Tartan Homes: Russell Trails - Russell, Ontario

Tania L.

The purchase process was great. The after sale experience was a nightmare for us. We would not buy from Tartan nor would we ever recommend them.

The positive outcome? We now know what to look for in a builder and are extremely happy with our new home and the quality of their workmanship.

Do your research before making a huge investment!

Shannon W.

Our new home!

Staff is amazing, house built solid and switched and fixtures are installed perfect and level !

Mike

Great location and a great sales experience. Unfortunately, that all means nothing when the homes are terribly finished. Like every other builder their will be issues, but tartan prides themselves in better quality homes so you would expect less issues. I don't see the quality in the finishes or attention to detail at all. I don't recommend you purchase any upgrades unless they are upgrades that are complicated to complete after the move in. The service representative I work with is really nice and easy to get along with but that aside it is still a major pain to get all the issues resolved. At the end of the day they are trained to read directly from the book every time you mention an issue, and provide you excuse after excuse even if it doesn't make sense. My last piece of advice, make sure you hire your own inspector for the final walk through, the one tartan provides is a trained deflector and will point random non sense every time you see an issue. You: look there is a crack, Deflector: a crack where? let me show you the soft closing drawer..

Sarah K.

First time home buyer- I wish I knew then what I do now. Do your research. The whole process with Tartan from time of purchase to living in my new home is not what I expected. The sales people are nice until you sign the dotted line, then they lose all politeness. Your emails can go ignored or you get blunt, sometimes rude responses. - we are customers, and I think we deserve to be treated as such.

Tartan will not give you options for changing their floor plans. Small things, like where light switches, pot lights, we were unable to change.
We got the impression that they do not like to change their plans, and you have to be very persistent with them. Be prepared to hear “no” a lot.

The design center is okay...they have some nice options, but not many. I wouldn’t say they have the most up-to-date selections either. I was disappointed in what they had to offer in terms of cabinet colors and quartz.
Most of their floor options don’t have a matching stain option for bannisters, so most tartan homes I’ve gone in, including my own, the stain on your railings/banisters don’t match your floors.

Their “designers” don’t really help, they guide you. So for those that need help, you won’t really find it there. You're best bringing your designer or a friend. But be aware they also can give bad advice - happened to me.

But the absolute worst part is the trades Tartan hires. I am not lying when I say the paint job in my house is terrible - paint on the floor, over dirt, missing paint, nail holes not sanded down etc. Teh taping job in the ceilings is not the best either. One things that bothered me, was they got paint all over the UPGRADED door knobs and hinges, I paid up for those...
Basically, lots of issues. At first Tartan did respond to our emails- but now they won't unless you're really persistent. I would suggest calling.

First week in- we had a leak in the ceiling from the en-suite shower. They did address this somewhat quickly.

The carpet job we were not impressed with - seams everywhere, random cuts along the baseboard that you can see. Nails and tacks all over the stairs. Exposed raw edges. The "fix" really did not address most of the concerns.

Basement ceiling had to be entirely redone- which would be fine, but they got spackling all over our new carpet and furniture. They didn't use drop cloths.

It’s also in the small details. light switch plates that are not level, and their locations suck- I have to walk 5 feet into a dark bathroom to find a light switch that is basically behind the door. Finishing touches, like caulking are not done in several places. Our niche was terribly done.

My point is - Tartan is only as good as the trades people they hire. If you do decide to go with Tartan, just adjust your expectations for when you move in, prepare to have to fight for things to be done correctly, and don't be shy about it. It's your home, that you paid a lot of money for.
Know what you want prior to signing the contract, prepare your questions a head. Ask them about the quality of work, your options in terms of making adjustments, the upgrades available to you. Good-luck!

Sean K.

Don't expect Tartan to care about you after they have your down payment. Office staff will ignore your emails.

We have numerous problems that should be addressed, but Tartan is making us work for it. They obviously rushed to get the house done.

We love the floor plan, but Tartan isn't a company you should do business with.

Dharam P.

Purchase process was good. But after that very poor customer service.

Patrick S.

We go and visit this lovely lady who we place and stack up the newspaper in her car ready for delivery and then I lift up pierre close the cube door then embark in the truck for Embrun Point S

Kevin G.

These houses are, by far, the top in the region. They are huge and well built for a tract builder.