[Roaddog53]

Don't shoot the messenger here that is negative sounding, but just a word of advice. Be sure to read your home specifications line item listing that comes with each new home. This applies anywhere in the country. All homes come with a detailed line item spec of how it is to be built. Such as colors, appliances, counters, paint, flooring, plumbing, door type. You can ask for it on a home you are considering to see the details. This includes replication homes or spec homes. I am NOT talking about the deed restrictions. It is a 10-15 page (depending on home, options,etc) that the builder uses to build the home, and for your review what is included with your home. I am sure most of you do this, but read each line carefully, even if it looks trivial and check it off by looking. We had found errors not as specified in the last home we reviewed and current home. One of them was pretty major.

[N44125]

Just curious...what would be a 'major' error. Again, just curious.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Roaddog53

Don't shoot the messenger here that is negative sounding, but just a word of advice. Be sure to read your home specifications line item listing that comes with each new home. This applies anywhere in the country. All homes come with a detailed line item spec of how it is to be built. Such as colors, appliances, counters, paint, flooring, plumbing, door type. You can ask for it on a home you are considering to see the details. This includes replication homes or spec homes. I am NOT talking about the deed restrictions. It is a 10-15 page (depending on home, options,etc) that the builder uses to build the home, and for your review what is included with your home. I am sure most of you do this, but read each line carefully, even if it looks trivial and check it off by looking. We had found errors not as specified in the last home we reviewed and current home. One of them was pretty major.

I too, want to know the major error. It should be brought to the attention of the government home inspector, to see if it is to local code. Codes differ geographically.

[Roaddog53]

The lanai was specified with a 15 x 42 area, and it was built to a 14 X 42 area as measured by tape measure. Now by the time you add up the additional truss size, shingles, wood roofing, 1 ft screen and fascia, concrete, rerod, floor painted acrylic, it would have been a $1000 plus mistake. I am NOT. Saying it was intentional, deliberate, or whatever. Mistakes happen anywhere in the country. But I am surprised it was not caught in inspection.Now before anyone says maybe it is the way they measure for landis.. Our current home specified an extension and it IS what was measured.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Roaddog53

The lanai was specified with a 15 x 42 area, and it was built to a 14 X 42 area as measured by tape measure. Now by the time you add up the additional truss size, shingles, wood roofing, 1 ft screen and fascia, concrete, rerod, floor painted acrylic, it would have been a $1000 plus mistake. I am NOT. Saying it was intentional, deliberate, or whatever. Mistakes happen anywhere in the country. But I am surprised it was not caught in inspection.Now before anyone says maybe it is the way they measure for landis.. Our current home specified an extension and it IS what was measured.

Roaddog: you offer sage advice . The problem is you will never know if it was an honest mistake or a calculated move. As to county inspectors there are many jurisdictions where there is too cozy a relationship and I am not necessarily intimating anything illegal but too trusting believing that builders would abide the honor system.

[Bogie Shooter]

Guess that would be a good thing!

[Retiring]

Originally Posted by Roaddog53

The lanai was specified with a 15 x 42 area, and it was built to a 14 X 42 area as measured by tape measure. Now by the time you add up the additional truss size, shingles, wood roofing, 1 ft screen and fascia, concrete, rerod, floor painted acrylic, it would have been a $1000 plus mistake. I am NOT. Saying it was intentional, deliberate, or whatever. Mistakes happen anywhere in the country. But I am surprised it was not caught in inspection.Now before anyone says maybe it is the way they measure for landis.. Our current home specified an extension and it IS what was measured.

The last house I had built I asked the GC for a copy of the plans, he refused. I couldn�t believe it, how can you say no to the guy paying you??? After a long discussion, that almost got heated, he told me the reason he doesn�t give owners blue prints.

Plans have dimensions that are often to a fraction of an inch. He�s had homeowners walk through a new home with a tape measure, if a room is half inch less than depicted- there are complaints.

After I gave him my word that I would not do that, he relented and gave me a set. I�ve never looked at those plan, they�re just sitting in a closet. But I can reference them if ever needed.

I could have gone to the city and get a copy of what they have but there are always changes. A copy of what is used in the construction trailer is always the latest.

