Would I Build a Custom Home in Idaho?

Hello World, 

The answer to that question is probably no at this time in history.  The dwindling economy, supply chain shortage, and other factors are making building tough.  However, the answer is definitely NO if you plan to use Tradewinds of Idaho as your builder. If you don't die of a heart attack from the delays, blatant lies, absolute disregard for customer service, a general attitude of not caring, and having no defined schedule, you're handling it well. Promises are made, promises are not kept.  They claim to be Master Builders in Idaho. One of an elite few. Don't buy that line.   They have wonderful pictures and reviews on Houzz.  What does that tell me?  It tells me that Houzz is a pay to play website.  Note on that site there are no current reviews for Tradewinds.  Clue?  Do your own research.  Talk to past clients.  Come to your own conclusions. 

We are building on a street where several other builders (6) are building homes.  We were the second home to be started with a poured foundation.  Most of the other homes did not start until a few months after ours and they are scheduled to be completed about 2 to 3 months before ours.  Five owners have already moved in.   We apparently have at least 3 more months.  We can never get a straight answer on why there are so many delays.  Others by the same builder as ours are having the same problem.  I don't know if it is a finance issue or what but it sure is frustrating.  Other builders are having problems also however in speaking with my future neighbors, the communicated well with them and were reasonable to work with.  

The most interesting part of the whole situation is that nobody ever apologizes or has any empathy for the delays, cost overruns, out of the blue changes, etc.  The jobsite is nearly never cleaned up.  I personally would go out and blow out the house while it was still framed and even afterwards down to the end, I was covering up our wood floors to protect them with cardboard. 

Talk to several past clients before making a decision to use any builder, especially Tradewinds.  It's just sad...

Take a look at their reviews.  Then find some references.  I haven't met one yet that is happy.  Here is a link to Houzz:

https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/tradewinds-general-contracting-inc-pfvwus-pf~151111147

TTYL

Read the following letter to Steve from my wife and his response.  Note that there are no apologies or any empathy.  Everything seems to be our fault for not making some decision or other...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some pictures of the progress. 

 

 

 

  

5-10-2021

6-6-2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1-24-2022

 

3-13-2022

Take a look at their reviews.  Then find some references.  I haven't met one yet that is remotely happy.

https://www.houzz.com/professionals/home-builders/tradewinds-general-contracting-inc-pfvwus-pf~151111147

Tradewinds Contracting in Boise Idaho Recommendations or References

Can anyone provide some recent feedback on working with Tradewinds Contracting in Boise / Garden City Idaho? The owner is Steve Martinez. 

They appear to be a premier builder in the Boise area however we are looking for some references. They appear in Houzz and other online publications. In this challenging building environment we are wondering if they are a viable candidate to build a home in Boise Idaho. We have found several other builders for the neighborhood we are looking at however the lot we want is "taken" by Tradewinds and they would be the custom home builder for this lot in Eagle, Idaho. http://tradewindsofidaho.com/ is their website. 

You can email drenner @ summitsol. com if you have any feedback good or bad on Tradewinds. You can also comment here on the blog. 

Thank you!

UPDATE 4/4/2022

These are my last text messages to Steve Martinez, Owner, Tradewinds of Idaho from February 9,2022:

Feb 9:  "Hi Steve, Just halt our project till Leann is fired.  Thanks.  Best, Doug

            I have never had a worse business experience in my life."

Feb 10:  "Hi Steve, when can we talk?"

Of note related to this.  Steve told me to my face on or about December 10th, 2021 that he was going to fire Leann in January of 2022.  She is still there as of 4/4/2022.   Furthermore, Steve has to date not answered either one of those texts.  I would not recommend them to dig a hole much less build a house.  UN-Customer service appears to be their MO.