Extras and surprises

[taylor111947]

I've really enjoyed reading the posts - it's definitely given me a good idea of what living in The Villages is like. I'm leaning towards building and would like some ideas about what 'extras' are commonly added - during constuction and post-construction. What do people wish they had thought about sooner? And, what were people surprised to find out? Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

[k2at]

It has been said a number of times if u r building new to get the bottom of the line everything and then upgrade after ur house is completed. You will get better appliances at better prices. This thought holds true for lanais, swimming pools, granite counter tops etc.

Perhaps someone else would care to comment on this response.

[mulligan]

Just a thought to keep in mind: the pricing of some extras during construction may seem quite high. While this seems to be counter-intuitive, the builder cannot simply add or change things during construction without a fairly complex process. In order to get an inspection, the home must match the APPROVED plans. When a change is made, the plan has to be re-submitted to an engineer/architect, and to the building department. None of this is without cost in $ and time lost during the process.

[skip0358]

Think about what you might need in the way of extra electrical outlets ahead of time.Might sound silly but there's no basement. concrete walls and some parts of the attic you can't get to. We wanted to add an outlet under the kitchen sink for and insta hot. Bad news, think about a floor outlet in the living room, a phone jack on the wall by the TV, an extra outlet in the Lanai on the other wall. These are the hard ones. Attic stairs, front door screens, solar tubes, lanai shades they're the tough ones. Also another area you might want to look at is the Kitchen appliances. With the problems people are having with the GE app. offered you might want to say no thanks and buy a better brand yourself. My GE man spends a lot of time at my house. I'm sure you'll hear other peoples advice.

[BlueHeronFan]

Number one in my book for building would be to make sure to take advantage of any available "bump outs". Well worth the additional cost.

Examples;
Bump out of any Den, making it a 3rd bedroom. Bump out of Lanai (big deal here), and garage, sides etc.

This is where you will get the biggest bang for your buck. There will be lot restrictions, but it will also help you choose the lot that will fit you for what you want.

[skip0358]

Blue Heron is correct. Ask your sales person what options are available. We were told some of the items but not all. Weren't told about bumping the 3rd bedroom & really wish we had been. Although he did tell us about putting a bay window in the room, but were told of the rest which we did. You can also opt. for the rounded corners, higher baseboards, but make sure you ask.

[jaspal]

Very good point. We are building next month. I will reexamine the outlets in the house.

I love to read TOTV. I learn so much. In this case in time before it is to late.

Thanks,
Skip

[NJblue]

Definitely worth asking about such things as additional electrical outlets, but, unless things have changed since we built 2 years ago, the builder does not entertaining any customization down to that level.

Anyone with recent experience on this?

[l2ridehd]

I just put on outlet on the lanai near the roof line for a power awning. It was a bit of a challenge, but doable. Am doing an island in the kitchen and wanted an outlet in the cabinet side. Almost impossible. I still am working it, but am about to give up. Have to pull up the hardwood floor, dig a channel in the concrete, lay a conduit in there, run the wires, cement over it, and reinstall the hardwood floor.

As for bump outs, extend the guest bedroom(s) as wide and long as possible. Add the bay window, and for the garage. You can't make it to big. Make it wider, longer, and create as much space as possible there.

[Mikitv]

We built this year and did the bump out for the extremely small front bedroom and the garage since our lot would not accommodate a golf car garage. We also added onto the lanai. None of those were very expensive to do. They don't let you do a whole lot so most is after market. My laundry room came with sink and cabinet and empty space next too it. Couldn't fit extra fridge in there so I added another cabinet and full counter. We are adding bird cage and had front screened since our front porch is pretty deep. We had the garage floor done by Amy Newsom before we moved in. Also had the grout all sealed by Pat Moor. We replaced the carpet in living room and dining room with wood. So you can see you do a lot of after building is done. One thing we didn't take was the blinds that were standard since we wanted shutters. They did credit me for the blinds.

