Back to discussions

Discussion thread

G J Gardner homes. Much is being advertised as the most trusted home builder....

Read this thread as context for better builder due diligence. Original historical wording is preserved and comments are not independently verified unless labelled.

Source and review policy

This thread is one source, not a verdict

Historical comments are preserved for context with original wording where possible. They are not independently verified unless labelled, and may not reflect current circumstances. Use them alongside public records, third-party review sources, contract checks, and a direct response from the builder.

Derek

G J Gardner homes. Much is being advertised as the most trusted home builder. However, we bought a 2013 G J Gardner built home two years ago and have been finding numerous workmanship faults AND design faults. Rats and mice had gotten into the roof space over the years, and although the previous owner had set traps there was quite a lot of chewed up air conditioning ducting. After trapping mice myself, I finally found that the chimney surround had not been sealed off at the bottom. Easy climb for any rodent. Once sealed off, no more mice. The cabinet around the fridge space with a cupboard over the top had ONE SCREW holding it in. One slinding closet door was extremely difficult to adjust because of a hump in the foundation. The walk up to the front door was too steep and friends with walking problems found it very difficult to step up through the front door. Even my fit flexible self wa in trouble from the foot angle on the entry way to skid forward, so the current solution is a very big, slid resistant matt. The driveway entrance to the main road was unnecessarily steep such that most standard cars scrape their noses. Trucks have a hard time draggin their back ends. The slope could easily have been less with proper thought to the extensive driveway area above the entrance. There aren’t any outlets in the bathrooms (bad advice to the owner). The door from the garage to the inside of the house is very poorly oriented and a constant irritant trying negotiate. Bathroom light fixtures had to be changed as poor design and nearly impossible to service. All in all a very poor job.
Reply
Historical discussionNot independently verified
Source detailsComment #117567Source link

Caley

Hey Derek, I work as part of the Head Office team for GJ’s. Sorry to hear about your issues concerning your build. While not a very common occurrence, it is always disappointing to receive a communication from a client of one of our franchisees where expectations have not been met. Could we ask that you email us via headoffice@gjgardner.co.nz so we can gain a better understanding of your situation with a view to resolving with our local franchise? Thank you.
Reply
Historical discussionNot independently verified
Source detailsComment #117596Reply to #117567Thread #117567Source link

Goo

Hi Derek Don’t bother emailing the GJs head office. They don’t want to know you when you have problems. Remember trusted is based on the Readers Digest not people who have built with them!
Reply
Historical discussionNot independently verified
Source detailsComment #117597Reply to #117596Thread #117567Source link

Chris C

Hi Goo, On the face of it I thought Caley’s response to Derek was very reasonable, especially since he was talking about a house that’s 8 years old, and was 6 years old when he bought. Also most of the design faults he mentioned clearly were not bad enough to put him off buying it. To me it is a serious concern that it’s my impression from this blog that most franchise HQs don’t seem to take much action or responsibility regarding actions/omissions of their franchisees, so it’s a pity to discourage one who seems prepared to. Surely a more constructive approach would be to first report yourself on why you said what you did about GJs, and secondly hope that Derek takes up GJs offer, and then reports how it goes. For the record I have no connection whatsoever with GJs, and don’t even know anyone who has actually built with them (other than the people who swear by them on TV most nights!)
Reply
Historical discussionNot independently verified
Source detailsComment #117598Reply to #117597Thread #117567Source link

Goo

Search me on the blog. We built through GJs and had dealings with the head office. My comment was based on personal experience.
Reply
Historical discussionNot independently verified
Source detailsComment #117599Reply to #117598Thread #117567Source link

Chris C

Hi Goo, I did not mean to imply in any way that your comment on GJs was incorrect, or not based on your actual experience. I would certainly be happy to refer back to your previous comments if I could. Unfortunately when you enter your name in the CtrlF search box it also throws up every instance of the word ‘good’, of which there are hundreds, more than I have the patience to look at. Similarly if you enter ‘gj’. Are you able to suggest something else which I could enter, such as the month (and preferably also date) you wrote, eg ‘october 6’.
Reply
Historical discussionNot independently verified
Source detailsComment #117600Reply to #117599Thread #117567Source link