Lakes at Laurel Highlands

Pros

• Nick is described as the best salesman at DR Horton by a reviewer.
• Nick and the staff provide excellent service.
• A realtor regards DR Horton communities as among the best they've visited, citing beauty, peace, and builder quality.
• The homes are described as beautiful with great options.
• The reviewer loves the neighborhood and has purchased a home there.
• Camille is described as a pleasure to work with.
• The sales/construction team is amazing.
• The community is described as the best neighborhood to live in.

Cons

• DR Horton will not cover repairs for water intrusion through foundations caused by improper sealing.
• The homes are delivered with poor craftsmanship, incomplete finishes, and missing features like light fixtures, ceiling fans, and hardware.
• DR Horton uses 3-tab shingles, which are inadequate for Florida weather, leading to roofs deteriorating within a few years.
• Warranty claims are unanswered; communication about repairs is non-responsive.
• Construction defects include crooked doors, poor sealing around bathrooms, and water leaks due to rushed workmanship.
• Significant drainage problems in yards cause high water bills and are not addressed under warranty.
• The sales process is described as aggressive with misinformation about warranties, leaving buyers feeling misled.
• Construction noise occurs early in the morning due to ongoing site activity.
• Post-purchase customer service is unfriendly or uncaring, with buyers' concerns ignored.

Review

DR Horton's communities around Lakeland and the Tampa Bay area draw a wide range of experiences from buyers, realtors, and homeowners. On one hand, several reviewers sing praises about the beauty of the neighborhoods, the quality of the homes, and the kindness and professionalism of certain sales staff. They describe lush landscapes, well-laid-out communities, and strong appeal for families looking for a fresh, new-home experience. In particular, Nick - the sales consultant highlighted by multiple reviewers - receives repeated commendations for going the extra mile, delivering enthusiastic service, and being a standout in the DR Horton experience. Jaime Ocana also voices appreciation for the person - an indication that at least some members of the sales and construction teams leave a lasting positive impression. A realtor who has visited numerous communities also notes that this one stands out for its beauty, peaceful vibe, and the apparent quality of the builder, while other buyers comment on the "best neighborhood to live" and the "great options" available in the portfolio.

Yet the favorable notes sit alongside a flood of concerns about quality, reliability, and after-sales support. A recurring thread is the sense that some individuals feel they were discouraged from asking questions or were left with unresolved issues after closing. In particular, reviewers have pointed to experiences with a sales consultant named Alexander Skinner, describing him as rude and offering poor English, with explicit advice to avoid dealing with him. While this is just one voice among many, it highlights a perception that customer care can be inconsistent across the company and that interactions with specific staff can color a buyer's overall view of the builder.

Quality and craftsmanship concerns dominate the most negative feedback. A notable "alert" shared by buyers centers on water intrusion and foundation sealing problems that are described as not being properly addressed. Several homeowners claim that DR Horton will not cover structural repairs tied to these issues, effectively placing the burden on the buyer. The situation is compounded by complaints about the use of 3-tab shingles, which reviewers argue perform poorly in Florida's heat, wind, and rain, and by accusations that warranty information given at model homes does not match the fine print. One reviewer even asserts that the roof, six years after purchase, looks twenty years old, underscoring a sense that long-term durability has been compromised right from the start. These voices emphasize that internal warranty processes, and the responsiveness of the company to warranty claims, fall short of expectations - if claims are even acknowledged.

The post-closing experience is another strong source of dissatisfaction. Several buyers report that their homes arrived on closing day with missing or inadequate finishings: no light fixtures, no dining or foyer pendants, missing bathroom hardware, no ceiling fans, and even a front door that sticks. Cleaning issues and construction residue persist in certain homes, with reports of mop smears on floors, dust on walls, and debris left behind. Some residents recount a general sense that the home was "thrown together" rather than delivered with the care one would expect from a brand-new home. The impression is that checklists and inspections either aren't thorough or aren't consistently executed, leaving buyers to contend with imperfect finishes long after they move in.

