We signed a contract with Kaye Lifestyle Homes in July 2021, expecting completion by September 2022 but the house wasn't finished until March 2024. It was only through our constant oversight that any progress was made after discovering a seven-month delay in permitting. We moved closer to Naples to monitor the progress, which was promised monthly but delayed each time. Communication was poor; we went through eight project managers, causing major delays and frustration. Financially, we were hit with a $72,000 overage just weeks after being told the project was on budget. Unauthorized upgrades were performed and charged to us, and They dug up the grass on the right of way, laid sod that should have been for the front yard, forcing us to purchase more sod for our lawn. The contracts are heavily skewed in favor of the company, allowing them to extend timelines indefinitely and refusing to address issues found after moving in. Prospective buyers should document everything, be prepared for delays and extra costs, and thoroughly review contracts.
I am writing this review not out of spite or to seek revenge, but to provide a genuine account of my experience with Kaye lifestyle Homes in the hope that it will help others make informed decisions. I wish I had been more cautious and aware of what to expect when choosing this company, and I want to share my story to prepare others for potential issues they might encounter.
When we signed the contract in July 2021, we were assured that building a home in Naples while living in Wyoming would not be an issue. However, it turned out that we needed to be much closer to oversee the progress, as we had to constantly nag the company at every step. After giving all the downpayments, we were "forgotten," and they didn't even send in for permitting for seven months. Had we not come down to Naples for a vacation in February 2022, our lot would still be undeveloped. We anticipated having the house completed in September 2022, retiring October 2022 and moving in soon thereafter.
Upon discovering this neglect, we immediately contacted the company, who then promised to expedite the permitting process and assured us the home would be completed by January 2023 at the latest. However, as time passed, it became clear this was not the case. We reached out again and were given a new completion date of March 2023. Consequently, we retired in February 2023 and moved to Okeechobee to be closer to Naples. Every month, they promised completion the following month. During this time, we had to dip into our retirement fund for living expenses, which could have been avoided had we been given the correct information. The house was not complete until March 8, 2024, over a year later than promised. It took a total of 2 years, 7 months and 17 days to build this house. And this was only completed due to our diligence in making sure that they kept working on our house.
Communication with the company was inconsistent and there were significant delays in responses, which added to unnecessary stress and frustration to the process. We went through eight project managers from the beginning until we closed. The disconnect repeatedly set us back on our timeline.
Financial discrepancies were another major issue. We were hit with an overage fee of $72,000, just weeks after the owner Jay Kaye, told our loan officer that the project was on task and they did not need any extra money.
Additionally, the company would perform upgrades without approval and then charge us extra. It's crucial to be diligent about what they are doing. They also tore up the grass on the right of way and placed sod meant for our yard there, leaving us to pay for new sod for the front lawn.
One critical point to note is the nature of Kaye lifestyle Homes' contracts. Both the initial contract and the "New Home Orientation" agreement are heavily skewed in favor of the company. The initial contract allows them to charge extra fees at their discretion and extend the project timeline indefinitely, as confirmed by two lawyers. Additionally, the "New Home Orientation" contract states that Kaye lifestyle Homes will only address cosmetic issues and punch list items noted on the inspection report at the time of the orientation. This means they will not fix anything discovered after moving in, which is impractical since it's impossible to identify every potential issue during a brief inspection. Prospective buyers should be aware of these terms, as they do not seem fair and can lead to significant challenges and additional costs.
Given these experiences, I advise anyone considering Kaye lifestyle Homes to be vigilant and thorough in their dealings with the company. Ensure all agreements and promises are documented in writing, and be prepared for potential delays and communication challenges.
My hope is that by sharing my story, others will be better prepared and can avoid some of the difficulties we faced.
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