[jmitchell]

It has been said a number of times if u r building new to get the bottom of the line everything and then upgrade after ur house is completed. You will get better appliances at better prices. This thought holds true for lanais, swimming pools, granite counter tops etc.

Perhaps someone else would care to comment on this response.
We will begin building this fall and I asked our realtor about the appliances -- we wanted to purchase our own. We were told we could not do so or more clearly we would have to have their appliances (except washer/dryer) installed and pay for them, but could of course remove, sell them and replace them with our own choice. Not such a good option since there seems to be a lot of complaints about the GE appliances. I not sure why there are not more options, maybe it's too complicated for the developer. Any one else who has recently built get a different answer re: appliances?

[mulligan]

I've been involved with a bunch of homes and condo's in Florida, and because of pricing, GE pretty much owns the whole state. The only exception I can remember is when we sold a condo to the president of sub-zero.

[taylor111947]

Thanks for so many helpful comments. It makes me wonder if building will be a bigger project than I can handle by myself. I get the feeling that the builder is not very willing to make changes and you are on your own for most of the 'extras'. That makes it difficult to figure out your final cost. I'd hate to get halfway to getting everything I want and realize I've gone over my budget. It's making my head spin.

[jaspal]

I feel the same way that you do. We are about to close on a new build. We added 2 feet to the garage--3 feet to a front bedroom & 4 feet across the whole back of the house (part of this is the lanai). These things can not be added later.
We are building the first "Fern". I took note about adding extra outlets. I'm just not sure where I would add them in this house.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.....

[jaspal]

I'm doing this very thing. I am going with the appliances that they provide at NO extra cost. I plan to keep the fridge for the garage & sell the oven.-micro & dishwasher. I am ahead even if I can't sell them. I will get the appliances I want. My intro to their GE appliances was in the Lifestyle home we stayed in. I did not like them at all.

Any suggestions where to buy the appliances other than online? Has anyone tried the french door fridge & liked it?

[Dan =^..^=]

I'm doing this very thing. I am going with the appliances that they provide at NO extra cost. I plan to keep the fridge for the garage & sell the oven.-micro & dishwasher. I am ahead even if I can't sell them. I will get the appliances I want. My intro to their GE appliances was in the Lifestyle home we stayed in. I did not like them at all.

Any suggestions where to buy the appliances other than online? Has anyone tried the french door fridge & liked it?

jaspal,

We are doing almost the same thing in our new Iris currently being built. We chose the appliance package with the smallest cheapest refrigerator with plans of moving it into the garage and replacing it with the French door style refrigerator. I hadn't thought about also swapping out the microwave and dishwasher but I may have to consider that now also.

FWIW, we looked at French door refrigerators at Lowes this past weekend and they seem to have a decent selection with reasonable prices. I think they were in the middle of a holiday sale however.

[getdul981]

jaspal,

We are doing almost the same thing in our new Iris currently being built. We chose the appliance package with the smallest cheapest refrigerator with plans of moving it into the garage and replacing it with the French door style refrigerator. I hadn't thought about also swapping out the microwave and dishwasher but I may have to consider that now also.

FWIW, we looked at French door refrigerators at Lowes this past weekend and they seem to have a decent selection with reasonable prices. I think they were in the middle of a holiday sale however.

I'll bet you could go into Lowes and tell them that you wanted to buy several appliances and you want them at the price they had last week and they will honor it.

[taylor111947]

If you are looking at french door refridgerators and planning on keeping the original as a second you might want to consider a counter depth model. It definitely holds less food, but you'll have a backup. I did that when I renovated my kitchen (I chose a freezer bottom) and the fridge now blends in with the cabinetry around it rather than sticking out. The extra fridge is useful when I have company, at holidays and to hold my bucket of frozen daquiries.

I'm not sure if all french door refridgerators have the same problem, but I found that it was very easy to not close the doors completely. Luckily mine has an alarm that sounds if a door is left open more than 2 (or maybe 3) minutes.

You are right - Lowe's or Home Depot will usually give you a good deal if you are buying more than one item - try negotiating.

If you don't want the appliances, do you get a credit?