Communication and responsiveness emerge as another frequent pain point. A number of reviewers describe difficulty reaching anyone after they've closed, including warranty teams and the front desk. When problems surface, some buyers feel dismissed or told that issues aren't warrantable. In one particularly distressing case, a homeowner describes a serious drainage problem and a cascade of unproductive replies, culminating in a failure to investigate or fix a problem that impacts the whole yard. Complaints about unreturned calls, delayed service appointments, and coordination misfires with construction crews - sometimes arriving at odd hours - underscore a broader perception that customer care evaporates once the sale is completed. The sense is that the builder's emphasis on volume sometimes overshadows individualized service and timely problem-solving.

The neighborhood's practical realities also shape the overall impression. Reviewers note that the community is generally beautiful and well-situated, with proximity to amenities in Lakeland and Tampa and a sense of peace within the subdivision. However, the reality of scale and density - one clubhouse serving hundreds of homes, early-morning construction noise with cranes and drilling - creates an ongoing tension for residents who hoped for a seamless transition into a fully established, low-disruption environment. There are also ongoing infrastructure concerns, such as drainage problems that some residents say required major fixes by neighbors or the city, and persistent cracks or settlement indicators seen near the housing stock. Even as some buyers feel fortunate to be in a desirable location, others caution that these structural and maintenance concerns can erode the pleasures of living in a new-build community.

In the end, the overall experience with these DR Horton communities seems to be a blend of strong positives and significant cautions. For every homebuyer who highlights the beauty of the homes, the wealth of options, and the reliable courtesy of certain staff members, there are others who warn of warranty disputes, construction quality issues, and the challenge of getting timely support after move-in. Prospective buyers should weigh the appeal of a brand-new, aesthetically pleasing home and a location with access to major cities against the possibility of ongoing maintenance concerns, higher-than-expected costs for repairs, and some variability in customer service. As with many large-volume builders, experiences appear to diverge considerably from one owner to the next, making thorough due diligence, careful inspection, and clear dialogue about warranties and post-close service essential for anyone considering a purchase in these developments.

This part of Lakeland, Florida, is a convenient and bustling area with easy access to transportation through Lakeland Linder Regional Airport. There are several places of worship nearby for spiritual enrichment, as well as a variety of restaurants offering diverse cuisine options. For medical needs, there are numerous physicians' offices and pharmacies in the vicinity, along with hospitals and healthcare facilities such as Lakeland Regional Health Medical Group. Residents can also enjoy leisurely activities at cafes like Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro and parks such as Adair Park and Woodlake Park. Overall, this neighborhood offers a mix of amenities and services that cater to senior living needs.

Transportation

• Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) (1.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Victory Church at Lakeside Village (2.1 miles)
• Church Of The Resurrection (3.4 miles)
• The Rock Community Church (3.9 miles)
• South Florida Baptist Association (5.5 miles)
• Christ Lutheran Church (5.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Grillsmith (2.1 miles)
• Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant (2.2 miles)
• Fred's Market Lakeland (2.3 miles)
• Olive Garden (2.3 miles)
• Burger King (2.5 miles)
• Azteca D’ Oro (2.6 miles)
• Wendy's (3 miles)

Physicians

• Lakeland Orthopaedic Clinic (2.1 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Health Medical Group (3.2 miles)
• Lakeland Open Mri (3.6 miles)
• Lakeland Surgical & Diagnostic (3.8 miles)
• St Luke's regional health care (4 miles)
• Kids Neurology (4.1 miles)
• MEDI Weightloss Clinic (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Ariana Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Polk Community Pharmac (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.2 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Polk Starlight Sleep Labs (3.3 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Health (4.5 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Medical Center (4.6 miles)
• Radiology Department (4.6 miles)
• Endoscopy Unit (4.7 miles)
• Lakeland Regional Heal (4.7 miles)
• Central Florida Surgi-Center (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Black & Brew Coffee House & Bistro (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Adair PARK (4.4 miles)
• Woodlake Park (4.7 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark USA (5.6 miles)