[alexb]

Folks,
My wife and I will be meeting with a designer in a few days to start the design process for a home in Gilchrist. We understand that we'll have to make some decisions such as color of walls, cabinets, appliances. Would it be useful to consult with an interior decorator before or during this process? Thanks.

Alex

[jimbo2012]

U need to do this before, any change is $250

[Golfer in Sanibel]

It depends on how comfortable you are with your own decorating ideas and skills. If you are not comfortable, by all means consult an interior decorator. You should also visit as many of the model homes, premier, designer and cottage, as you can fit into your schedule. You can narrow your wants by seeing what TV designers have done. In our case, we found an interior my wife loved. She said "This is what I want." and it made the process much easier for us. That was in January and we have yet to find something we would have done differently.

When you see something you like ask your sales rep. if there is a more cost effective way to get the same thing or about. Ours saved us thousands.

Another thing you should do is to question your sales rep about the available bumps and upgrades which are options for the lot you have chosen. They may not be able to give you an exact price for the bumps but they may be able to give you a price others have paid for the same upgrade.

Be prepared to spend several hours. Relax and enjoy the process. Remember, TV has their own way of doing things and it is probably not what you are used to but they do things that way because their vast experience has shown it to be the best. Good luck.

[rjm1cc]

Originally Posted by alexb

Folks,
My wife and I will be meeting with a designer in a few days to start the design process for a home in Gilchrist. We understand that we'll have to make some decisions such as color of walls, cabinets, appliances. Would it be useful to consult with an interior decorator before or during this process? Thanks.

Alex

Do a search as this is not the first time this has come up. I would think of how you will use each room, how you will furnish it, etc. Pay attention to electric outlets etc. Be sure you know how much you can afford to spend.

[hotrodgirl]

I just had my meeting earlier this month, am building in Gilchrist as well, and found the designer to be most helpful. However, I did make a spreadsheet of all my wants and must haves before I left home. Should you be anticipating any stretches DO IT NOW and save some time and money. I was able to add quite a bit of space particularly by adding a room, stretching the kitchen side, the front and the back. There are many electrical and cable outlets throughout, but consider hose bibs outside, extra outlets for the lanai, etc.
There are only 2 standard paint colors for inside, otherwise you can pay extra, and they use flat paint only. Consider if you want their blinds package or want to go to another company for aftermarket. Should you have any specific questions write them down and ASK! They are most helpful. You can PM me also if you would like. I'll try to belp answer some questions for you regarding the process! Good luck and don't sweat the small stuff!!

[CalcTeacher]

Originally Posted by alexb

Folks,
My wife and I will be meeting with a designer in a few days to start the design process for a home in Gilchrist. We understand that we'll have to make some decisions such as color of walls, cabinets, appliances. Would it be useful to consult with an interior decorator before or during this process? Thanks.

Alex

Alexb...where are you in Gilchrist? My husband and I are in Gilchrist as well...we just finished our design process TODAY. PM me if you want specifics. Hotrodgirl is also another good resource (also another Gilly along with WVMtnboy). Welcome to the neighborhood!

[alexb]

Originally Posted by CalcTeacher

Alexb...where are you in Gilchrist?

Thank you all for responding! We bought lot #9 in unit 209. Our meeting with the designer is scheduled for next Tuesday. Will post additional questions if we need help (very likely).

[asianthree]

after building three houses north i just want to walk in and settle in everyone says the meeting is pretty great, i think you just need to be prepared

[Audi Babe]

We are also going to be building in Gilchrist. What are bumps on the lots to which you refer? Is it true that you can only choose from packages? What if you like the cabinets but not the flooring etc. ? When we come in October, we plan to go to lots of open houses to see all the different options. If we find something we like, do we just make a note of the address and model? We are very excited about this, but we are a little nervous about making so many major decisions in such a short period of time. Thanks for the help.

[hotrodgirl]

Hi Audi! I am also in Gilchrist and just starting my build this week! I finished my design meeting on Sept 9th and the process was painless. The designer will be of immense help to you and have many suggestions. You do not have to take a "package" and can mix and match along the way. I would make a list of the things you feel you MUST have, the things you WANT, and those you might like to think about. if you plan to stretch or bump, that should be your first priority. It is easiest to do that during the build and cheaper. The designer will take you around to model homes so you can see what is available to you and can also view these in a normal situation as opposed to a small sample. This will include floors (wood, tile, carpet, vinyl etc) cabinets, layouts, bath tiles, faucets and fixtures, cabinet hardware, lighting, doors, etc etc etc....
No worries! It will be fine! If you want to PM me for more detail, feel free!

[Twinspin60]

We are also in Gilchrist lot #54 and our design meeting is scheduled for October 15th--I'm trying to do as much as I can prior to the meeting so we won't be so overwhelmed when we meet with the team. We were down in May and really narrowed a lot down w/our real estate agent-building an Iris but do want to change some thing and hope they go for it. Can you nix the whole appliance and blind package and purchase your own? We've built in Cleveland so know to add items you can't change and get "the basics" you can change later. It's great to have a "sounding board" like this-thanks for the info.

[jimbo2012]

blinds R not included, appliance opt out is $1625 credit

[alexb]

I'd like to report that, with help from a fantastic designer named Heather and our amazing generous friends Lois and Michael, we completed the design process, signed the contract and are scheduled to close Dec. 7. We started last Tuesday with a morning session followed by an afternoon session. On Wed we met at the granite-yard and picked the granite. On Thur we evaluated our choices and decide to get professional help from an interior decorator recommended to us by our friends. On Friday we went again to the granite yard with the decorator and she helped us find a granite we liked better. The paperwork was finished early in the afternoon.

We are happy with the choices we made and are grateful to Heather for her infinite patience. Thank you Heather! Thank you Lois and Michael! Thank you folks at TOTV for providing this amazing resource!

[skyc6]

Originally Posted by Audi Babe

We are also going to be building in Gilchrist. What are bumps on the lots to which you refer? Is it true that you can only choose from packages? What if you like the cabinets but not the flooring etc. ? When we come in October, we plan to go to lots of open houses to see all the different options. If we find something we like, do we just make a note of the address and model? We are very excited about this, but we are a little nervous about making so many major decisions in such a short period of time. Thanks for the help.

We built lat March in Sanibel. Look for every available foot/inch to stretch your home before you build. It will all depend on your lot size.
You can hire painters later for far less than what TV will charge to up your paint.

[hotrodgirl]

Alex!! Congrats on finishig your meeting and making great choices! I know you will be very happy in TV (and Gilchrist)! I close on Dec 5th, just ahead of you, so exciting times ahead! I am on Amherst, so please stop by and introduce yourselves!!