E.G Stoltzfus inc. Review

We are retired Lancaster natives who wanted to return after living in DE for over 20 years. Minimal home maintenance and optimum location were our must-haves . We knew EG Stoltzfus was an established, reputable builder and were thrilled when we found exactly what we wanted in our Carriage Home at Landis Farm. From the beginning our experience has been nothing but positive. Craig and Stephanie were always available or got back to us in a timely fashion to answer any questions we had. Building the house was a dream compared to the other 2 homes we built. They made it easy for us to choose what we wanted or didn t want, and basic selections were varied, with as many upgrades as you could afford or wanted. Many of the included features (ie: wood, self-closing cabinets, recessed porch lights, etc) would have been upgrades with other builders. The quality of building and attentiveness to detail is amazing, (every mitered corner in the house matches up!). And they delivered the home on the exact date they promised. We consider ourselves one of the very fortunate to be able to return to Lancaster and have the perfect dream home here. Thank you.
I also find it interesting that the terrible reviews are cloaked in anonymity.
Berni and George Stadler

Hold onto your wallet, as you will be paying for their mistakes, both on the construction of the home, as well as their manipulation of the HOA.

From inadequate sump pits, to glued-on exterior parts of door frames which fall off, to partial radon systems improperly installed, to failure to disclose previous conditional arrangements with a municipality, to yards which would require tens of thousands of dollars to make soil suitable for planting, get ready to pay for the TEAM's mistakes-hey, they think you should be grateful, it says so on their website.

They created HOA fines out of thin air to steal homeowner's hard earned money in order to pay legal fees for the builder's OWN lawyer over a matter concerning several residents.

Builder's representative also suggested they would not perform work or approve safety railing until homeowner re-planted trees and landscaping in some form, one year after they had used builder's attorney to force the same trees to be cut down.

They have exhibited a consistent pattern of extortionate behavior towards homebuyers.

It is impossible to reconcile their claims on their website which state "We don t just build homes we build relationships", with the contemptuous, unscrupulous, as well as tone-deaf attitude towards the customer's needs which they have exhibited.

Our overall experience with EG Stoltzfus was wonderful! Through the entire planning and building process, their staff was knowledgeable, responsive, professional, and friendly. We absolutely LOVE our home and are so pleased with the quality of its construction.

It s also an excellent value. We spent months trying to find the right neighborhood and home type. We ultimately settled upon the Landis Farm neighborhood and couldn t be happier. It s quiet, safe, scenic, and conveniently located near Routes 30 and 283, and a 10 minutes or so from downtown Lancaster.

As with most experiences, you have small issues arise along the way which is to be expected. It s how your builder handles the situation that speaks volumes. The staff at EG always worked to provide a solution to our requests and concerns (although, there weren t many).

The thought of moving out of our home of 30 years to a new one was extremely daunting. However, the team at EGStoltzfus made that transition an easy one. The sales staff, Stephanie and Craig were not only very knowledgeable about the details of the Coriander II but were also very helpful with suggestions and ideas to create our ideal new home. Their easy going style never made us feel pressured and through out each step of the process they took a can do approach that made tough decisions easier. Their communication was timely and very much appreciated. The building staff, Mike and Nate, also made the construction part of the process a smooth one responding to our questions and concerns and enabling our vision to take shape. The end result is a beautiful house in a wonderful neighborhood that we are proud to call home.

Sue and Doug Rhoads

Our experience with EGStoltzfus has been great. We relocated from out of state and building while not in the area could have been challenging. The EG team worked around our schedule, were extremely knowledgeable in helping us build the house we wanted, and always hit their deadlines. We have lived in the neighborhood for 6 months now and EGStoltzfus has been awesome in their follow-up and attention to detail. We have continued to work with the team and now are partnering on building a patio.

