Black Tip Associates

We contracted with Mark, Black Tip over a year and a half ago to build a home for us. We had already purchased a lot thus ready to build. The plans were submitted and revised to suit the situation of the lot and a price agreed upon. The provisions were that the potential cost increases would generally be to wood and foundation blocks based on the Covid issues of supply and demand. We agreed and went forward with the build. Meticulous for detail and cost awareness, Mark and Mike kept an aye on the products and construction methods for accuracy and timelines. With any such construction, issues arise and were corrected swiftly. Black Tip was easy to deal with and listened to our concerns and took them to heart. Mark was very concerned for us as customers and kept us informed as issues came up and adjustments were made to the satisfaction of everyone. We totally expected price increases due to the economic instability in the country due to Covid issues effecting every avenue of society. Mark and Black Tip were honest and above board even going that extra mile to stretch the budget to keep it within limits. Yes, there were overages s expected and negotiations were completed to every ones satisfaction. We found it a very pleasurable experience working with Mark, Mike and the crew of Black Tip. Home construction is a " guessing game " when it comes to pricing especially in today's market so be patient and expect increases and possible decreases, you will be kept informed by Mark.

I seldom post reviews on-line. Exceptional or very poor experiences get me motivated to do so. Our experience with Black Tip Associates ended on a very poor note. We started off excited about the opportunity to build a new home in Ford's Colony. Mark spent quality time with us walking several lots and showing us some homes built by Black Tip Associates. We even had the opportunity to talk to a couple in the process of moving into their new home. We were impressed with the quality of the homes and were ready to move forward if Black Tip could work with our budget. This was critical to us as my wife and I are both retired. Only after Mark assured us that they could work with our budget did we agree to go forward. A lot was selected ($15k lower than the discussed budget) and some minor adjustments were made to a Black Tip home design. After paying $6k for revised drawings, a soil sample for the lot and an engineering survey of the lot, Mark informed us a couple weeks later that the formal budget for the lot and house construction would total $148,000 more than the budget we had discussed and cleared with him. This bait and switch approach and the revised cost were unacceptable to us and we did not move forward with building of the house. However, we were stuck with having to pay the $6k. The lack of honesty displayed by Mark about the costs was very disappointing. Had he told us during the initial budget discussion that our numbers would not work, we would not have moved forward with building a house, would not have spent $6k and I would not be submitting this review. Caveat emptor (buyer beware) dealing with Black Tip.

Mark was the Project Manager for a Ryan Homes/NVR we purchased )Parkway Towns Community, Williamsburg 23185) townhouse in January 2016. Mark cared for our new home as though it was his own. Meticulous, detail oriented and an adept builder! Now with GTB as Operations Manager and available for contract work.