Extras and surprises
 

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.

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.

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.

Extras
 

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.

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.

Your right
 

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.

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

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?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.....

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?