Termeer and Associates, LLC Termeer Custom Homes, Termeer Design Group Termeer and Associates aka Termeer Design Group Was My Worst Nightmare! Spring Texas
In 6/2012, I contracted with John Termeer of Termeer & Assoc. (who also goes by Termeer Design Group and Termeer Custom Homes) to build my custom home in the Lake Conroe subdivision of Bella Vita. Mr. Termeer's website is impressive, as are the homes highlighted on the website---many of which are in the prestigious gated community of Carlton Woods in The Woodlands. However, consumers need to be mindful that those homes were built years ago when many people worked with/for Termeer. Termeer & Associates now appears to consist of just 3 people: Mr. Termeer (who is in his late 70's), his daughter, Sharon McHugh, and their admin.
When researching Termeer, I located a negative review from a Bella Vita homeowner on Yelp/Local. In her review, she mentioned warranty issues and that she had been advised to sue Mr. Termeer. At the time, hers was the only Bella Vita home built by Termeer. When I asked about the review, Termeer told me her problems were the result of a swimming pool she contracted to build AFTER she purchased and moved into the home. I took him at his word. Furthermore, I was not aware that homeowners Ramon and Wenona Martinez had filed a lawsuit in the Harris County District Court against Termeer & Assoc. and John Termeer over "a $3.2 million home built by Termeer" for alleged shoddy work. They also were quoted (in the newspaper) that Termeer is "underfunded." I was also not aware that Termeer did not own any lots in Bella Vita. My understanding is preferred builders must own 2 lots in Bella Vita. No one will explain to me how Termeer is allowed to build in Bella Vita; although I have sent an email request to the developer (Signorelli/BV Board of Director) who never responded.
My husband and I moved into the home when it was considered substantially completed 6/2/2013. As of TODAY, Termeer has not completed the punch list, and the City of Conroe did not issue me a Certificate of Completion to occupy the home until 8/2013.
The building process with Termeer was a nightmare---the way Termeer handles allowances, change orders, invoices (or lack thereof), and final settlement. I received sub-contractors threats of liens against my house for unpaid bills. A $40,000 check that Termeer wrote to the pool builder bounced. At the same time, the Bella Vita HOA was calling me, emailing me, and sending me "covenant violations" notices with fines of $100/day---when the violations were being broken by Termeer, not by me (working on Sunday, no erosion fence)!
The day-to-day supervision of the building of my home was handled by Termeer's daughter, Sharon McHugh. Termeer repeatedly ignored my request that he take a more hands-on approach. Ms. McHugh was habitually late for almost every meeting I had with her. I would often get a call from her asking that I "meet me at the house ASAP." I rarely had advance notice of a meeting.
There were a lot of quality control issues, which we are still trying to resolve with Termeer. For example, Ms. McHugh, without our permission, substituted tankless hot water systems for what our specifications stated (conventional hot water heaters). Once installed, we complained over and over again that we could not get consistent hot water at our faucets. Mr. Termeer sent many email replies advising that nothing was wrong with our hot water supply. At no time did he visit our house to test for himself. Two months after moving into the house, I contacted and paid for a private plumber who advised me the tankless hot water systems were installed incorrectly to one main pipe versus being cut/capped to act independently---they were confusing each other and shutting off altogether. This "lack of hot water at faucets in an acceptable timeframe" issue is ongoing. Our travertine tiles in our house/floor are now cracking. Our stucco that was damaged by Termeer's subs was (just last week) repaired using the wrong color and remains unresolved. After 3-1/2 months of waiting for subs to show up (often, they did not, or they would show up with zero notice), here is my advice:
Would I recommend Termeer Design Group aka Termeer and Associates? No!
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Another Lawsuit against John J. Termeer recently settled for $350,000
#4Author of original report
Fri, October 06, 2017
Another disgruntled person who contracted for Termeer to build a home on his property in Carlton Woods, Creekside recently reached a settlement with Termeer. The plaintiff’s last name is Henderson. According to the public information on the Harris County (Texas) clerk’s website “Henderson is entitled to judgment from and against Defendants (Termeer & Associates, LLC, and John J. Termeer) jointly and severally, as stated herein...Defendants (Termeer) have admitted liability for the claims asserted against defendants in Henderson’s second amended petition, including breach of contract, statutory fraud, and constructive fraud...Henderson is awarded judgments against defendants...in the amount of...$350,000...set forth in Section 1 of the September 25, 2017 Settlement and Release Agreement.” The petition makes for an interesting read, as well as the many other filed legal papers regarding this lawsuit. If a person is considering entering an agreement with John J. Termeer regarding any type of home or office construction, you would be wise to research the Henderson lawsuit for details.
