[nancy03743]

We bought a site in Fernandina to build an Iris. How do we prepare for the Design Team appointment? Can someone tell us what it was like for them?

Thank you,
Nancy

[YouNeverKnow]

Originally Posted by nancy03743

We bought a site in Fernandina to build an Iris. How do we prepare for the Design Team appointment? Can someone tell us what it was like for them?

Thank you,
Nancy

Hi Nancy, we also bought in Fernandina but won't have our design meeting until July. We are in section 206, lot #20. Where is your lot? Good luck with your design and building process.

[CalcTeacher]

You should definitely search this site for "design appointment"...there's a wealth of information. Biggest things to consider are any stretches or bumps you might want to do. According to all the wise souls on this forum, no one has ever regretted increasing their outdoor space (via the lanai) or their garage space (storage is at a premium). Only your lot will dictate what you can or cannot do.

Next is all the cosmetic things: level of cabinets, granite versus quartz versus corian versus laminate countertops, flooring choices, etc. etc.

Again, your best bet is to search on this forum for anything related to design appointment! Good luck designing the house of your dreams!

[Count'n the days]

Congratulations. We are also building an Iris in Fernandina. We're on Greywood Ln and we close on 11/12.

We started by going several days early to check out the open houses and get ideas. We had the major things already selected when we met with our designer. With her we worked out the details and made selections based on what would fit in our budget. One of our most difficult decisions was the house color. Because there weren't many houses already built close by, we were able to choose from all the colors available.

I found the process to be more stressful than I anticipated. Everything went smoothly and our designer was very efficient and patient. I wish she had given us more guidance with our choices, but I think that may have been construed as pressuring us - which there was none from TV - only what we placed on ourselves to get what we wanted while staying within our budget.

I think most meetings are over a 3 day period (portions of each day). It helped to be able to meet and get away from it to digest things. She would pull the numbers together then we would know where we stood when we started the next day.

Our final choices were not always what we thought we wanted in the start. This included the model and lot. We're really happy with our choices and are excited to see the final product.

Best of of luck to you.

[nancy03743]

All your information was most helpful. Did not realize that it would involve 3 days for shorter periods of time so thank you. We too will be trying to stay within our budget & this will probably be difficult. We have 1280 Allaire Loop in Fernandina. We were told our home would be finished by end of March 2013. We will be wintering in Cocoa Beach and traveling back and forth to watch the build. Thanks very much for your help. Nancy & Richard

[nancy03743]

Originally Posted by Michiganders

Hi Nancy, we also bought in Fernandina but won't have our design meeting until July. We are in section 206, lot #20. Where is your lot? Good luck with your design and building process.

Our design meeting is in January. We are section 205,155 at 1280 Allaire Loop Fernandina. Good luck to you as well! Nancy & Richard

[nancy03743]

Originally Posted by CalcTeacher

You should definitely search this site for "design appointment"...there's a wealth of information. Biggest things to consider are any stretches or bumps you might want to do. According to all the wise souls on this forum, no one has ever regretted increasing their outdoor space (via the lanai) or their garage space (storage is at a premium). Only your lot will dictate what you can or cannot do.

Next is all the cosmetic things: level of cabinets, granite versus quartz versus corian versus laminate countertops, flooring choices, etc. etc.

Again, your best bet is to search on this forum for anything related to design appointment! Good luck designing the house of your dreams!

You are not going to believe this but I did not think to do a search on "design team appointment". Thank you for your information. Nancy & Richard

[WVMtnBoy]

Hi Nancy! The best advice I can give you is to have a firm idea of what, if any, additions you want to make to your house. My wife and I went through the process in early July and are moving into our home as we speak. If you want more room the bump outs are fairly inexpensive (about $1500 per 2') but well worth it, especially on the lanai and bedrooms. I would definitely recommend a golf car garage for extra space and storage if your model doesn't have it included. The standard interior colors are white and hayseed and other colors will cost additional. Look carefully at the models to get an understanding of the cabinets, flooring, lighting packages, etc. Also drive around and look at exterior colors because the same color can't be within 2-3 houses of each other. Check out door styles and colors and exterior lighting packages. We found the process to be extremely painless and actually enjoyable. Don't get stressed and have a good time with your designer. They're there to help...really!!!!

