CARUSO HOMES REVIEW

I wanted to relay my experience as a customer with the Maryland branch of Caruso Homes so that you can be aware when your employees are underperforming. I signed the build contract on 9/1/2020 and negotiated with my employer to be remote until I move into this house in May 2021. Nearly 14 months later, we are only now nearing a possible close. The past 14 months have been a complete nightmare riddled with last minute housing changes for my family and me, miscommunication, and multiple mistakes by Caruso Homes. I have detailed the timeline below:
– 9/1/2020: signed the Caruso Homes build contract with an expected delivery date of mid May 2021, I was clear that I needed to move in by May 2021 due to moving houses from Baltimore to Gaithersburg.
– 10/16/2020: closed on the construction-perm loan with Sandy Spring Bank to build a house with an expected delivery date of 5/2021
– 2/1/2021: No construction until 2/1/2021, multiple unclear delays; I found out from the bank that the house had started construction rather than the builder. Nobody from Caruso homes notified me that construction started on 2/1/2021.
– 4/2021-5/2021: Halted all construction for 6+ weeks without my knowledge, due to land survey/engineering permit errors; I was told the land surveyor made a mistake when surveying the land by not taking into account the sewage/drainage system, had to reissue a permit
– 6/15/2021: pre-dry wall walkthrough where I was told by the house was going to be completed in July 2021, latest August 2021
– 8/2021-9/2021: the gas permit was never issued because of another clerical error; unclear if this was due to Caruso Homes vs. gas company (blame on both sides), new closing date set for 9/24/2021
– 9/24/2021: closing date came and went; in addition to delays due to gas permit, also the wall tiles were out of stock
– 10/16/2021: bank loan expired without a set close date, multiple additional documents provided to Sandy Spring Bank to request an extension on the construction loan since the build part of the loan had expired
– 10/19/2021: I was told by the Caruso Homes office manager Monica Lanigan that I could have the final walkthrough and key exchange on 10/25/2021, only to find out the occupancy permit will not be requested until at least 10/25/2021. Further, the bathroom is missing listello wall tiles, then told I could have those empty tiles filled, then again told it was not possible. Again, no occupancy permit has been obtained.

Owing to the uncertainties and issues above, I had to make multiple costly arrangements starting in May 2021 including finding last minute temporary housing accommodations in addition to monthly storage fees. I needed multiple rounds of approvals and discussions with my employer to petition for remote work. I certainly hope this is not the standard of practice with Caruso Homes and hope no buyer ever has to go through my experience.