Pacific Gate Development
Reviews and Complaints

Yet another victim of Pacific Gate coming forward since we're fed up with the extremely poor service from this so-call builder. Using the builder term is actually too generous as he's more of a PM and as many others have cited, just hired cheap East Indian trades who often do a lousy job and pay not attention to details. You, as the owner have to go to the site as often as you can to monitor and keep track as the PM doesn't care once he's got all of your money upfront. If money doesn't come in on demand, the work stops regardless how much you have already put out. So much for working with his clients in tough times when he knows people are in vulnerable positions.

It's almost taking 2 years to build our home with numerous unwarranted delays, complaints, disputes, sleepless nights while he's using our money to fund other investments. We're older and don't have the energy to continue fighting with him and this was going to be our retirement home.

Although there are many who suffered and wished they never were got duped into buying land from his Remax agent sister, who over promised and never delivered, we all hope that one day, sooner rather than later, he has the decency to change his practice for the better and actually takes pride in his work for once.

It is safe to say that the majority of his clients would never want anything to do with him again and so not wish anyone to suffer as they did going through a nightmare of an ordeal. He can learn something from his brother at TYKO who has the credibility and a decent human being that people can at least trust.

People wanted cheap rates and go with Pacific Gate but in fact, the final fees work out to be more less of the same of TYKO but you don't have to put up with the bull#### and extreme delays (unless you have lots of money to pay at all times) while Ken/Jack will do it by the book. If you drive around the City, you'll see the homes built by TYKO moves in a very fast pace...which is good on them.

Pacific Gate, it's never too late to turn your reputation around, one step at a time, by doing what you're suppose to do when holding people's hard earn money, to earn the true definition of a "builder". Stop pissing people off and make their lives difficult. This is suppose to be their dream and not a nightmare. Do what you promise to do on your end of the bargain. Maybe in a few years from now if you practice doing good deeds, things may change for the better and people will actually refer others to you for once. Do this for your family so wife and kids will benefit from the above later, as Buddha has eyes and ears to see everything you do. Every bad deed you do will only compound and will result in unfavorable karma for your kids to bear when they grow up. If you love your wife and kids, it's never too late to start being a good human being and start doing good deeds. Stop making people suffer!

May you find peace in your soul search.

Another long delayed build finally completed by Pacific Gate :-(

Listen up people, to these facts from personal experience before you sign up.

Over promised, under delivered
Deceptive and shady practices
You do business with them, you wish you could've backed out
High upfront payments/costs but work is slow
Very high mark-ups from what the trades charge, with you paying the higher costs
Only tell you what you need to know, and then unexpected surprises come throughout the build which resulted in more money, up to completion
Nothing is ever written down, only in his head
Due to hidden costs, expect to fork out a lot more money from the contract cost, typically it's $100-$200K more
Trades are not paid on time so don't be surprise if you never hear from them
You'll be left feeling rip off due to B.S. costs

+...too many more to list, but you get the picture!

To potential clients,
You need to read this and run as far away as you can from this company. The guy that runs this outfit, Tom Nguyen, is very dishonest and deceitful. His contract is very tempting but he has hidden loopholes in it for himself so he can add extra costs as he desires. Phone calls to him could be ignored or never returned (includes text and email) but when your payment is due, he is at your doorstep within the hour. His price quotes for extra items changes as one would change underwear. He has no integrity whatsoever and I have worked with a lot of people. His work is mediocre at best and the for the money you will end up paying, go with another contractor even if his price seems steep at first. His customer service sucks as he is only nice and butters you up only prior to signing contract and when collecting money. I never wish ill to anyone but with him, I might make an exception
It is too late for me and my family, we are in too deep

I am writing this as we are having a house built by Tom Nguyen of Pacific Gate Development. I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt. But this guy just takes advantage of you. IF YOU ARE READING THIS, WALK AWAY FROM THE CONTRACT BEFORE YOU SIGN. The deal may sound good, Tom can do anything you wish...but there is always a hidden cost. "ABSOLUTELY" is his favorite saying and that means $$$. He will pile on costs over costs over costs. You are better off going with someone else. This has been a nightmare for my family. I am a fair person and I don't mind people making a profit; it is business. But don't lie and keep tacking on costs. It is underhanded and deceitful. Tom, what goes around comes around. And I hope that you will lose business. I will continue to post (and I encourage others to do so), so that we can save others from this greedy ###.

Home owners beware! Pacific gate development is great BEFORE you pay a deposit. Once they lock you down as a customer it is nearly impossible to get a hold of them. We had a 57' wide lot and they drew a plan for a house that was only 34' wide. Fortunately, we realized the ridiculousness of the plan and asked them to redraw. They are solely concerned about their profit and DO NOT care about the safety, quality or esthetics of their buildings.

Their service is horrible during the designing/planning stage. We basically ended up doing our own research and drawing our own internal plan because our specific requests were not drawn. Tom Nguyen, the principal builder, was late to many consultative appointments and downright did not show up on many others. They promised that we would get a permit in about 2 months because they had a contact at city hall to push the permit through quickly. We were gullible to believe this. In reality, it was after 5 months wait that we received an email from city hall advising about numerous deficiencies in the building plan that needed to be addressed before a permit would be issued.

He entices customers with a very low prices and and promises to finish houses in record time. Do not fall for these lies. We were very stupid to believe him and are paying the price for it. Many of his other projects are months delayed because he does not pay his subcontractors so they refused to do the work.

A friend of mine had a house built by him that had issues within months after completion. Further, the house was broken into because Pacific Gate bought and installed the cheapest lock possible on the house.
You are not the only customer dissatisfied with Pacific Gate Development. This company would spew any promise and lie to get the customer to put down a deposit. Then they use that money to fund their house flipping business and your house is a back burner project given very little attention or priority. Projects go way over time and budget. They will give a low ball estimate then try to recoup costs during the project by forcing you to pay for features that should be included in the original price. If you refuse to pay they will hold you hostage by not returning your calls for weeks and abandoning your house unfinished for an indefinite length of time. They promise to pay $100 per day that the project is late--Do not fall for this. They will not pay the late fee - this has happened to many homeowners I know.

Pacific Gate Development Tom Nguyen is a bad builder who lacks integrity. Complaints have been filed against this builder for defects. Cited in the report, not only he didn't follow proper installation, he didnt follow building standard as well. 3rd parties have repaired his defective work and that of his contractors. There's only one thing he is good at deception.