|
Back to Articles
 In
two recent issues of DREAMSCAPES, we described how the “Red Carpet
Treatment” is an important part of building a Pringle home. We explored
how the sales department provides valuable assistance in choosing the
right lot and type of home to meet each customer’s needs. Following
that, we described how the Design Center offers their services to help
customize each home, including the floorplan, landscaping, flooring,
fixtures and colors.
While the design details of a new home are
being decided, another Pringle department begins working to insure that
the “Red Carpet Treatment” continues throughout the building process.
Michelle Krueger is the manager of the Quality Assurance Department. She
and her staff work to maintain close contact with each new homeowner;
“We try to establish a relationship that creates an ongoing sense of
comfort”.
About two weeks after the contract to build
a home is signed, Michelle’s department calls the purchaser and informs
them that they would like to keep in close contact. The purchaser
receives a booklet entitled “The Red Carpet Treatment Continues”, along
with a card that has a list of important phone numbers that the
purchaser can use to make inquiries during construction. The booklet
outlines the various steps that are involved in the construction of a
new home, including financing, designing, decorating, landscaping,
construction, and the final settlement phases. It provides information
about the time schedule for each phase, and it answers a lot of commonly
asked questions about the building process.
One of the members of this department
(usually Chris Hansen or Sandy Dye) prepares to make contact with the
purchaser at least every six weeks (more often, if needed). This
relationship continues until well after the closing date, including the
warranty period that follows. There may be as many as ten to twenty
phone calls made by Quality Assurance to insure that each homeowner is
well informed and to answer any questions.
 One
of the nicest features included in the construction phase is that
Jessica Kasperek, a photographer employed by this department, visits the
construction site of each home every other week. She takes photographs
of the exterior and the interior areas of the home as it takes shape.
The purchaser is given their own website and they are able to view these
photographs as construction progresses. Past photos of the home are also
provided, and the homeowner’s website allows these photos to be
forwarded to their family or friends. In addition, the website allows
the purchaser to make appointments, view photos of the staff, or use the
“contact us” feature to communicate with Pringle Development. When the
home is completed, a CD of all of the construction photographs is
created and given to the purchaser.
Another nice feature is that payment for the
new home is made over a period of time, called “draws”. When the
designing of the home begins, only 10% of the total cost is due. When
the “Notice to Proceed” is issued, 25% of the remaining balance is due,
and when the slab is completed, 40% of the remaining balance is due.
Additional partial payments continue as the home is framed, when dry
wall is completed, and after the electrical and plumbing lines are
installed. Of course, at closing, the final balance is paid to complete
the sale.
“Our department is concerned with ensuring
the best possible experience for the customer by continually working
towards meeting or exceeding their expectations,” said Michelle. Red
Carpet Treatment means, “We want all of our customers to be completely
satisfied with all phases of building and enjoying their new Pringle
home.
Back to Articles |
