[dmorhome]

build your dream home to villages spec,s not how we do it back north,good luck.

[bdabob]

Just a follow up seeing that I started this thread. Our DT meeting was last weekend and it went as well as I expected. We were rushed in some areas and given ample time to consider in others.
Our designer was superb. We told her from the start that we invite her to make comments regarding our selections; challenge us to ensure we have thought this through. She gave us lots of ideas (have you thought about this or that) and besides being technically knowledgable about building, she was excellent with colors and textures. She really did listen to our wishes & wants and retained that theme throughout.
She did agree that the "system" was flawed when it doesn't provide the buyer with a punchlist of even ballpark figures to consider.
We are pleased with the outcome of the design but would have liked a smoother run up to the DT meetings.
Closing date is mid Sept. so we are now in another phase of planning and organizing.
Many thanks to everyone that chimed in. I would be happy to share our experiences if you wish to PM.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Glad to hear it worked out pretty well for you, bdabob....all things considered. Sound like you did your homework up front!

Bill

[tucson]

Originally Posted by bdabob

AAAAAArgh!!
Our Design Team meeting is scheduled for mid June. We have been trying for several months to get vital information about our various options, including pricing, so that we are fully prepared; the last thing we want is to be rushed into major design issues, we want to be ahead of the game.
Our sales rep has been outstanding and has genuinely tried to assist us. Unfortunately, we have continuely been told there can be no direct communication between us, the buyers, and the Design Team, the people with all the pertinent info, prior to our June meeting.
We have dozens of questions that could easily be dealt with in advance. For example, we want a counter depth fridge. We have asked if that's an option. If not, we will then proceed with an outside vendor for our appliances. We can't get an answer in advance to this simple question.
We have asked what the upgrade price is for granite counter tops; wait until June.
We have asked about pool/spa/paver pricing; wait until June.
This is very frustrating and sadly this method of sales makes no sense to us whatsoever.

My advice; Go with NO upgrades and AFTER you close and move in, do them yourselves or find the local hanymen/contractors to do all the upgrades. You'll SAVE ALOT of money !!!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Some upgrades, particularly things that might impact structure or infrastructure (plumbing, wiring, etc.) might be easiest to do when the house is built. Might even wind up being less expensive as well.

Bill

[Bavarian]

Seems like normal. I have tried to talk to Design team or someone in between for almost a year. Important questions like wiring house for telephone, antenna, audio. What can we change, what not. Told we have to wait. If we could get some early info, we could start making decisions at home and have a list already done of the easy stuff and worry about the hard stuff when we go down. I found this website after being sold a lot via telephone, have not seen it.

Learning more here than anywhere else. Some bad to the point that I wonder if we should walk away. But, my wife likes the activities. I am more individual. Like Golf carts and no State Income Tax.

[tucson]

I've lived here 7yrs, you should ck out other places near TV as well. There's activities everywhere, not just in TV. I would rather be near the beaches personally.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by tucson

I've lived here 7yrs, you should ck out other places near TV as well. There's activities everywhere, not just in TV. I would rather be near the beaches personally.

Houses are very easy to sell here. If you find someplace better that you like.

I haven't found anything better than here. EVER.

[cgalloway6]

Our design team meeting is Oct 1. Did anyone ever report the credit available if you deleted the appliances(except the microwave required for the OP)? Since they don't break out options it might have been hard to determine how much you got. Like everyone else we'd like to have some list of options and approximate pricing. Walking through the models it is hard to tell what is an option and what isn't and if it is, how much. Oh well, guess in 87 days it will all be clear. Or not. It is a long time to speculate.

[jimbo2012]

These costs are a closely guarded secret by all, after your meeting you must give a drop of blood swearing not to reveal to others what the individual costs are.

If your sales rep isn't telling you, he/she is too lazy, I found costs on most options.

Appliances R -1500-2000

All they do is email the design team.

[slmwest]

We are in the early stage of design but still have a few months before we have to decide. The lack of information on the cost of options is a concern for me because we are about 80% sure we want to build a Cottage Home (Hammock) but after I add in a few (and only a few) options we are in the price range of a designer home where the same options are standard. Is that a problem for anyone else? How did you deal with it.

[jimbo2012]

First R U sure U can build one?

They stopped unless you have a commitment??

We were going to build a Sun Kist, with extras that were std in Bourgainville it was not looking as such a good buy, the gap closes real quick.

I think the resale will be better on a designer than a cottage, but both are great.

We at the moment are torn now between the bougainvilla and the Allamanda, it fells like we're up-selling ourselves.

Because now extras in the bouganivilla are std in the Allamanda, crazy......

There is a 10K difference but it is poured concrete v frame if that matters and it has a built in Florida room.

I think if it's within your budget, go for the designer, I'm sure others will chime in here.....I'm all ears.


.

Originally Posted by slmwest

The lack of information on the cost of options is a concern for me because we are about 80% sure we want to build a Cottage Home (Hammock) but after I add in a few (and only a few) options we are in the price range of a designer home where the same options are standard. Is that a problem for anyone else? How did you deal with it.

I refused to accept that story, I received the costs, your rep just emails the design team, answer in < 24 hours

[hotrodgirl]

Quote:
Originally Posted by slmwest
The lack of information on the cost of options is a concern for me because we are about 80% sure we want to build a Cottage Home (Hammock) but after I add in a few (and only a few) options we are in the price range of a designer home where the same options are standard. Is that a problem for anyone else? How did you deal with it.

I refused to accept that story, I received the costs, your rep just emails the design team, answer in < 24 hours

I concur! Whenever I have asked my sales rep something regarding cost that I thought I may like to add to my build, she generally has gotten back to me within 24 hrs. Once or twice I got an "approximate" dependent upon how the builder may decide to proceed... Understand that it can be difficult to give every cost as between now and your build time, a company may change, a building/supply cost may differ, a manufacturer may change. But within reason, your rep should be able to help you with this.