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Experiences with Manuel Builders (good or bad)?

Posted on 2/25/26 at 8:10 pm
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1893 posts
Posted on 2/25/26 at 8:10 pm
Going to their dog & pony show tomorrow night. Prices are very attractive (almost too good to be true), wondering if they are legit or a gussied-up version of DR Horton.
Posted by Bayou Warrior 64
Member since Feb 2021
808 posts
Posted on 2/25/26 at 8:27 pm to
They are typically much better then D R Horton. When it comes to the quality of construction of a dwelling, in all seriousness, you get what you pay for. The more you are willing to spend, the better the quality of building materials, components, & systems.

Regardless of who builds your home, the best investment you can make is to have a home inspection performed upon the dwelling's completion. Thank me later! It is amazing, regardless of the builder the number of loose ends that remain.
This post was edited on 2/25/26 at 8:31 pm
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1893 posts
Posted on 2/25/26 at 8:45 pm to
Thanks - that reminds me of the old saying, "you get what you inspect, not what you expect."
Posted by Spelt it rong
Louisiana
Member since Oct 2012
10827 posts
Posted on 2/25/26 at 9:06 pm to
I live in a Manual neighborhood. The first phase homes (mine, circa 2016) were all a bit more contemporary and ALL of us have full or >90% brick. All of the stuff they have built in the last 5 years is more modern and trendy, but I don't think it's as high of quality.

Don't get me wrong, they still look good overall (especially the interiors), but the speed at which they're built, for the relatively low cost, combined with the bland facades makes me think the quality must be suffering a bit.

I could be totally wrong in my thinking, of course.
Posted by SwampBooty
Sulphur, LA
Member since Sep 2015
800 posts
Posted on 2/25/26 at 9:30 pm to
What’d you get quoted per square foot?
Posted by LOL
Member since Jun 2015
811 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 7:32 am to
It is definitely a step up in every aspect from DR Horton (and we know who those homes are for).
Posted by BlackPot
Member since Oct 2016
2632 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 10:47 am to
I have a few friends that have used Manual to build their houses, and every single one of them said they'd never use them again if they had to. Prices are attractive because they do very mediocre work. Attention to detail is not their strong suit. I almost went with them because their Facebook post / pictures look fantastic. Doors are crooked, cabinet hinges are painted over, one friend had his brick archway start falling down inside, lack of communication, etc. They do put their floor playouts on the internet so you could always bring that to a better builder.

This is just want I've heard from them, so take that for what it's worth.
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1893 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 11:35 am to
quote:

every single one of them said they'd never use them again


I was hoping for better feedback than this, but this seems to be the norm nowadays. I'm fighting with a roofer and a metal building contractor to finish and start their respective projects. How some of these MF's stay in business is beyond me.

Anyways, we are looking at an "upper end" home plan from Manuel, built on property I already own. Listed pricing on their website is $180/sq ft (+/-), which is a tad lower than the going rate for standard finish/features I think ($200/ft?).

I'll still go to their sales pitch, but armed with the information in this thread I'm not impressed.

Side question - does there exist a home builder who isn't a pathological liar or scam artist? Do what you said you'd do, and charge a fair price. Changes and add-on's are on me. Is that really too much to ask for?
Posted by 3deadtrolls
lafayette
Member since Jan 2014
6803 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 11:52 am to
They're pretty much like DSLD, probably a step up from DR Horton.
Posted by sonoma8
Member since Oct 2006
8122 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 12:12 pm to
Make sure they double check your plat lines before building, unless you want half your house on your neighbors property line.
Posted by BlackPot
Member since Oct 2016
2632 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 1:02 pm to
I live in a small town, so we have local builders around. That's what I did. It's him and his crew. I grabbed a floor plan I liked online, brought it to him and off we went.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47557 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 1:12 pm to
there are plenty of low volume home builders in BR area that do good work. you are not required to use a shitty chain-house developer/builder (unless thats part of the terms of your lot).

remember the adage...good/fast/cheap. pick 2
Posted by Solo Cam
Member since Sep 2015
34840 posts
Posted on 2/26/26 at 11:04 pm to
They're equivalent to DSLD

DR Horton is a big step down form both of them

Only builders in area that I know for sure to stay away from is DR Horton and Bardwell Homes. Bardwell homes has gotten such a bad reputation amongst builders in the past few years.
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1893 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 10:26 am to
Additional info to better define my boundaries and constraints:

- I own this property (3+ acres) outright. No HOA and no restrictions.
- Need 4 BR, 3 baths. Everything else is negotiable.
- Budget hard limit is $600k, and that includes utilities (water, gas & sewer)

I seem to be in a zone above the typical tract home but well below the $1M+ custom builds by Manchac Homes, Craft and the like.

Well versed in the good/fast/cheap paradigm. A well-built home using quality materials is my priority; not in a hurry and I hope my budget resolves the 'cheap' factor.

If you know builders in the BR area who might fit my niche, I'd appreciate some leads.
Posted by non nobis solum
Member since Aug 2024
26 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 10:34 am to
Can ot list some names in the ebr area that we can follow up on some leads to build for fair price around 200$ and below? Quality dont have to be top notch but sound.
Posted by jlsufan
Baton Rouge
Member since May 2021
398 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 10:53 am to
give Colby Constructors a look
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47557 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 1:25 pm to
Colby is a good choice as mentioned above.
Schumacher and manchac obviously
Also Patterson and Alvarez worth talking to

Don’t discount companies like manchac. Your budget is worthy, the land sounds like it’s ready and it sounds like you know what you want…ie; you will be a good customer to have. It will help greatly if you have (at minimum) a general floor plan flow you like and a general idea of exterior wants and needs. Make it easy for a company like that to build your house and you’ll be shocked at the result
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47557 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 1:28 pm to
Also…gonna sound weird but talk to companies like Cretin. Only an option if they have a house model you like, but the quality is very high, they go up quickly and the prices are within range. You can also customize (take over interior finish selection for example) without jeopardizing the economic model they use
Posted by Unobtanium
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2009
1893 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 6:16 pm to
Greatly appreciate the recommendations.

Sidebar - do you still like your Bluestar oven?
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47557 posts
Posted on 2/27/26 at 7:41 pm to
you’re welcome
And yes, very much so. I just got a new round bottom wok as a matter of fact and the open burners are like a jet engine on that thing

And I used the broiler for the first time last night holy shite. Ultimate firepower
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