Pulte Homes Reviews in Chicago, IL

This is one of the most basic home I have seen and bought. The only and biggest reason to buy is because of the school district. The workmanship and quality of the home is below-par. Coming from a Toll Bothers house, and the luxuries offered, quality, workmanship and flexibility with the floor plan, Pulte is on the opposite spectrum of this. I would say it's just a bare house even after adding a 100k of upgrades, nothing special about it. The list of shortcomings is pretty big and i wouldn't want to go into those details. One major challenge I am facing right now is the HOA and their bylaws. Pulte never provided the bylaws before purchasing the house, because they know if they would do that, quite a bit of people will either have second thoughts or might not buy because of the ridiculous bylaws. One shinning part in all of this process was the Pulte agent. She made herself available and guided and helped throughout the process. Lori is just amazing. Other than that getting mortgage from Pulte and working with them was a nightmare. The mortgage agent was more busy than the US President would be. It was a challenge to talk to her. The service managers are also very hard to get a hold of. You would think that, part of the process of buying from a national builder would be after sales service, which is barely there. I would say that I dont see myself living in this house after kids graduate from high school or if Toll Brothers start building houses in the same school district. ... More

The excitement of purchasing a new build was dulled by the high costs of any upgrades. The bundling of un-related items was also an issue. For example, we got to choose the color of our front door, but it was bundled with the color of the roof shingles. The house/lot was not completely ready on closing day. In fact, a month later the lot has still not been cleaned up from construction and the landscaping has not been started. The quality of the structure is yet to be determined, but we are disappointed with the quality of the paint that was used in the house. The appliances and fixtures throughout the house are of good quality. The Sales Associate was excellent in helping us through the process and communicating with us. The Customer Service Representative has been responsive to our inquiries. The Construction Manager was very helpful and open to suggestions prior to closing. However, since closing, he/she appears to be overwhelmed and is slow to respond. In conclusion, we know that the buying experience is different for everyone; ours has add its ups and downs. ... More

Not sure where to begin so I will start from the time we decided to purchase the house. The front office seemed to be playing games with buyers. When we first started to look at this neighborhood they had the bidding process going on and we went on to bid so many times for specific lots even though there were plenty of open lots. Without a solid reason, we couldn't figure out why they wouldn't just open up lots. Seems they were a bit greedy and wanted people to pay more for the land than they actually were worth. Hence we gave up after multiple bids and losses due to outrageous amounts being bid for lots. We also requested to buy a lot at a price to what they might have quoted but never got a number so we gave up overall. We also gave up bidding because we wanted a 3 car garage but kept getting responses that there are none, yet we see few lots which have them now. A year later we circled back to this place because the house prices within the Mundelein area were coming up close to new construction costs. So we decided to pull the trigger and sign on the dotted line. The contract was obviously one-sided and couldn’t make any changes. Earnest money had doubled from the first time we had originally come to the time we signed the contract. Not a big deal but a huge amount considering what other builders were asking in comparison. 2 months after signing the contract, no word from the front office or anyone about the progress of the house. After calling a few times to get a progress update, we found out there was a hold on construction due to incorrect paperwork. Luckily the GM and front office sorted it out without changing our home delivery timeline. We were very appreciative of this but if we hadn’t called to find out the progress then this issue might not have been caught/resolved and construction of the house would not have begun and ended on the time they had given us. A few weeks into the process we had to visit the Pulte center to make our interior selection. This was not a bad experience except the items we wanted to see were not even on displace. The demo center didn’t really have much to see visually hence we had to make decisions from pictures and basically imagination of what it would look like. The generic handout they give you doesn’t really quantify the items we wanted to see. We had to google and visit many places to see them physically to better understand them. Also, the 3-hour time to select all the items for your entire house is not enough especially since this was our first home and we had no idea what would match with what. 5.5 months into construction we meet with the GM for the pre-drywall meeting. He was very informative and helpful in answering questions. One change I would recommend is to have a meeting with the client at some point before the pre-drywall so the client has options to change small items like adding in outlets or fixtures. New buyers will not know what should go where until they see them physically. 7 months or so after we were ready to close on the house and had to go through another ordeal. Since we had opted not to use Pulse Mortgage the closing/title department basically didn’t communicate any items with my lender or my lawyer of the documents until days before my closing. The day before our closing I was babysitting and coordinating touchpoints about paperwork progress between my lender and the title company. On the day of our closing, which is supposed to be a joyous occasion for us, I was dealing with last-minute changes and add-ons from the title company. Basically sucked the joy out of the who process. FINALLY, we moved into the house which is going great except for dealing with somewhat of a shotty craftsmanship. We have made roughly 7-9 service tickets and are still counting, nothing uncommon from what I have been told from other new construction owners outside of this community. The worst part is that these tickets are to be responded to within 24-48 and it has been 2 weeks now and not been a single call from the construction office as to when they might come to fix the issues. I understand they are short-staffed due to people leaving or let-go but all we are asking for is acknowledgement of the ticket and when they might be able to fix it. I am not asking for it to be done right now but give me some time frame at least. Overall the experience had its ups and downs and we are torn on how we would perceive this and if we would consider going through this in the future or recommend it to others. The people whom we engaged with were considerate and somewhat willing to work with us, more than what I say from other owners who have had worse experiences than us. ... More

We have had a number of issues including water pooling in our side yard and this is still going on after multiple attempts to get it resolved. The landscaping service is not keeping up with mowing grass and removing dead grass except for the model. Look around this neighborhood and you will see.

closing was done prematurely, drive way and Sod was not ready. Buyer should be advised what to expect after closing. Causing inconvenience. Our closing was on April 5th and as of today JUNE 3rd., we do have Sod on the Ground.

