[kendi]

If you are like a lot of people who move here you may decide to move again within a year or two. Take it slow and don’t waste money on a lot of upgrades until you know for sure you need/want them. And don’t try to “keep up with the Jones.” That’s just a waste of money that could be used instead as a donation to help others or investment for the future.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by nhkim

I applaud you for doing everything upfront (assuming money isn't an issue). When we built our retirement home up north 11 years ago, we did everything when we built it, feeling that we didn't want to be doing remodeling projects once we were retired. That proved to be the correct choice for us.

Previous responses have given you a pretty complete list as far as I can tell. I have just a few comments.

1. Although I'd like to have combination fans here, the fan is on one switch (with a pull chain on the fan as well). So without having separate switches, it's cumbersome when you want the light off and the fan on, etc. Having recessed lighting installed in all the areas where there aren't already cans would be the ideal solution, I think.

2. Painting your driveway. You definitely want to do this, including all areas of concrete: driveway, lanai, any added concrete, sidewalks along the side of the house. You're building a veranda; you should have that feature as well. Painted concrete is so much easier to clean than plain concrete; you'll notice that on your lanai.

3. We have a Nova filter here. Some people have full water softener systems; some have nothing. That's a personal preference. However, what your sales rep told you about softeners creating clear ice cubes is not right. A quick Google search will tell you that there's a lot of factors that go into getting clear ice cubes, and a water softener may or may not influence that.

4. Get rid of all the carpeting right away. Builders grade does not hold up over the long term, plus it's pretty much out of style. Do the flooring of your choice all over the house, then replace the baseboard and paint.

Enjoy your new home, once you get it exactly the way you want it!

Verandas aren’t custom builds. They’re spec homes with fenced yards, and they don’t have sidewalks along the sides. Only Courtyard Villas have a sidewalk on the side of the house leading to the gate.

[Langrell]

Originally Posted by idlewild

We are moving to TV soon and have purchased a brand new home (Veranda-Monroe).

From my research, there are a number of things most homeowners will want/need completed in their first year there which I've listed below in order of priority for us.

REQUEST: Can you please review this list and let me know if there's anything we are missing? We would like to line this up before we move down/in. Thank you!

OUR PRIORITIZED LIST

1. 1. Replace Carpeting (3BR) with LVP
2. 2. Epoxy Garage Floor
3. 3. Install Whole House Water Softener, Kitchen Reverse Osmosis (Culligan?)
4. 4. Purchase/Connect Washer/Dryer and Gas Range (List TV Install for Resale)
5. 5. Improve Insulation, Whole House (including Garage and Lanai)
6. 6. Install Whole House Gutters
7. 7. Install Garage Attic Stairs
8. 8. Build Pantry (in Kitchen Nook, Monroe Model)
9. 9. Touchups (Backsplash, Painting, Lighting, Ceiling Fans

P.S.
This isn't a post to recommend certain contractors - and I'll search on that myself rather than duplicating a number of other threads I'm sure - but I'll happily take and recommendations for any of these by DM/PM. And I was going to post this in the Home Improvement "forum," but that appears to be just a list of rated contractors/advertisements and not posts.

Perhaps consider all season lanai enclosure
garage shelving
garage door insulation
research lawn care
hide wires for wall mount tv
lighting improvements
front door screen enclosure
if older home outdoor tankless water heater flush
ceiling solar tubes for lighting
garage door screening (mechanical)

[jimjamuser]

Plant trees to block the sun and get their evaporation cooling effect. Put stone or low growing plants in a circle a LARGE circle around the trees. Widen your driveway as much as allowed. Both of these strategies give you less grass to mow and fertilize. If it were me, I would get a small riding lawnmower or a push electric one to cut my own grass. If my neighbors were LOUD, I would soundproof a TV room so that I could avoid their noise. I would also plant fast growing plants like podocarpus on my sides or back to block noise and also put stones or low growing plants to cut down further on the area to be mowed. The grass in Florida are all ugly and not as soft as northern grass AND besides mowing they require a lot of expensive watering.

