[ron32162]

I don't think pavers are allowed in driveways of courtyard villas and patio villas

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by VApeople

Wow, is that ever great advice!

Yes - that is where to start first - thank you

[joelfmi]

Are you setting down these upgrades will cost you about approximate 200K will you get It back when you sell, I don't think so?

[thelegges]

Originally Posted by joelfmi

Are you setting down these upgrades will cost you about approximate 200K will you get It back when you sell, I don't think so?

$200k really, putting in a 28x14 pool plus 12x12 and 12x18 concrete and bird cage for less than $100,000

[Michael 61]

Agree, Joel is way off base.

[rogerk]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Do NOT rely on contractors to get ARC approval, get it yourself. As for your projects, the irrigation will need to be done in conjunction with the exterior expansion projects. This should be handled by the main contractor, and if you plan on landscaping in this area make sure you know where the new pipes are located so you do not hit these when the new plants are installed. IMHO, I would stay away from pavers, search this site, typically lots of maintenance and cracking problems. I would go with concrete stain, HOWEVER, as I understand it there are restrictions on this in villas. As noted above look at your deed restriction very carefully before you proceed. Make sure you understand the restrictions shown on your plot plan, and consider the potential impact on your neighbor.
Good luck with your projects.

Agree 110%

[Calisport]

I've done all except driveway and raise concrete level. Took about a year. Do one at a time. Pay a contractor to schedule your birdcage first. That may take some time since they are all busy. Epoxy last due to traffic in and out. See if you can just have a few sprinklers capped otherwise rerouting can cost thousands.

[nob77@comcast.net]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

It’s time for me to begin upgrading my new patio villa. I need some direction in which sequential order to complete each project. Here’s what I plan to do:

1) Install gutters
2) Extend concrete on side of house
3) Build birdcage to side on house
4) Re-route sprinkler lines to accommodate extension of concrete / birdcage
5) Landscape side and front of house, including building small retention wall for plants/palms
6) Putting in pavers in driveway
7) Apoxy both interior garage as well as lanai/birdcage
8) Upgrade front door (glass inserts)
9) ** Maybe raise flooring height in lanai, to make even with interior of house**

I will be working with multiple contractors, so need advice where to start first.

Thanks as usual for any help provided.

Good luck. Take your time.

[Garywt]

For 1-8 I can’t imagine it would be more than $50k. Of course that depends on how much landscaping and how big the patio will be.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Calisport

I've done all except driveway and raise concrete level. Took about a year. Do one at a time. Pay a contractor to schedule your birdcage first. That may take some time since they are all busy. Epoxy last due to traffic in and out. See if you can just have a few sprinklers capped otherwise rerouting can cost thousands.

You are not allowed to have live water lines under concrete pads, the irrigation lines will need to be moved. We had 4 lines moved, cost was a few hundred dollars., and included in the cost of the pad.

[GKarl]

The Birdcage will be installed with gutters to attach it to the house. Do the gutters after the birdcage.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

It’s time for me to begin upgrading my new patio villa. I need some direction in which sequential order to complete each project. Here’s what I plan to do:

1) Install gutters
2) Extend concrete on side of house
3) Build birdcage to side on house
4) Re-route sprinkler lines to accommodate extension of concrete / birdcage
5) Landscape side and front of house, including building small retention wall for plants/palms
6) Putting in pavers in driveway
7) Apoxy both interior garage as well as lanai/birdcage
8) Upgrade front door (glass inserts)
9) ** Maybe raise flooring height in lanai, to make even with interior of house**

I will be working with multiple contractors, so need advice where to start first.

Thanks as usual for any help provided.

Those who have done all on your list can give you great tips, but, I don't think anyone but YOU can make the sequential list, just impossible to say if more natural light (important to me) coming through new glass door insets, or a nice design finish on a lanai floor, is the priority. It's all so individual, we rushed guttering, then found it was probably not a priority in this part of the country, but we got it, and that's fine. Biggest regret is the pavers, gives a fantastic look. But "most" used here are very different than when you see this done at a house in an upscale neighborhood in a northern state. The thin, porous, types used here, to make them MUCH more "affordable", crack easily, need expensive maintenance and the price goes up every year for "re-sealing", as does the material if you do your own. We wish we'd never done pavers for walks and drive. And now that we know more about a lot of things, would not have done a painted drive either. Wish we had just a plain, concrete drive ! But.... MANY love the look, don't mind the on going expense, or the replacement of cracked ones, so no one can tell YOU what would mean the most to YOU. As others have so wisely commented, whatever you decide, DO NOT FAIL to get that ARC approval, legions of true stories about what that can cost ! It only take ONE curious person in your neighborhood to find out if you are 100% in compliance. Now, I'm sure you've seen the growing controversy over people who have UNKNOWINGLY purchased an out of compliance property (wrong percentage of sod vrs. stone, rock, and so on). Seems the R.E. agents do not check all that out when you call one to list your house for sale, and you may not even know, and an unsuspecting buyer does not find out until just one neighbor becomes curious about who is, and who possibly is not, in compliance ! Slippery slope, beware !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

I'd start with "Let's just live in the house for a while and see what we -really- want to do"...

THE BEST SUGGESTION on this thread ! But, perhaps you have been in your new home at least six months (?) Personally I think it takes at least that long to really analyze your day to day routine, how you do things daily in your new home, etc. If 24 months, IMO, not enough time to really know what will mean the most to you, and, what is "worth" the cost !~ We don't have any, but, being in the homes of many friends for years now, I'd say sky light tubes would be something we would have invested in ! LOVE natural light in kitchens and baths, that would be worth a lot to me.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

THE BEST SUGGESTION on this thread ! But, perhaps you have been in your new home at least six months (?) Personally I think it takes at least that long to really analyze your day to day routine, how you do things daily in your new home, etc. If 24 months, IMO, not enough time to really know what will mean the most to you, and, what is "worth" the cost !~ We don't have any, but, being in the homes of many friends for years now, I'd say sky light tubes would be something we would have invested in ! LOVE natural light in kitchens and baths, that would be worth a lot to me.

It's been barely 2 months... That's why I recommended he wait a while before going hog wild on the upgrades...

Yes, I know a ne home is exciting and you want to do everything, all at once. But take a beat...Catch your breath and the figure out what you REALLY want/need...

We've been in our home 2 years and we're STILL deciding on some upgrades...