Had a good customer experience overall. Very disappointed with the quality of my home. You can tell things were done rushed with no care how it would turn out. Painting throughout the house was horrible. Hard to believe that was done professionally. There were a lot of scratches on everything (appliances, countertops, floors, tubs, walls, baseboards, cabinets).

Never close on your new home until everything is completed. That includes your outside work. Sidewalks, driveways, landscaping and lawn. I was told before I closed on my new home in February that when the weather breaks they would do my sidewalk, driveway, landscaping and lawn would be completed. That is a lie! There are new houses built right now and they are getting their sidewalks and driveway done now. Here we sit with no sidewalks or driveways (just dirt and rocks). They told me and my other neighbors that are in the same boat that our outside work would not be completed for 2 MONThS! That is totally unfair and wrong. They said we would not get our sod till probably June! That is Not how you should run a business. There are a lot of people in this community that are very angry and upset. Please respond to me about this situation. Everyone told me you probably will not respond. Prove them wrong. Thanks! ... More

Quality of materials used is concerning. There are mold in basement which is not covered with in warranty. Radon level is high which is also not covered in warranty.. Any cosmetic damage that you see post closing is also not covered under warranty.. So basically you are taking the same risk when you buy from any ordinary builder except you pay premium price here..

This was our first new build so going in maybe our expectations were to high. While we love our new house and are so glad to be in it finally (after additional weeks of delays) there are a few things that I wish had better workmanship. The tile work in the upgraded shower is probably my biggest complaint. I am not an expert tile installer but I have done some myself and am extremely disappointed by the "professional" job the team did. We had some significant delays towards the end and the continued lack of communication from Pulte and team was upsetting to say the least.

Sloppy over all. Lot of issues found after moving in. Very slow in responding and sometimes no response at all. The defects are not being fixed.

There are many spots on the first and second floors where the floors make creaky sounds. Walls are not sound proof (not even semi- sound proof). When a bathroom is used the loud water sound can be heard in the bed rooms. Water and sewer pipes throughout the house make very loud sounds. Sound from laundry room is no exception. Regular talk from the first floor gathering room can be heard in the second floor walk-in closet in the opposite corner of the house.

I had high expectations for this house, but they didn't meet my expectation at all. The construction is subpar at best. The windows make noises when there is even a little bit of wind, there are very loud ticking sounds through the vents and the pipes are freezing when the temperatures are low. This is Chicago, the winters a cold and harsh so a house should be build sturdy not like this. Don't even get me started on the floors, it's all uneven and there are cracks in the celling already. I do appreciate the prompt responsiveness to the issues, however there are too many issues and it's only been 2 months. ... More

If they run into a shortfall they rush that part of the build...grout over dirt, chipped trim, paint on hardware, etc. These are things that appear in my bath where the doors were late in delivery so it was the last room finished and things were hurried. Other areas showed lack of craftsmanship. Front door remains with a gap at the bottom letting in cold and hopefully nothing else.

Some of the products are not of high quality, such as the paint and hardwood floors. There are some slight dents in the cabinets as well. The ComEd service cannot be switched to my account, and I have to track it with a Comed representative for days to get it resolved. Normally, the builder should talk to Comed first to provide all the meter details and everything else setup before I call them for my account activation

First off, we love our new Pulte home. For the most part, we are very happy with the home, our upgrades, and the quality. During the process of working with Diane (sales office) and Jake (construction manager), we have been impressed with the time taken to provide details and inform us of the construction process along the way. Unfortunately, at the end of the process and now, 1.5 months of ownership, we most certainly do not feel like a priority any longer, nor do neighbors that we have spoken to. Jake the construction manager turned over the responsibilities for closing out our home to his assistant, Kyle. First, Kyle changed our closing date without informing the Title Company or me and my wife. During the walkthrough he did a good job walking the house and his crews followed up on most needed quick fixes. However, when pointing out stains in the carpet upstairs, he said he would send a carpet cleaner. That never happened. We decided to live with the stains and will work to remove the stains ourselves. The next item, which is major to me and my wife is that our kitchen cabinets are still not fixed. There are several molding pieces missing, a cabinet side missing, self-closing drawers that do not close, and the nail holes/scratches have not been covered. Kyle indicated that he ordered the parts and that they should be received within a week or so. The cabinet parts have still not been received 1.5 months in and Kyle is extremely slow to reply or give adequate updates when he does respond. When reaching out to Jake to obtain an update he pushes the responsibility onto Kyle. We paid an awful lot for this chef's kitchen and we want to fully enjoy it. Lastly, we still do not have our smart lock for the front door. When the smart home installer called Kyle about the lock, Kyle indicated it was on backorder after checking around. Kyle never informed us it was on backorder. 1.5 months in and no smart lock. Is the problem the two different companies not being responsive, or is the problem our construction management? To us, it doesn't matter...we just want our home to be finished and have what we paid for. Overall, like I said, we love our home. But, as soon as Pulte received our money, we certainly do not feel like a priority to Pulte Chasewood's team. That is very disappointing! ... More

still we are waiting for fix backyard door and backyard groung not fixed well (not safe for kids)so i want that fix it as soon as possible