For a company who claims on their website that their "vision" for their company is "To be known for our integrity, honesty, quality and value.", it certainly is bizarre how they have gone out of their way to create problems for, as well as pass off costs to, the very same people who have purchased their homes.

Hopefully they are informing potential buyers at Landis Farm at this time, that they are using the Uniform Planned Community Act as a pretext to force homeowners to comply with rules which are not in place or specific, and instead using "committees" of volunteer residents to come up with suggestions based upon their personal opinions. The UPCA is intended to allow for a structure of specific rules to be put in place, not to be used as a sledgehammer to intimidate and bully.

What kind of integrity does a company have who would tell elderly residents that they will not install a safety railing for them until trees were re-planted in their yard? The same trees they forced homeowners to cut down the year before?

Answer : Zero

There appears to be a contemptuous attitude towards the buyer. BEWARE!!!

We were sold a bill of goods about what we were buying. Two separate homes, same family.

Never told there were restrictions on plantings in single family home unit backyards.

No standards or specific guidelines exist within the governing documents for landscaping in privately owned single family homes.

Yet, they attacked us with legal threats from the start after we planted a number of trees sufficient to provide a modicum of privacy and windbreak. 7-8 foot Norway Spruce, not unlike much taller Norway Spruce and similar evergreens on the property.

Builder/developer hold the majority position on the HOA board.

Also used the municipality to claim easement violation which was never established. Never informed homeowners easement was present at purchase either.

Tried to have our attorney tell them the rules are not there they are claiming. The builders attorney presented themselves as the HOA s attorney when there was no letter of engagement, both at our hearing, and during the entire 6 month course of harassment.

Insufficient notation of minutes at hearing, leaving out many relevant points.

Board requested we submit a plan from a landscape architect, not something required in the governing documents. With no standard to meet, how could one even do so?

Provided requested letter from a certified consulting arborist (Oakwood Tree Care Professionals), stating trees were ok in their layout, but Board ignored the main points.

Finally hired a landscape architect (Fernhill Landscapes), but builder/developer stated they would keep fining us while deciding what to work out with the architect.

Would not stop the campaign until they voted to fine us five months later, then backdated the fines, and when we asked them to send an invoice a week or so after they voted to fine us, it showed we were in arrears for months.

Paid fines in protest, with accompanying letter questioning them, never had a response, until a letter was sent stating board would not come after us for legal fees if we took no further action against the board .

Absolutely disgraceful way to treat customers, two of whom are elderly. Who could expect to be treated in such a manner by the very people you purchased homes from?

Egregious, outrageous, and downright malicious.

Using a builder s lawyer to harass elderly homeowners over a six month period, to the point where it actually affects their health so that they are compelled to cut down trees, does not constitute fair and reasonable, and does nothing to establish guideline rules, particularly when the original HOA documents do not refer to landscaping or trees.

Those original documents do refer to improvements which are structural, however improvements are not landscaping in the state of PA. Additionally, no physical documents concerning the HOA were presented at purchase for any of the homeowners involved in this matter.

Combined with an HOA representative installed under questionable circumstances(acting only in the interest of the builder, one proof of which is the attorney defending his actions in a back and forth complaint with the Bureau of Consumer Protection)who stormed onto property unannounced, who grabbed a non-English speaking H1B visa worker of the company installing the trees, you have a company that will defend wrongdoing if it is in their interest, forgetting the customer/consumer and their needs, rights, or even quiet enjoyment of their own, privately owned backyards.

Just understand, when you buy, what you may be in store for with this builder.

Don t purchase a home from EG Stoltzfus if they are the developer of the subdivision and will run the HOA. EGS employees run the HOA in our neighborhood and have taken the position that EVERY. SINGLE. THING. you place on your property needs to be approved in advance even individual flowers. They don t have the power to micromanage to this extent under the HOA contract, but they have expensive attorneys and may bury you financially if you do something they disagree with. SEVERAL neighbors in my neighborhood have lost thousands of dollars over mere aesthetic disagreements about plantings.