[A-4 Skyhawk]

Originally Posted by nancy03743

Our design meeting is in January. We are section 205,155 at 1280 Allaire Loop Fernandina. Good luck to you as well! Nancy & Richard

Have you been introduced to kgentile1010 who is on your street 205-126??

[jimbo2012]

take the floor plan make a bunch of copies and draw different variations of changes you may like, we redid the master bath over a dozen times, then going back to models comparing our ideas and finally after a few days we nailed it down with the best use of the space with a 2' bump of one bedroom.

then moved the hvac and redid the laundry room, then only to find the designers did almost the same change in the new December models, and they did it better than I.

Drove around looking at exterior colors and landscaping on and off all this past week.

Now working on a spa plan on the lanai, but not done with that idea yet.

Need to get done in 60 days.

Make a list of must haves
like to haves etc.

[shalomuall]

Welcome. We closed on our Iris in Fernandina 206-7 Aug 30th. We love it. Wish we could spend more time there. It was a great process and we are very happy with the end result. Good luck!

[nancy03743]

Originally Posted by A-4 Skyhawk

Have you been introduced to kgentile1010 who is on your street 205-126??

No not yet...my husband Richard will love your screen name. He is a private pilot and his favorite plane is F14 Tomcat.

[nancy03743]

Originally Posted by WVMtnBoy

Hi Nancy! The best advice I can give you is to have a firm idea of what, if any, additions you want to make to your house. My wife and I went through the process in early July and are moving into our home as we speak. If you want more room the bump outs are fairly inexpensive (about $1500 per 2') but well worth it, especially on the lanai and bedrooms. I would definitely recommend a golf car garage for extra space and storage if your model doesn't have it included. The standard interior colors are white and hayseed and other colors will cost additional. Look carefully at the models to get an understanding of the cabinets, flooring, lighting packages, etc. Also drive around and look at exterior colors because the same color can't be within 2-3 houses of each other. Check out door styles and colors and exterior lighting packages. We found the process to be extremely painless and actually enjoyable. Don't get stressed and have a good time with your designer. They're there to help...really!!!!

Thank you so very much for this helpful information. Did not realize about the color of the houses being close to each other. We have added your information to our list of things to take into consideration. It is so great to find out from people like you who have already experienced. We appreciate your willingness to share. Nancy & Richard

[nancy03743]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

take the floor plan make a bunch of copies and draw different variations of changes you may like, we redid the master bath over a dozen times, then going back to models comparing our ideas and finally after a few days we nailed it down with the best use of the space with a 2' bump of one bedroom.

then moved the hvac and redid the laundry room, then only to find the designers did almost the same change in the new December models, and they did it better than I.

Drove around looking at exterior colors and landscaping on and off all this past week.

Now working on a spa plan on the lanai, but not done with that idea yet.

Need to get done in 60 days.

Make a list of must haves
like to haves etc.

I like your idea of driving around looking at exterior colors, landscaping and making lists of "must haves" and "like to have." Thank you so much! Nancy & Richard

[hotrodgirl]

The process was both informative and painless! Mine took 3 very full days, but was split to 4, with two 1/2 days off. I used that time to go over choices, make notes, drive neighborhoods... Think of all the ways you wish to improve your property. Any stretches or bumps should take first priority. Any interior structural changes next. Make a list or spreadsheet of your wants and needs and prioritize that. The designer will walk you through many homes so that you can see flooring, fixtures, lighting, doors, hardware, cabinets, colors, etc. This is so helpful as you get to see the entire picture and not just a small sample. Make a list of questions you may have. We sat down at a big table and went completely through my list (it was a 2 page spreadsheet) while my designer made copious notes. Basically nothing was left unanswered and I felt it to be thorough and unrushed. Also ask for suggestions as they have been doing this quite a while and are there to listen and help you through the process! I did not find it stressful, and in retrospect I may have missed one or two things, but these are easily taken care of aftermarket. Best of luck to you and don't stress!