We closed 2.5 months ago. Just informed we won’t get a yard until at least July. Kitchen ceilings cracking. Mortgage process a disaster. All in all wouldn’t recommend.

Overall construction was good. But we spent a ton of money on upgrades which included flooring, tile work, cabinets and counters. There wasn't much attention to deal at all. Most tiles in the master shower are wonky, and don't line up. The caulk job was amateur at best. Just sloppy. The floor they installed throughout the first floor has several spots where the planks aren't supported and the seams separate from one another. They installed a floor vent in front of my sliding rear door. They have a light switch literally wedged in a corner upstairs...which looks really stupid. The paint on the baseboards throughout the entire home and the door casing has runs, sags and major orange peel everywhere. They shot nails through the sides of my cabinets when they installed the trim on the sides. None of the cabinet drawers in the kitchen operate smoothly, it seems like there's something dragging. The windows they use are not good at all. Several are very hard to open and the are very drafty. And the screens fit really loose which allows bugs to get in no problem. It is basically very obvious the house was built with the emphasis on time and getting it done fast and not the overall quality. The house was over 500k. It looks like a slapped together flip, and not new construction. Don't spend on upgrades, they will never look as good as the model. ... More

House was not ready to close but we closed anyway. More than 40 follow-ups. 29 left 8weeks past close.

Advertisement shows units available and cost in the middle 200k, reality was there we no home available within two months and the cost was a 100k more than advertised

Buying experience was ok at the start but closer to the end trying to figure out closing was a bit messy. Responsiveness to issue at final walk thru and days after closing is lacking. Still waiting on stuff/answers weeks later. I get that they are busy and have other home owners but if you say you will do something do it.

Ok ok type, but this builder are on time always.

If they used a higher quality of materials, I think they would have less repair issues.

Home is beautiful. Salesperson should reference a list of options to go over with home buyer-not rely on home buyer discovering that something wasn’t even offered during the building process. Also, salesperson strongly suggested that I not get the backsplash option for my kitchen, and do it myself, but when I thought it through and thought that because I bought a range tower exhaust, it might be wise to have the builder do the backsplash was abruptly told by the salesperson that it was too late and I had to do it myself, regardless of my willingness to pay the $500 change fee. When I made onsite visits, I was appalled to see that workers left empty bottles and cups and trash in my new Kohler bathtubs and that one window screen was severely trashed and on the floor in the garage. Field manager said that as a homebuyer, I could call at any time and he would respond—-not true.....never returned phone calls. Salesperson and field manager blamed the US Post Office for placement and assignment of mailboxes. Was told by both the salesperson and the field manger that my mailbox would be right across the street from my house....not true....discovered after closing that my mailbox was not one of the four towers across the street from me, but one block over. Field manager blamed landscaping company for not installing sod until day after I closed on the house, which benefitted the builder because builder didn’t have to pay the water bill for watering sod. Names of streets are confusing....One half of a block is Samantha Joy Lane and the other half is Samantha Joy Court. Mail is messed up because the numbering duplicates numbers of houses on other streets and mail carriers are severely confused. Construction traffic oftentimes blocks the mailboxes so that those of us residents who have to drive to our mailboxes cannot stop and safely get out to check the mail. Even though I have always been a fan of Pulte Buiders homes, my experience with the people they hire to represent them, has soured my opinion. ... More

Read the reviews on this site very carefully. The mortgage process was a teeth grinding nightmare; however, the loan consultant was the saving grace. Mortgage processor asked for information piecemeal and how many times do you need to check with an underwriter for someone who is close to a credit score of 800? Title insurance was wonderful. The pre-drywall walk through was well done with considerable knowledge and helpful detail shared. While there is no doubt the structure is well built, some interior finishes are low quality, overpriced and contractor final work is sloppy. If there are quality checks on interior contractor work it’s not done to the highest regard as the house structure itself. There was ceiling paint on hardwood floors and the marble fireplace that I needed to remove. Kitchen cabinet uppers have chips where handles have been screwed in, dents and one has a screw end visible beneath where the molding was attached. The water from the fridge and kitchen faucet tastes terrible and has a plastic odor. After repeated follow up on the issues, one to the customer care manager (no reply) and a colleague (3 follow ups), I’m advised the water is piped the same as every home out here and it’s definitely safe. Hmmm..so why does it smell and taste so bad. The rest of the items need to wait 11 months. These are basic things that the builder should own and rectify without delay. Sadly, very disappointed. ... More