Westchester Modular Homes, Inc.

I was the lucky purchaser of a WMH back in the late 80's in upstate NY. Flawless construction, on time and budget with everything I asked for. I am now ready to retire and am looking to WMH once again to build my retirement home either in NY or CT. I am looking forward to another excellent product and experience, thank you WMH for all you do, Sincerely, Janice Brock

I can only describe our experience with Westchester Modular Homes (WMH) as extremely disappointing. Initially, we were enthusiastic and impressed with the quality of their build. We took the factory tour and met with our area representative for Rhode Island. Our Regional Sales Representative told us we would have concierge service and she would be available to help us through every step of the process. This was far from the truth! Unfortunately, once you make a deposit and sign to move forward with the initial design phase via their approved builder, you can no longer communicate with WMH. They make you sign an acknowledgement stating that YOU MUST WORK through the builder and they distance themselves from supporting you, the customer. Be wary before you sign on the dotted line with your builder for the initial design. Our WMH representative said she would walk us through the process and be there to answer our questions. However, after our initial deposit when we contacted her with questions about the module design that we could not get answered by our builder, she did not answer our phone calls and responded via email stating we had to work through the builder.
The preliminary design drawings provided as part of our initial deposit were at best difficult to assess due to their small size and represented a simplified, boilerplate computer sketch of what we had provided to them. They lacked detail, were inaccurate and incomplete. The approved builder told us that these would be red-marked and considered final to proceed to the next stage which required a hefty down deposit. In assessing the design drawings there was more red ink than drawing and we were uncomfortable having these represent our home plans. We were told that this is how WMH works which contradicts what we were told by their regional sales representative, what WMH claims during their factory tour and as advertised in their website. Trying to get cost transparency is impossible. You are completely at the mercy of your approved builder and you have no idea of what you are getting at what cost. WMH provides no support in understanding the costs and the initial budget provided (the bait) is nothing close to what the final cost will be after all the hidden upgrades (the switch)! As you may have surmised, we are no longer working with Westchester Modular Homes or their approved builder. Because of the misleading advertising by WMH and their representatives, we have experienced a significant financial loss and delay in building our dream retirement home. BEWARE of WMH and what they promise!

Joel and Wendy Doyon
Charlestown, RI

First call, first impression = lousy customer service. Told to go through builder for everything, even my preliminary questions. Told by switchboard that I cannot talk to anyone at Westchester Modular directly. Maybe just me, but think important to understand the quality of the product and the company before engaging a builder.

I would like to follow up on Charlie's remarks on the project I worked with for the modest 1.5 story cape he referrs to in a comment.

Our policy is to accept a $2500 deposit for plans after our third meeting. We didn't accept a deposit until after our 5th. Once we did Charlie made numerous "major" changes to his plans and we informed him that that cost would increase based off of his new house design he said that he wanted the more elaborate custom house at a standard price point.

He was not willing to or could not afford the new cost; which was approximately 13% higher than the original cost. So in order to be as fair as possible we returned his deposit in full with a complete set of plans (at no cost) and told him we could not build his home for the budget he was working with at the time.

We wrote him a check and sent it to him immediately with his full sets of stamped architectural plans. He has still not built the home in the budget he has nor do I think he ever will be able to. All documentation has been recorded the same.

I wish him and his family well in the future and hope that someday he finds someone who can build his home but with the budget he is working they would have to work in the red; something he will not find.

Westchester Modular is a high end modular builder for state of the art custom homes. I inform this to all my clients up front and give them a very good ballpart, 95%+ cost upfront, to avoid these types of situations. Sometime though individuls only hear what they want and think that somehow they can build a home they cannot afford.

It was unfortunate the situation Charlie ran into and again I only wish him and his family the best.

Thank you,
Anthony Zarrilli
Principal

The above problems appear to be with the chosen builder and not the Westchester Home. One of the biggest investments you can make is not just the home but as important who is your builder. Westchester is a quality built home without question,however they are responsible only to you having your home set and buttoned up.The above issues are for the contractor who finished the home. On any build, check for references before making your choice.

Working with Zarrilli Homes, LLC was a pleasure. I would recommend anyone who is considering to construct a new home to build with Zarrilli Homes, LLC. They are the most professional company out there (and we met with 7 other companies) and treat each client like their only client. Zarrilli Homes met or exceeded in each aspect of constrution from quality through time of completion. Zarrilli Homes is very familiar with all the building codes, inspection process and construction details which made this process run so smooth. Also their custom selection process allowed me and my wife to get EVERYTHING that we wanted in our house at a reasonable price. They offer a 3D virtual tour of your home before construction begins so you will see exactly what it will look like before it is built. It takes all the guess work out of the process. Also their design center for choosing all your options (electrical & plumbing fixtures, roof & siding, etc.) is second to none. We recommend to all considering building in New Jersey to contact Zarrilli Homes.