Design Meeting
 

For anyone who has been to a design meeting, does the Villages design team provide a list of items that can be changed from the standard features?

Is there any way to prepare for the design meeting? Do all the decisions have to be made at the design meeting or can we leave the meeting and get back to the design team with decisions at a later date?

Make sure you get more than one towel rack in the bathrooms..

yes they have a standard "estimate list", but you can request a lot more.

You need to finalize at the meeting but it may be more than one day, at the conclusion you put down 20%, and you're in build mode.

Just starting my meeting tomorrow. But I will be final before I leave TV. I believe you cannot make changes after your 20% down and the contracts are signed. I have made a spreadsheet of my priorities. Everything I want, and those things I can remove... Also remember that any upgrades you do now will be included in your property tax base!

You can make changes after you sign and put he 20% down but each time you make changes, it comes with a $250 change fee. That means if you change one thing or ten things, if you do them all at the same time, it is $250...unless that went up too :)

We were also told that there would be a $250 charge for changes. We went several days early and made lots of decisions by going to open houses in advance. Our sales rep also took us through all the models on Journey to help us get a feel for the selections available and our preferences. We met with our designer the first time in an Iris model (our model choice) and discussed all the things we thought we wanted. She then took us room to room pointing out what was standard and we discussed changes, additions, etc. On the second day she had a cost estimate for us. This let us know where we stood with our budget and we were pleasantly pleased that we could include several upgrades and stay within our budget. We were able to get an upgraded granite that we loved as well as get both the walk-in shower and garden tub in the master bath.

Their system doesn't make it easy for them to give you prices for changes and upgrades, but as we made changes she would run it again and let us know where we stood. We opted out of the dishwasher and refrigerator and have already gone to Sears and ordered them for delivery as soon as we close.

We are extremely anxious to see the final product, but have lots to keep us busy until then.

Probably told you more than you needed to know, but I know how it was for me before our meeting. Hope this info helps. Good Luck!

Oh you didn't say too much at all! I savored every word you said. We are also building an Iris. May I ask what changes you made?

We are putting our house on the Mkt in a couple of days. Only after it sells can we make our design reservation.

Thanks again for your input.

Sent you a PM.

I have my design meeting is Sept 22 would like What to do before our meeting
Thanks for the help

QUOTE=poromo;551819]For anyone who has been to a design meeting, does the Villages design team provide a list of items that can be changed from the standard features?

Is there any way to prepare for the design meeting? Do all the decisions have to be made at the design meeting or can we leave the meeting and get back to the design team with decisions at a later date?[/QUOTE]

Hi, We are also building an Iris and have an appointment Sept. 26th. Curios on what changes you made also. Thanks in advance

Since you have selected your model I would start to think about where you will place your furniture. Pay attention to the lights. Maybe you will need a floor outlet or and extra outlet on the wall. Next think about how you will do your daily chores. Where will you fold clothes, iron, read, watch TV etc. and if you need any modifications. Go to the model homes and close the bathroom and bedroom doors. Is the light OK in the day or do you what to add a window or skylight. What window treatments are you going to do? How are you going to clean the home - carpet or tile, counter tops etc. Where are you going to part your electric golf card and is there an outlet there? Will you have one or two cars and which car will be in the drive way or which side of the garage. Don't forget storage space and also insulation. Walk around your current home and see what you might want to change. Make up a list of all of your questions and changes, probably by room. Now you are ready to have the designer show you the standard options and will have probably though enough about the house you will be able to make good decisions on the spot.

Insulation
 

You mentioned "Insulation". Are their choices / options on insulation like sprayed, spray & bat, bat, or blown in with different R values ???
Thanks

Today was the first day of my design meeting. It went very well, and my designer was very helpful in making some suggestions and going through each point on my spreadsheet. We accomplished a lot! If you are building a designer, I feel there are ample electrical outlets in each of the rooms. A floor outlet is standard, and there is cable for each major room (bedrooms,living area, lanai, kitchen). Also phone jacks. Two fans included on the lanai for the Lantana. Lighting fixtures for the dining area, nook and foyer. I elected to extend and bump and stretch as much as possible now while in build mode. I chose my granite from the granite yard, picked interior and exterior colors, tile, wood, etc. Your design agent will go over with you what is base and what is extra. There were many inclusions that I was not expecting as well. I did add more outlets to the bathrooms and laundry room. I also added a wing wall to the front entry.
A-4: the insulation is bat R-30. And there are hurricane straps for the roof. Also a combo of 2X4 and 2x6 studs, both wood and steel. Guess that's it for now!

Where In Sanibel are you building ?

:bowdown: