build with them, check to see if there are other undeveloped lots around you. Otherwise you may face the same headaches I've had dealing with them. Or you can just sit outside every day while they're working and watch them (ya right). Also get your own lawyer and do not used theirs, I'm glad I did. Also have your lawyer have a hold back of funds for the landscaping and grading. Right now that is all I have if they do not repair the damage their people have done.

If you asked me a year ago if I would build with them again or recommend them I would have said yes. Ask me now, and I would say no. What's important is customer service and hiring workers that respect private properties.

I built a brand new duplex with Best Communities by Landmark. When I took possession I had no occupancy permit (I couldn't even legally live there). There was a very long list of deficiencies that they refused to fix but were aware of. I was refused warranty service and had to to sue them. I would not recommend this builder to anyone.

Purchased a new spec home by landmark. Landmark is very difficult in approaching any warranty work. Second day in new house and my wife went to do laundry in the new washer for the first time. After removing the protective film, manuals, etc (this is first wash for this high efficiency GE front loading washer) my wife started the washer. About half way into wash cycle washer stops. So she hit resume on it. It was able to complete the wash cycle. Second load, no luck washer is a lemon. Called Mabe for a service call. Technician states needs a bunch of parts about 6 week order to receive them. Technician suggested to complain to landmark to replace this lemon washer that was put in. Called landmark and they do not seem to care.

Second issue, Weiss Johnson installed furnace. After running the fan for a few hours and while in basement getting a quote from Reliance the furnace company for AC unit, the guy quoting the AC noticed a lot of water dripping from exhaust vent. Upon inspection, we found that the furnace exhaust vent at the 90 to the wall to not be completely glued and sealed. (Major CO leakage potential) Called landmark warranty, again they could not care any less.
- Third issue, on possession there was a bunch of trim, baseboards, crown moldings left in garage. Half of this trim was leftovers from some other landmark build in the area and it did not match any trim in my house. This was left for me to dispose of.

After Landmark gets the half a million dollars you paid for the house, the customer care and support no longer exist. The house we like very much, but Landmark needs to provide much better customer care and relationship as these negative reviews with likely affect the decisions others may make in choosing a home builder.

Updates

Had to buy a new washer at my expense. Waiting on some reimbursment from GE.

On July 6th (less than 1 month in house) noticed floor wet in childs bedroom after a rainstorm. Called landmark and left a message. Landmark did not identify the leak, I had to do so myself and a constant drip (small stream) from valley in roof trickling down exterior wall and ending up on floor of bedroom. (see youtube clip) I removed some carpet and floor has mold growth on it. Two weeks have passed and still leaking. My second floor stinks of musk and mold. Landmark arranges for you to deal with the contractors in all repairs, thus so far spent hours of my time trying to get this leak stopped and getting my childs room back into "new" condition. Its sad that 2 weeks had passed and my roof is still leaking and no one to contact with landmark. A manager will plan to show up in 2 days but could be months waiting for repairs as leak has yet to be repaired. Choose you builders wisely people. I will update if any progress gets made. However, I am likely to fix this at my expense as I had to do with the washer.

Update: All repairs complete finally. Had a BBB complaint that I feel very much got further attention from landmark to speed up the repair progress. Received some compensation from Mabe on washer warranty but short on the money promised. Starting to enjoy our new home.

PLEASE DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING FROM LANDMARK..I did purchase a town house on Emerald Hills in Sherwood Park 2 years ago, until this date they have not finished the landscaping, the asphalt,sidewalks etc. it was not insulated properly that the pipes froze,, People from that company have been rude and unhelpful,l said that will send trades people and they did not show up and when they did, some of them did a very poor job. BUSINESS PRACTICES ARE TERRIBLE,

Landmark is part of the First Place Home Buyers Program, working with the City of Edmonton to provide great options for first time home buyers. Product is great. All products are better than high efficiency. Was provided with a welcome package at move in. All concerns were addressed at move in or shortly thereafter. Most builders should be partnering with municipalities to address housing needs across Canada.

My wife & I have been in our Classic Landmark Home for less than 2 years. Our initial warranty expired this past January 28th (2013). Within the last week parging has begun falling off the foundation. The building refuses to come out to make repairs based on the warranty expiring because they are just following their protocols. Whatever happened to customer service? Now I have to resort to "threats" of posting online, calling the BBB. It doesn't make any sense.

"Hi Mike,
The warranty department is responsible for a one-year warranty of your home. There is a two-year warranty for specific building envelope items and a 5 to 10 year structural warranty.
You have been out of warranty since January 2013 and we are unable to further warrant this item.
Thank you
Cara P
Warranty Coordinator
Landmark Group of Builders
780-702-

Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 12:45 PM
To: Cara P
Cc: Bijan M
Subject: Re:

Hi Cara. Hope all is well.
So if the parging starts falling off my home due to poor workmanship this becomes my responsibility? I'm just asking.
Mike

On 2013-11-04, at 11:34 AM, Cara P wrote:
Hi Mike,
...With being out of warranty since January 2012, you will be responsible for contacting a parger to take care of your parging concern.
If you wish to hire a trade the Landmark uses, we suggest... He’s finished for the year, but can be hired again in the spring.
Thanks Mike
Cara

From:
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2013 9:04 AM
To: Cara P
Subject:

Hi Cara,
One concern that has cropped up within the last few days (noticed it Thursday): some of the parging is beginning to fall off the foundation and cracking along the front sidewalk."

(this is the email thread with full names, addresses & phone numbers removed)