[BobKat1]

It seems like you should be able to get a credit from the builder for unwanted/uneeded appliances.

I could be wrong though - Frequently am.

[getdul981]

I wholeheartedly agree that you should be able to buy whatever appliances you want and not have to just settle at first and then do an upgrade after you buy. They've been doing this for so long that there's probably no use in trying to rock the boat at this point. As I have said many times before, "It's their ball game and if you want to play, you have to play by their rules and use their ball".

[laryb]

If you are looking at french door refridgerators and planning on keeping the original as a second you might want to consider a counter depth model. It definitely holds less food, but you'll have a backup. I did that when I renovated my kitchen (I chose a freezer bottom) and the fridge now blends in with the cabinetry around it rather than sticking out. The extra fridge is useful when I have company, at holidays and to hold my bucket of frozen daquiries.

I'm not sure if all french door refridgerators have the same problem, but I found that it was very easy to not close the doors completely. Luckily mine has an alarm that sounds if a door is left open more than 2 (or maybe 3) minutes.

You are right - Lowe's or Home Depot will usually give you a good deal if you are buying more than one item - try negotiating.

If you don't want the appliances, do you get a credit?We have a french door ref. with bottom freezer up north and I hate it. Like yours, the doors don't always close and I don't like having to dig through frozen food to get to the bottom. With that being said, they do look great and we don't like the top freezer that came with our new build, so my wife will tell me she wants another french door/ bottom freezer (yes, dear), and we'll put the original in the laundry room. Don't know how anyone feels about Appliance Direct, but we got a good deal on a front loading steam washer and dryer from them and had them stacked to make room for the refrigerator when we come down full time. The salesman at Lowes said that they were the only store they wouldn't match because their prices were so low and that he couldn't understand how they did it. Home depot wouldn't match them either. Like I said, don't know if people on TOTV like them, but they gave me what they promised and when they promised it. Might be worth the short trip.:thumbup:

[Dan =^..^=]

We have a french door ref. with bottom freezer up north and I hate it. Like yours, the doors don't always close and I don't like having to dig through frozen food to get to the bottom. With that being said, they do look great and we don't like the top freezer that came with our new build, so my wife will tell me she wants another french door/ bottom freezer (yes, dear), and we'll put the original in the laundry room. Don't know how anyone feels about Appliance Direct, but we got a good deal on a front loading steam washer and dryer from them and had them stacked to make room for the refrigerator when we come down full time. The salesman at Lowes said that they were the only store they wouldn't match because their prices were so low and that he couldn't understand how they did it. Home depot wouldn't match them either. Like I said, don't know if people on TOTV like them, but they gave me what they promised and when they promised it. Might be worth the short trip.:thumbup:

Thanks for the info on Appliance Direct (http://www.appliancedirect.com/). I will check them out once we're settled in. I guess the closest store to Buttonwood would be in Fruitland Park.

[ssmith]

We have had one for 3 years- up north- and I LOVE it. My husband has arthritis and it was so hard for him to dig in the fridge for things he wanted in the old fridge with freezer on top. He would have to get down on a knee to get fruit and veggies out of drawer and then moan and groan to get back up. I certainly don't want to put any obstacles in his way to getting those healthy foods!!! :icon_wink:. We get in and use the fridge so much more than the freezer and so I think it makes so much more sense for it to be waist up and the fridge at eye level to find all those leftovers etc so very easy. Also I find the bottom freezer very handy Yep, I've had trouble with leaving a door open and yep mine beeps at me...but overall I find it great.

[laryb]

We have had one for 3 years- up north- and I LOVE it. My husband has arthritis and it was so hard for him to dig in the fridge for things he wanted in the old fridge with freezer on top. He would have to get down on a knee to get fruit and veggies out of drawer and then moan and groan to get back up. I certainly don't want to put any obstacles in his way to getting those healthy foods!!! :icon_wink:. We get in and use the fridge so much more than the freezer and so I think it makes so much more sense for it to be waist up and the fridge at eye level to find all those leftovers etc so very easy. Also I find the bottom freezer very handy Yep, I've had trouble with leaving a door open and yep mine beeps at me...but overall I find it great.