Last year the neighborhood gathered signatures for a petition to hold a special meeting to address EGS s conduct. EGS s attorney showed up at the meeting to convince the neighborhood that they can basically do whatever they want. People brought the HOA contract to the meeting to explain that the HOA had no power to do what they re doing, but the EGS attorney simply stated that they had the power to take legal action against unapproved plants. After the meeting, the EGS employees doubled down and even went as far as to send out a mass email to the community asking for volunteers to patrol the neighborhood looking for unapproved plantings!

In short, if you want to feel like you own the home you paid for, don t buy from EGS if they run the HOA.

This was my first time building a home. I certainly learned a lot and there are things I'd do differently but I would absolutely work with EGStoltzfus again. Overall, I am very pleased with the process. Was EGStoltzfus perfect? No, but they have gone above and beyond to help us and make sure we were happy with the final product. They have even continued to help us with questions after our one year warranty expired. I found the staff, especially Craig and Stephanie with whom we had the most contact, warm, welcoming, knowledgeable and incredibly patient with me as I asked questions and sought to understand the home building process. The result is an absolutely beautiful, well-crafted home that we will love for many, many years to come.

EG recently completed a new home build on our lot. Larry (with EG Stoltzfus) was great to work with. EG stayed on schedule throughout COVID and the quality of workmanship is above par. Very happy with the end product, and happy I went with EG as my builder.

We have worked with EG Stoltzfus to build a new home and for two subsequent remodeling projects. We had a positive experience each time. Employees were easy to work with, responsive when contacted and generally helpful and pleasant.

I have built several homes for my clients over the past 10 years so when I knew I was going to build a home EG was my first choice....a builder that I trust and know will do things properly for their client...I work on one of the highest volume Real Estate Teams in Lancaster County and have built with dozens of different builders and appreciate the quality that EG provides. I know there are negative comments on the site of people complaining about the HOA but it really isn't that bad..there are rules in the HOA docs stating you need to get approval for exterior improvements such as decks, patios, landscaping, ect..this is very common in any HOA community..if anyone ever has questions on EG or the community I would be happy to chat .

EG Stoltzfus build my house, actually all the houses in my development. They used the cheapest material available, and I have replaced a lot of things over the 4 years I have lived here, BUT the last thing to break is what made me decide to post a review..... I woke up to a hanging kitchen light, the junction box broke, cracked where you screw in the light fixture, discovered the light is used, the threaded stem is rusty and they used dry wall screw to attach the light. Never thought I had to check the fixtures to make use they were new and not used on a new build house. DO NOT LET THEM BUILD YOUR HOUSE!!!!!!

After dealing with them on purchase of a tract home, would never consider them for custom home construction.

After searching for literally years Fran and I decided to purchase a carriage home at Landis Farm. We really didn t want to build a home but we couldn t find anything that came close to what we were looking for. Working with the E.G. Stoltzfus team was stress free, they walked us through every stage of the process. Overall, we are very satisfied with our decision, and have really enjoyed meeting, walking and talking with our new neighbors, and being part of such a friendly neighborhood.

Deceptive and fraudulent company-do yourself a favor and stay well away.

I was happy to purchase a new townhome in Locust Run, but the customer service my husband and I have received has been lackluster and unpleasant at best. My whole row of townhouses has been waiting for word on repairs to faulty fire proof wood since March of this year. To not have updates at this point and no direction is unacceptable, especially that our 1 year warranty work is on hold until the issue is fixed. Provide updates to your customers on issues. We paid good money for our homes and we expect to be treated better! To date (10/2), there has been zero communication and follow up on the status of the repairs to our home and others. I would not recommend an EGStoltzfus home to others looking to buy from them. We will not be purchasing from them again in the future.