[thekatman]

I recommend contacting your monthly pest control vendor and have them open all of the electrical outlets and spray inside the walls and the electrical outlets to seal off the outside world from the inside of your home. This will greatly reduce the exposure to bugs, spiders, and other critters.

2nd: Have them spray for the destructive wood beetles inside your attic.

[Carlsondm]

We agree with Nova or similar for water treatment. Much more reasonable than many companies and totally adequate for most people. I worked as a water engineer for 38 years and enjoyed the sales talks from the pricey firms. Way over priced and over treated. Get several bids for initial and operating costs. We also use sediment filters on irrigation.

[almondz]

OMG - a new home and you have to do all that - plus more recommendations? So so glad we didn't buy new!

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by Normal

Beer fridge for the lanai. It may be the most important improvement in the home and would be used after each of the other jobs listed.

This is has just become my top priority item.

Also, my ONLY priority item.

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by almondz

OMG - a new home and you have to do all that - plus more recommendations? So so glad we didn't buy new!

Yes, I agree it's a lot (too much?) but we were able to pick the model, lot, and location which and thankfully TV doesn't mark them up too much - especially with the bond. So while there are a number of items I would consider basic, a brand new veranda, with a decent yard with room for a pool, no back neighbors, on a corner lot walking distance from Eastport for less than $500K isn't too bad.

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by Carlsondm

We agree with Nova or similar for water treatment. Much more reasonable than many companies and totally adequate for most people. I worked as a water engineer for 38 years and enjoyed the sales talks from the pricey firms. Way over priced and over treated. Get several bids for initial and operating costs. We also use sediment filters on irrigation.

Thanks! Would love to pick your brain some more about the difference between water filtration options (levels of filtration vs. softener, irrigation line options, RO kitchen-only, etc.). Mind if I DM you after searching/researching this forum and other places?

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by thekatman

I recommend contacting your monthly pest control vendor and have them open all of the electrical outlets and spray inside the walls and the electrical outlets to seal off the outside world from the inside of your home. This will greatly reduce the exposure to bugs, spiders, and other critters.

2nd: Have them spray for the destructive wood beetles inside your attic.

Super helpful - will do. Thank you!

[idlewild]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Plant trees to block the sun and get their evaporation cooling effect. Put stone or low growing plants in a circle a LARGE circle around the trees. Widen your driveway as much as allowed. Both of these strategies give you less grass to mow and fertilize. If it were me, I would get a small riding lawnmower or a push electric one to cut my own grass. If my neighbors were LOUD, I would soundproof a TV room so that I could avoid their noise. I would also plant fast growing plants like podocarpus on my sides or back to block noise and also put stones or low growing plants to cut down further on the area to be mowed. The grass in Florida are all ugly and not as soft as northern grass AND besides mowing they require a lot of expensive watering.

Thanks! I'm a big into gardening and while I'm excited for the exotics afforded the climate, I must admit I'm going to miss "real" grass - our dogs will too! I will research as I believe there are a couple types of grass that will hold up to the heat, but nothing like bluegrass or anything remotely close - correct?

[Bwanajim]

Replace the ceiling fans with ones that have lights and are nicer

[Dan T]

Originally Posted by biggamefish1

Window blinds, upgrade landscaping, paint driveway, complete interior paint with enamel at wet areas and washable flat wall, garage storage cabs and shelving, solar attic fan, and solar light tubes as needed, plywood attic area for storage, replace bug screen on the lanai with solar screen, front door storm door with pull down screen, roll down solar screens on all west facing windows, pour or pave a rear patio for grilling and entertaining, and more. Bring your checkbook, lol. Enjoy!!

Where do you get color screen to replace your bug screen?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

not sure of how easy it is in a Veranda spec house:
Ethernet hard wired outlet to the lanai for TV, one for any working office area if you use a computer, one for living room TV location
Lanai outdoor living set up, whatever's possible.

No hanging lights, ugh, all can lights in kitchen, dining, living rooms.
Solar tube in kitchen (big one), bathrooms (small) laundry area (small)
gas line outlet outside for gas grille hookup
larger bathroom exhaust fans

tiled wall under any kitchen counter overhang to prevent shoe marks from sitting on chairs.