Julie
Conroe,Texas,
Termeer No Longer on Bella Vita's Preferred Builder's List
#4Author of original report
Fri, September 05, 2014
On August 26, 2014, all home and lot owners in Bella Vita received an email from Stanley and Payne Property Executives, which represents the Bella Vita Homeowners' Association. The email stated:
"The Board of Directors have been working diligently on a resolution to transfer power of the New Construction Committee from the Developer to the Board and to amend the Approved Builders list for Bella Vita HOA, Inc. Accordingly, the approved Builder list currently consists of: Signorelli Homes and Champion Custom Home Builders."
John Termeer aka Termeer Custom Homes aka Termeer and Associates aka Termeer Design Group has been removed from the list of approved builders in Bella Vita.
Furthermore, the Rutledge Law Office has filed a petition against John Termeer and dba Termeer Custom Homes, LLC in an attempt to collect $10,766.17 for alleged outstanding invoices for services rendered when the Rudledge Law office represented John Termeer and dba Termeer Custom Homes in the case filed against them (Cause No. 12-07-07150; Kevin Jenkins and wife Lauren Jenkins and Unirealty Management, LLC v. Termeer and Associates, LLC d/b/a Termeer Custom Homes, LLC and Tom Clark and wife Jane Clark; In the 9th Judicial District Court of Montgomery, Texas.)
In addition, the Jenkins' lawsuit / case / Cause No. 12-07-07150 is scheduled for a pre-trial converence at 9 a.m. on November 14, 2014 and the trial is scheduled to begin November 17, 2014 at 9 a.m. This is public information which can be viewed on the internet (past and future notices once they are determined in a court of law).
According to my understanding, that makes at least two outstanding lawsuits against John Termeer aka Termeer Custom Homes aka Termeer and Associates aka Termeer Design Group.
Consumers who are considering hiring John Termeer should be aware of the continued problems regarding Termeer and his company.
Julie
Conroe,Texas,
Update to my review re John J Termeer aka Termeer and Associates, Termeer Design Group, Termeer Custom Homes
#4Author of original report
Thu, February 06, 2014
My advice to all: Go here: https://gov.propertyinfo.com/tx-montgomery/ and register to use Montgomery County's online records search. It's free. Once you have registered, log on and do a name search for John J Termeer and also Termeer and Associates. THIS IS PUBLIC INFORMATION! Pay close attention to any liens or reverse mortgages associated with Termeer and his company. Financial stability should be considered when advising others that a builder is "the complete package."
Next, ask for Termeer's resume. If he gives it to you, check it for accuracy. Verify any college degrees he claims to have received through the National Student Clearinghouse. Call all the professional societies (if he has listed them on his resume and/or LinkedIn), and verify he was/is a member---particularly the American Society of Civil Engineers. Then ask Termeer about his website www.termeer.com and the homes that are listed today (2/5/14) as "available." Zillow.com shows that 10 Glensheen Way was built in 2006 and is not available for sale. It shows 27 N Fazio Way was built in 2007 and is not available for sale. Some months back, I walked through 27 N Fazio and met the owner.
Also what about the two other men in the photo under "meet the builder" at Termeer's website. Ask Termeer who they are and do they still work for/with him. Then ask him exactly how many people do work for him, and who walks the property daily during construction. Ask to meet that person BEFORE signing the contract.
Ask Termeer if anyone has and is currently suing him, and if so, why? Ask if he has sued anyone, and if so, why? What was the outcome of the lawsuits.
And lastly (for now), if Termeer's contract is a Greater Houston Builders Association contract, MAKE SURE Termeer attaches "Exhibit H (or the I updated version)" (Disclosure Statement for a Residential Construction Project), which states: "Texas law requires your contractor to provide you with this brief overview of some of your rights, responsibilities, and risks in this transaction. Know your contractor"..."make sure you have investigated your contractor." Under "Monitor Payments," "Exhibit H (or I) reads": "Your contractor is also required to furnish you with a statement at least once each month of money disbursed to subcontractors and suppliers for this project. Review these statements and make sure that the money is being properly disbursed." Then ask Termeer, "Will you be furnishing me with a statement once a month of money disbursed to subcontractors and suppliers for my project?"