To purchase an EGStoltzfus house means a quality home and because their reputation preceded them I knew I would not be disappointed. The first reaction by friends who enter my brand-new carriage home is, WOW! and I personally couldn t be more pleased. Thank you to all the professionals who contributed to my new happy place. - A Landis Farm Resident

Great quality and service. Built my new home from a distance and EGStoltzfus meet all deadlines, provide guidance in the building process and seamless process when dealing with their vendors for tile,applicnace, HVAC,etc. Any warranty repairs were addressed immediately . Just had an inquiry about an issue which was out of warranty and they sent someone over same day and fixed the issue which just happened to be my error. Quality company with quality employees and vendors. Couldn t be happier in my new home..

We have built several homes and our experience with EG Stoltzfus
was excellent. We moved here two years ago and were attracted by the reputation of EGS and quality of construction. Working with Stephanie was wonderful as we were able to combine our ideas with the plans for our carriage home. The best part has been living here and becoming part of an active community that appreciates our environment.

We purchased a Carriage home approximately 2 years ago. The pre-construction and construction phases went extremely well. They were easy to work with regarding any issues that surfaced. Our home was well constructed and we have had no major issues. Their 30 day revisit and annual re-contact is a very nice feature.

We purchased an EG Stoltzfus home 14 years ago in the Orchard Hills development in East York. The construction of our home is exceptional! We never had settling cracks nor any leaking. The detail is wonderful! I love the Superior Walls in the basement which are well insulated. The siding never faded and still looks new after 14 years! I would definitely buy another EG Stoltzfus home and recommend this builder to anyone looking for a quality home!

We have greatly enjoyed moving into a Landis Farm carriage home. The neighbors are friendly and fun to be with. We get together on a regular basis. The walking trail is a nature lovers delight. We love feeding the bluebirds right outside our porch windows.

We are very pleased working with EG Stoltzfus in the planning, construction, move-in, and one-year warranty on the home. Although I questioned it, our sales person assured that the home would be completed on a specific date, which is was, and this was helpful in our planning. The quality of construction was high, and the customer service department followed through on questions and minor repairs during the one year warranty. I recommend EG Stoltzfus.

Our experience with EG Stoltzfus has been great. We were first time buyers in the USA, and Stephanie and the team were extremely helpful in guiding us through the process step-by-step in what could have been a very overwhelming and stressful experience. Our questions were always answered, timelines were always clarified and followed, and we were able to add some lovely features to our family home. Everyone we had contact with was polite, friendly and professional. We love our new home and are very pleased we chose to build with EG Stoltzfus in the Landis Farm development.

We had a terrific experience working with EG Stoltzfus as we purchased our carriage home in Landis Farm. Like some others, we were buying and building remotely. Although that did present some challenges, we must commend EGS especially the sales and support staff for their efforts. Everyone was very knowledgeable and professional. The process was remarkably painless and stress free.

We have been enjoying our new home for six months now and are very happy here and with our decision to buy from EG Stoltzfus. The very few minor issues that have arisen so far during the warranty period have all been addressed immediately.

The way your employees, (Mr. Parkins and Mr. Hockenberry) treated several customers, and how you used your lawyer(not the HOA's) to harass and extort them about rules that were not in the CC&R's is making its way around the media outlets.

Sounds like a good subject for a NETFLIX documentary-especially if there were issues related to third party interests the board was pursuing instead of representing homeowners.

Over 70% of new homes in the US are under some form of HOA or community association, so abuses committed by HOA members is a timely subject for sure.

We have lived in our EGStoltzfus home almost two years. I feel it was a very good value for the quality of construction and the available upgrades. They responded in a timely manner to all the follow up items we reported and would rate their customer service excellent. It is an HOA development and there are always a small minority that don't like to hear the word no. I believe if you visited and asked the residents if they have any problems with the HOA you would find just a few. HOA's prevent people from having washlines, dog boxes, ugly sheds, purple painted houses, and forests planted in their back yards. Eventually when fully developed the HOA board will consist of 100% residents.