I heard a rumor last week that Columbia based homebuilder Altieri Homes had closed shop. I decided to try and check it out .I visited the offices at 9017 Red Branch Road. At 10 AM on a Wednesday morning no one answered the door at the second floor corporate offices or the design center downstairs. The next day I dropped by the sales trailer at their Hebron Manor project in Ellicott City. Though the sign said that the sales trailer should have been opened at that time it wasn’t. I left a phone message for the sales agent but I never received a call back. Judging from this limited bit of research I’d have to conclude that the rumors of Altieri Homes demise appear to be true.
Anytime a business closes it is painful. When a home builder closes the pain is a little more widespread. Consider those folks who bought homes from Altieri in the past year. The chances of getting the builder back to fix any problems are pretty slim. That may be a moot point anyway. Judging from these comments, Altieri wasn’t doing a very good job on the following up thing even before this rumor started circulating.
Of course it is not just the customers that are affected by the sudden closing. Contractors and vendors often get stiffed too. When I stopped by the Hebron Manor project there was one subcontractor on site doing concrete work. I couldn't help but wonder if these poor bastards would ever see a dime for that day’s labor.