See what I mean? That's why my wife's in charge!:confused:

[mrdills]

As I mention in a earlier post I bought mine at Appliance Direct and I was pleased with delivery and set up, you owe it to yourself to check them out.

[jaspal]

NO credit back..

[jaspal]

Where is Appliance Direct?

[jaspal]

I agree with you. I love the look of the french doors (my husband is not sold YET). I use the fridge 80% of the time. We do not freeze very many items.

[laryb]

Where is Appliance Direct?

It's on 441/27. If you take 466A to 441/27 and then take a right, it's about a 1/2 mile on your left. Didn't think to ask about credit back, so I don't have an answer for that. And I do agree with you and my wife as to the looks of the french doors, but I guess I'm just use to a side by side. I think there would be less bending over in one of those. but like I said, it's not my decision!:a20:

[billethkid]

do the floors after we move in all one has to do is specify the cheapest linoleum available...then get a credit for the carpet and tile.

The after market contractors and tile suppliers have a much, MUCH better selection and charge less....TV "adder" for labor and materials is a big number for a whole house.

Ditto for counter tops....spec the cheapest TV offers and then after closing go get the good stuff and save $$$.

Another tip is to specify putting both gas and electric for your kitchen range and laundry room. Then one has the option of putting in which ever they choose when ready.

btk

[CTgolfer]

I'm doing this very thing. I am going with the appliances that they provide at NO extra cost. I plan to keep the fridge for the garage & sell the oven.-micro & dishwasher. I am ahead even if I can't sell them. I will get the appliances I want. My intro to their GE appliances was in the Lifestyle home we stayed in. I did not like them at all.

Any suggestions where to buy the appliances other than online? Has anyone tried the french door fridge & liked it?

I understood from friends who built a house that they contacted the appliance contractor the Villages uses and made private arrangements with him to make the switch from the Villages appliance package to an upgrade, and paid the contractor directly.

[taylor111947]

I think what I'm hearing is that kitchen 'upgrades' are limited or not avaliable and it might be better to select standard issue appliances, counter tops and flooring with the idea of upgrading post-construction. What about the cabinets? How is the quality? It's a shame to have to add that much time and expense to a brand new home.

Does TV offer any kind of design services to help in deciding colors etc.? I'm really challenged when it comes to that kind of thing - even though I'm addicted to HGTV.

[askcarl]

I just went through the purchase process. My experience with the Gardenia model.

To get a real feel for the cost of major items when working the contract, load the house with everything and get a print out. Then have the agent take out major items one at a time and write those numbers down the side of the print out, stating what item went negative and the price.

Have agent add bumps (expansions), if desired.

Sit down and decide what really makes sense to compromise.

dropped everthing except the kitchen cabinets, added every bump out.

three guiding thoughts.

1. Interior items can be added later. House footprint is very expensive to change.

2. Every $ reduced on the purchase price reduces Property Taxes paid forever.

3. Every item dropped can be added back with improvement in quality and selection. The after market for these items is endless. And that marketplace is hungry. (times are tough everywhere)

Was told the house had to have appliances to receive an occupancy certification from the County Inspector. sounds reasonable enough.

Also met with major resistance to move or add electrical outlets. In the end, gave up.

It is rumored that a full copy of the house plans are in the white plastic lot marker post located near the street.

Best of Luck to everyone creating their own Paradise.

[jebartle]

taylor, one thing not mentioned but I'm sure you are aware of the BOND, that is always a lovely little surprise if you are building in Sumter or Marion County...Ugh!

[notsoonenough]

We bought a Samsung french door w/ bottom freezer and love it. The doors close great. lots and lots of room. We got it online from
http://www.number1direct.com/
It was almost $500 less than Sears, Best Buy or Lowes.
What was even better is that there was zero tax and free shipping to your door.
Look them up, it was well worth it and it got to our door in 4 days!
EB