Hello everyone,
I took quite a long hiatus from blogging after moving into my home. We are certainly enjoying our home and even more so, our neighborhood. The neighborhood is beautiful, the homes are gorgeous and the neighbors are friendly.
Since moving in I've been making mental notes about all the little things I SHOULD have done or even COULD have done, but did not think about before signing the contract. I will be making posts about these things and also discussing my plans for decorating - including the costs of such projects.
Here's to more posts!!!
hey you back, how your new home, ur blog has helped me a lot. We are building the same plan as you. didn't take media room, and unfortunately no patio, did you guys ever go ahead and bulid one out on your own, also how are you finding your home? we are closing maybe in aug/sept. would love to read your pointers
ReplyDeletesorry its david
DeleteHi David,
DeleteWe got one quote for a covered patio in the back without an outdoor kitchen. For the patio cover alone the quote was $13,000. Yikes! But we will be getting another quote shortly.
We are really enjoying our home and our neighborhood even more so. I will be posting shortly about our experience with Toll Brothers so far since closing.
Your blog has been very helpful in the whole construction process with tollbrothers. Lupita
ReplyDeleteThanks Lupita!
Deletedee structurally is there any other thing you would have added when picking your structural options? also how was closing like? did u use a realtor at closing?
ReplyDeleteHello there!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I wish I would have gotten the covered patio . It is certainly a lot of work getting it done afterwards (looking at others have theirs done).
- door from breakfast area onto the covered patio
- decorative ceiling in the foyer, dining, and living room
- pot filler
- butler's pantry
- different wet bar (was not given dimensions and it is rather small)
Dont forget about electrical options as well. I definitely wish I had gotten some extra recessed lights perhaps in the foyer, dining room and game rooms. Honestly, extra lighting in the jack & jill bath would have been nice. I don't know how my youngest will be able to see in the shower with the curtain drawn. For now he only takes baths so it's not an issue.
Closing was very smooth and we were FORCED to close at the Design Center. No one was there from Toll Brothers. They had a representative and the entire process was painless. My realtor was there but they can only get a commission if they are also there when you sign the contract. I can't say that her presence was very helpful.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
I thought everyone get a door in the breakfast room to the patio area?
ReplyDeleteI will consider adding extra recessed lights, we didn't order a patio but now I know I want one, will have to wait till after closing.
Yes. There is a door to the standard covered patio, however if you decide to add your own covered patio right outside the breakfast area you have to walk out the door to the uncovered patio to get to it. I can see other people's homes behind mind which have 2 separate doors and I like the idea.
DeleteDee are you planning on getting the full covered patio addition from the 2nd floor or just from the kitchen 1st floor level. I think you can build a small walk path to the covered area from the uncovered patio.
ReplyDeleteHello,
DeleteI plan on only getting the covered patio from the kitchen on the 1st floor level. If my home were on a lake front lot or had a very large yard, then that would be something to consider, but with my super small lot, I would have an even better view of my neighbors downstairs areas. lol
for 13000 a covered patio on the kitchen should be too much, check for other bids? if you get one and finally do it please post so I could borrow your idea, david
ReplyDeletehi Dee,
ReplyDeletewe are about to sign a contract with TOll Brothers with a Vallagio plan in the Dallas area. My husband found your blog and i have to say its ver useful to track your journey and expereice as you built your Vallagio. We are getting Media, Butler's pantry, book cases in office and curvd balcony. What other options did you fell you should have gotten? Also where did you put travertine. Your entry hallway is marble, correct?
thanks
Hetal.
Hello there! Hopefully you have not yet signed. I have seen so many customizations just driving through my neighborhood and was surprised by how creative people got with their options. So let's see if I can do this by room.
DeleteEntry: SIDELIGHTS!!!! Adds interest.
Living room: wish I would have gotten either coffered ceilings or wood beams in the living room. ALL of the Partner in Building homes in my section have them and I think it really adds interest and will be desired when I sell years down the road.
Dining room: Would have considered coffered ceiling there as well. Still fine without.
Breakfast area: Since I plan on building covered patio off the breakfast area, an exit to the outside in addition to the standard, would have been nice. Keep in mind that doing so takes up wall space for furniture placement, however.
Master bedroom: Door to patio in place of window. Additional recessed lights - the ceiling fan light does a terrible job at illuminating such a large room.
Master Bath: None.
Study: None - simply because of budget. I love the idea of built-ins there.
Downstairs guest room: None
Upstairs bedroom near gameroom: None
Media room: Wish I had full length cabinets (one to house the media equipment)
Other bedrooms: None
Other: 1. Wish I had light sources placed above art niches. I think that would look great! 2. Question whether I should have added the lights by the main staircase.
Some customizations I have seen:
- Window in single car garage
- additional small covered patio off breakfast area
Yes, my foyer is marble but I really wish I would have gone with a more durable natural stone, perhaps a travertine. Marble is such a pain to clean since it's so delicate. And you are advised to not wear heels while walking on it.
DeleteI put travertine in my master bath as the backsplash for the tub and also in the shower. The builder does not seal the natural stone for you so if you do choose travertine please remember to visit a store like Lowe's and purchase sealant to apply before use. The travertine is doing just fine and after researching online I use the blue Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean it and then some natural stone cleaner here and there to condition it.
Also what are the "little things" you mentioned you should/could have done before signing your contract? we sign this weekend, so it would be helpful to know.
ReplyDeletethank.s
Dee,
ReplyDeleteI believe you can get beams on celing and coffered ceilings in dining and great room done afterwards. That is what we are planning to do. Also we are planning to do butlers pantry, study builtins, hutch in BF area afterwards with a custom carperter since going thru toll for all this was very very expensive. Do you find your kitchen to be good enough size? I find the counter space in Vallagio to be scarce. I regret not getting expanded kitceh.