Jacksonville couple learns home builder increased cost before construction

As the value of housing soars in northeast Florida, men and women developing their houses are taking a hit, far too.

Jose Gonzalez required to share his tale with Action News Jax as a cautionary tale to others setting up households: builders are raising the value prior to they even begin design.

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Constructing a new property has been a dream of Gonzalez and his wife’s for some time.

“We definitely are enamored with the idea of constructing this household,” he said.

In January, the couple place pen to paper and paid a $32,000 base price. They assumed they had been all set, but now, Gonzalez is currently being instructed he desires to pay back much more.

“I obtained a phone yesterday telling me that the rate of the dwelling experienced absent up forty-thousand bucks at that time, so they preferred to appear back and transform the selling price of the residence,” he described. “Builders now are truly raising the price ahead of they even begin creating.”

That’s due to the fact of an escalation clause at the base of Gonzalez’ agreement with Seda Development that states the builder can increase the value because of to labor and components challenges.

When Gonzalez knew about the clause, he is astonished by the timing.

“It’s completely unforeseen that they would raise their rate in 3 months,” he claimed.

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The builder told Gonzalez there’s a labor and supply lack. In actuality, the National Affiliation of Dwelling Builders experiences volatile lumber rates in excess of the past yr have upped the common charge of a new residence by more than $18,600.

Gonzalez hopes the value for his residence hike is a 1-time occurrence.

“We may possibly have to suck it up and just do it,” he stated. “We really do not want another increase to take place prior to closing.”

Gonzalez and his wife are remaining optimistic. He tells Motion Information Jax his agreement does make it possible for him to again out if he desires to, but the aspiration of a brand name new dwelling is preserving the couple hopeful.

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