[DrMack]

We are closing on our new house about the end of February next year. I know this seems a little bit out, but what can we get done before that day comes? We want the floor in the garage and lanai coated, light tubes put in, a water softener up and running and some specialized landscaping by a third party installed. What can be done beforehand? Also we are hoping to have the washer and dryer working before close? Can any of this be done earlier than closing?

[retiredguy123]

I don't think they will allow you to do any of those things until you take ownership of the house, which would be at the closing. You don't own the house.

The only option I see would be to buy some of those things from the builder and have them install them. For example, you can buy a washer and dryer from the builder.

[Papa_lecki]

You won’t be able to do anything until you close, unless you pay the builder to do them.

Honestly, don’t rush into things. You will want to live in the house, and prioritize your projects.
Keep a list of what you want to do, BUT, line up all the estimates after shortly after close.

You can buy the washer and dryer and arrange delivery the same day you close.

[Keefelane66]

Wait and be patient don't rush it could be a costly mistake.

[asianthree]

NO, you can’t do anything until developers have money in their account and all is signed.

First house closed 17 hours later than scheduled.

Second house 11a close. Close didn’t go off as they expected close finally finished at 1605.

[villagetinker]

Delay your move by a week, stay at a local hotel, and get the stuff you absolutely need for your house. NOTE: VERY IMPORTANT!! Make sure your new house shows up on Google Maps, etc., or you may have a lot of trouble getting your stuff delivered. Make sure your cell phone number is on all delivery instructions and be prepared to provide directions to lost delivery drivers, been there done that. Next will be getting your furniture in your house and arranged. If you are not staying there, you can stop when you are tired, and go to the hotel, rest, and get back into it the next morning. We did an initial move (U-Haul) with enough furniture to 'live' in the house for a few days as we beat the furniture delivery. The washer and dryer were ordered up North, and they literally could not find the NEW zip code for delivery, even the associated store in the villages could not find the new zip code.
As noted above, get in the house, RELAX, then and only then start to look into modifications. While lots of people love solar tube lights, these do not work well on cloudy days or at night, unless you get the ones with auxiliary lights installed ($$$). We found it much more cost effective to just have an additional light installed in place of a solar tube light.
The only item we did before moving in and after closing was to coat the garage floor. It is a real pain to do this after the garage is filled (storage is very limited in these houses).
Hope this helps, and welcome to TV.

[rjm1cc]

Be careful. You may have a problem at closing and decide not to close for a few days.
If you close have the minimum stuff you will need, air mattress, fold up chairs etc and have you stuff delivered a week after closing as suggested. We did not move much in the way of furniture and purchased furniture locally before closing with deliver to be set once we closed. We did have some minor problem but did not have to delay closing.

[Garywt]

You can definitely schedule things to be done the day of closing or possible the next day just in case. Washer delivery, water softener install if you are sure you are going to need that (we put a filter in but didn’t want a softener). Might be able to get prices for the floor painting and the solar tubes before hand if you can get in with them. As said, they will not let you do anything until you own it because what if it fell through or the like.

[Babubhat]

It took months of nagging google maps to get an address south of 44 in database for delivery services. Google needs to to a drive through. Much still shows as dirt with no homes on it.

[Dusty_Star]

I would say that much of the advice is good. Unfortunately, there is little you can do before the house is yours. Take a close look at Google maps, I just did, & there is very, very little (houses, but no roads) for Lake Denham & Lake Denham is much further along than Dabney. Without the Google maps update, you will have a very hard time getting items delivered that you ordered in advance to be delivered upon closing.
Good luck in your new house & Welcome!

[Maker]

Do not roll any upgrade costs into the selling price of the house. That higher sales price will be subjected to property taxes forever. Buy your own appliances, closet hardware, etc.
Landscaping is subjected to ARC approval if you do it. Builder might be able to set things up, like walls and irrigation, that are minimal costs. No need to pay for irrigation in places that needs to be ripped out. Have them set up more zones to better match your plans, including drip irrigation zones.
Things to do now - more outlets inside and outside (every wall, soffits, above kitchen cabinets, toilets, closets). Install 1/4 turn metal shutoff valves. Position water shutoff for refrigerator somewhere it can be reached without moving the refrigerator.
Search for so many other threads about this topic. Great ideas everywhere.

[bowlingal]

DO NOT do anything until the closing...that house is NOT yours until then. Anything can happen between now and Feb.

[bobeaston]

All of the above is good advice. I jump in to emphasize the point of getting the garage floor coated as early as possible. Liquid Floors, and other contractors, has a queue of several weeks, but with this much lead time should be able to schedule close to your closing date.

We had all household goods moved into the large living room rather than the garage and were lucky to get those floors coated quickly. Ever grateful at not having to move goods twice. This also gives you the incentive to get those boxes unpacked quickly instead of sitting untouched in the garage for months. (Two years after our village was first populated, I can see unpacked moving boxes in garages.)

Also IMPORTANT... If there are any things heavy to come through the front door (i.e. clothes washer), have the mover lay a piece of plywood over the door threshold. Those thresholds are a tough plastic composite, but not tough enough. A piece of plywood, and large tires on moving dollies will lessen the pressure.

Best wishes for smooth moving. You'll appreciate your early planning.

[Skunky1]

Make sure you get a mailbox key and the number for your mailbox and location!

[Jolson]

Originally Posted by DrMack

We are closing on our new house about the end of February next year. I know this seems a little bit out, but what can we get done before that day comes? We want the floor in the garage and lanai coated, light tubes put in, a water softener up and running and some specialized landscaping by a third party installed. What can be done beforehand? Also we are hoping to have the washer and dryer working before close? Can any of this be done earlier than closing?

Take a look at Waze. It shows all the new roads.