Has Ashcroft improved?

[barryst]

Well we were beginning our search for our first new house, and saw the houses in Central Park as looking like a pretty decent location with reasonable prices (i believe it was ~$239,000 for their "starter" townhouses).

But then i came across this site, and when i did a search, it turns out Ashcroft doesn't have the best reputation. But i also have read here that they are trying to improve their image.

So, with anyone with experience (or second hand knowledge), is Ashcroft safe to approach now?


We were gonna go take a look at the model homes later this week, but maybe you guys can save us the trouble.


Thanks in advance

[BiggieG]

I can't say if they've improved overall but I can comment on our experience. Our first home was a terrace built by Ashcroft in Manhattan Square.

Overall, we were quite pleased, we had no major issues, only a few cosmetic issues, and any issues we did have were delt with (relaitvely) promptly. I believe at the time they were trying very hard to recover from the Central Park fiasco.

Actually, I would say, between our experiences with Ashcroft and Minto, we had a better experience with Ashcroft.

[barryst]

Yeah my parents bought two houses from Minto, they seemed to be satisfied, so i guess experiences will vary.

Is Manhatten Square where most of the townhomes are? We were looking at the Smarter Starter model , because it seemed like the perfect fit for us.

[BiggieG]

We're happy with our Minto house we just had more issues and they were much harder to resolve with Minto. Manhattan Square is in Bells Corners. The whole neighbourhood is Terrace Homes and "Smarter Starter" Towns.

[barryst]

Originally Posted by BiggieG

We're happy with our Minto house we just had more issues and they were much harder to resolve with Minto. Manhattan Square is in Bells Corners. The whole neighbourhood is Terrace Homes and "Smarter Starter" Towns.

Ahh, i thought Manhatten Square was in Central Park, I thought i saw a street called Manhatten something there.


Perhaps the problems with Ashcroft were mostly isolated in Central Park (which i guess doesn't help me anyway as I'm looking to get a townhome there)

[M&H]

My sister purchased two houses with Ashcroft. One house in 2000 when they were having problems. That house had lots of isuses and some items were never solved even after staying in the house for years, part of it on my sister's side, and good part was on Ashcroft delaying things.

The problem is that my sister likes Central Park area. So, last year she decided to buy another house with them.

I can say "Big difference". Most of her PDI and 30 Days list are done. A couple of outside items that they to solve and few in-side items.

Good luck.

[barryst]

Thanks for the reply!

Yeah the location is a key point for us as well, we'd like to stay in the city for sure.

[m & m]

Because it was asked, here is my own experience.

I closed last October and I had very positive experience with Ashcroft. Those are the things that come immediately to mind

The good things:

1) The design centre staff are very good. We must have consulted them over 10 times (we have changed our minds that often). They did not specifically restricted the number of consultations and were very patient and professional with us.

2) We got some freebies (in addition to the design bonus offered) from the sales center and also from the design center as well. (many $K in savings there).

3) Dealings with the head office was good too.

4) Our 30 day report items were taken care of quite promtply. We have called them on many items we have not had on our 30day list and they have always been cooperative in dealing with those. Better, they have always answered our request within a day or so. My wife and I were sometimes surprised by the fast responses.

5) The staff they have to provide the services to the home after closing is very good.

6) We had items that were damages we felt they could deny us the repairs/replacement because we would not be able to prove that the damages was not the results of our use (and those are also not listed on the 30 day report). They promptly and replaced/repaired them rapidly anyway.

7) Since we bought the home, the listed price for it has increased by $40K.

The bad things:

1) Their main salespersons are not friendly and sometimes quite rude. They don't seem to know much and sometimes give the wrong info (intentional or not).

2) Bad planning made us miss our closing date by over 6 months but we got good compensations for the delayed closing (also worth several $K).


Overall, I feel I had dealt with a good company and their people are, in general, very good. I have not heard many bad things about Ascroft that have occured since the Central Park fiasco in the early 2000.

Talking to many of their staff in the head office, I was informed that many of them moved to Ascroft from other reputable builders (Urbandale, Richcraft, etc.) so they have learned the good things from elsewhere and have tried to improve how Ashcroft is doing things since. My hope is that they will keep improving like they did lately and one day, they will be one of the top bulders in term of quality because pricing wise, they are quite good.

I like to think of Ascroft as Hyundai. Remember when Hyundai first came into the market? Where is it now? Not far from Toyota and Honda. And i don't feel that Ascroft is at their starting point so....

That is my experience and my view.

M & M

[barryst]

thanks for the great response m&m

how were their upgrade prices? were you able to get alot out of the bonus?

[BiggieG]

I forgot - We got a freebee too - We got an island included in our kitchen.