As for being a foot off with your lanai. Like others have said, could have been intentional, could have been an error. My guess, it was an error they chose to not correct. In the end, it�s always about $$$.

I�m on a plane now, headed down to TV for my first visit. I�ve been reading the latest TV book by Ryan Erisman. If I were to end up in TV I was truly hoping for new construction but is sounds like new construction would put me quite far from civilization. I�ll know more over the next few days.

If I do build I can assure you I will make every effort to attain a copy of the blue prints. I�m sure I�ll hear �that�s impossible� many times but sometimes a donation to the supers favorite charity is all it takes.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Roaddog53

The lanai was specified with a 15 x 42 area, and it was built to a 14 X 42 area as measured by tape measure. Now by the time you add up the additional truss size, shingles, wood roofing, 1 ft screen and fascia, concrete, rerod, floor painted acrylic, it would have been a $1000 plus mistake. I am NOT. Saying it was intentional, deliberate, or whatever. Mistakes happen anywhere in the country. But I am surprised it was not caught in inspection.Now before anyone says maybe it is the way they measure for landis.. Our current home specified an extension and it IS what was measured.

I assume you contracted to have this home built rather than contracted to buy an already built home? They stopped building homes to order a while back.


We had one built and the first one was new, already built. Both were more than satisfactory.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I assume you contracted to have this home built rather than contracted to buy an already built home? They stopped building homes to order a while back.


We had one built and the first one was new, already built. Both were more than satisfactory.

How far back do you mean by a while back? Our neighbors picked out a lot and had a Premier built last spring. they also had their first home, a designer, built in 2011, but then some time after that they were only offering spec. then suddenly they started offering custom again. It comes and goes.

[Roaddog53]

This would be my 16th house. I grew up in a large developer family. I have built homes myself, contracted, had builders, and renovated foreclosures. I have seen all types. It is true, floor plans can be inches off in some cases due to many variables. But being a foot off is out of bounds. Again, errors happen and this may have been accidental. The Salesperson is aware of it and I wonder if they will tell The Villages and have it "adjusted" in price.
People should ALWAYS have a set of plans for their house. Without Question! It is THEIR house and they paid for it. Usually their are about ~6 + copies made for the builder, trades, and homeowner. I had/have them on mine here. They do come in handy at times.
But, unequivocally a homeowner has to have the specifications on their house and The Villages DOES supply this. However, they are hesitant in the "replication process" when you are trying to design your house which is wrong . That is the specs your house will be patterned after for everything from paint, flooring, counters and their edging, sinks, size of garbage disposal, towel bars, recessed soap in area in tub walls area, listellos.. etc.
Other little things I have found for example are wireless garage door opener omitted, dishwasher changed to a different model, (maybe with all the theft going on), handles wrong color, plug missing, wrong style listello. Are they mistakes or ?. Who knows. But is your house.
If you have not read one, it would be wise to see one prior to build to give you an idea what to look fo in build It is quite detailed.

[Roaddog53]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

I assume you contracted to have this home built rather than contracted to buy an already built home? They stopped building homes to order a while back.


We had one built and the first one was new, already built. Both were more than satisfactory.

Sorry Gracie,
You can have a house built now. Designer and Premier homes can be built to your specifications. The Villages goes back and forth with this idea seems every 6 months to annually. They now are back to having designers sit with you.
In essence:
- You determine the model and home site and "general ideas" what you are looking for in a house
- They find one very close to your ideas and model that is currently on the market and not sold. (Called "replication")
- You than go through the replication house and determine what option want to stay or change. This is where the house specifications come in handy.
- Interior/exterior colors, flooring, tile, counters, lighting, plumbing, etc they want you to find a house with what you are looking for and write down the address. That way you have SEEN it. (makes sense)
- You than make the modifications to the floor plan how you want it.. Add a room off the side if it fits the lot, add a 1/2 bath, extend the garage, and so on
- When done, you have the house how you want it. They will show you the floor plan to be sure
BTW.. They used to only allow 4 changes like flooring, counters, appliances, and colors but now have opened it up

Hope this helps some. If you have questions, I am willing to help. Just contact me