Complaint Review: K. Hovnanian - Great Western Homes - Mesa Arizona

Nothing has changed, still doing business the same way.

I'm curious about the portions of these reports which say that Scott Smith (Great Western Homes) "sold out" to K. Hovnanian Homes. In his undated work history that he provided to the local Arizona Republic newspaper, he lists the following: Great Western Homes -- President, CFO, COO, Owner K. Hovnanian Homes -- President, Phoenix/Tucson Region Great Western Communities, Inc. -- President, Owner Smith's sudden untested entry into the political arena for the first time -- for mayor of the country's 39th largest city no less -- has now made him a person of public interest and concern. I was told of some specified shady business dealings by Smith involving property acquisition, not subcontractors, but don't know if the allegations are true. The scariest thing to me, however, is that he has no track record whatever of serving the public in any government capacity, much less an elected position in this city of about 450,000 people...or anywhere. His experienced and likable opponent in this bid for Mesa mayor (himself a businessman, elected by voters in his district to two 4-year city council terms) made a good analogy of this concern at a recent public forum when he said that business is like driving a speedboat, government is like driving an aircraft carrier. At any rate, his stated work history, being president of those three companies, (above) seems inconsistent with what was said in the previously filed Rip-off reports here.

You must have been one of a few lucky sub's to work for Great Western & K. Hov. You are definitely in the minority as most subs that worked for this builder had to chase them for their FULL payments on every invoice. I personally know of a large framing company that went bankrupt because Great Western refused to pay the lumber premiums whenever there was a price increase in the lumber. As you know, lumber is a commodity and fluctuates in price but GW would never pay the increase if there was one that month and as a result, that Framing Company went out of business. My company is also out of business because of the deceptive business practices that Scott Smith engaded in with his Sub's. I can remember listening to Scott's purchasing agent demand that another sub lower his prices for framing a patio cover or else they would pull the contract from that subdivision and award it to someone else. The poor people of Mesa had better pray to God that Scott Smith does not get elected Mayor because that city is already in trouble. If he does, then all the sub's he owes money to will know where to find him to collect their debts. I guess it's appropriate that a highly dishonest builder goes into politics and becomes a corrupt politician. He's just following the same career path that all low life scum bags follow. I'll be surprised if he gets elected, he's got way too many enemies. Consider yourself a lucky contractor to have survived working for Great Western.

I am the owner of a subcontracting company which formally worked for Great Western Homes before and after they were sold to K. Hovnanian. I never had problems working with them, especially when it came to warranty work. I never felt they pushed the problems onto us and they always made it a priority to stay involved in the process. I know first hand this was a directive from the highest level (in this case Scott Smith). I bid the job to what I felt I could make a profit and won the bid so I'm not sure where the low pay comes in. I always felt it was very fair working with Great Western Homes and they were a great partner.