THE COLOR SELECTION PROCESS
Introduction
The interior designers at Wasatch Homes are pleased to guide you through the color selection and design process necessary for personalizing your new home. Never before in the world of home building have clients been offered so many color and design options for expressing their individual preferences and personal style.
Our desire is not just to build you a home; we want to create a beautiful environment that supports your lifestyle. Building a home is an exciting and sometimes an emotional experience. Since building a home is big decision, it takes a lot of commitment. We are also committed to helping you make well thought out decisions so that you will be comfortable and excited about the choices you have made.
The Color Selection Procedures
 When you sign your initial contract and put down your deposit with your Wasatch Homes representative you have 30 days to set up your Preconstruction Meeting or submit your Preconstruction Deposit.
You have 30 days from the date of the initial contract signing to finalize your Color Selections with your interior designer. You cannot schedule a preconstruction meeting without having the finalization approved by the designer.
So how do you start the design process? Your designer will receive a copy of the initial contract and will contact you to set up an introductory or initial color selection meeting.
If you are not contacted within a week after you sign that first contract please call and notify your agent so they can contact the designers to make sure your contract has been received.
Please note that there will be scheduling exceptions made for clients from out of state or who have special circumstances. In this case please contact your agent so they can be aware of your needs and help you get scheduled accordingly.
Color Selection is a Process
The list of product materials and their applications is fairly extensive. It can be difficult to make all of your choices in one day or a couple of hours. These decisions should take a lot of thought, taking into consideration how long you will be living in your new home. The designers refer to Color Selection as a process and not an event. For this reason, the designers recommend that the clients schedule at least three visits within the 30 days available to become comfortable with their choices before their finalization.
Please note that there will be exceptions made for out-of-state clients or those who may have special circumstances. It is not uncommon for an out-of-state client to make all of their selections in one day. If you are in this circumstance, try to schedule two full days of time with the designer to get everything finished and finalized. These appointments must be scheduled in advance so that the designer can be well prepared and have enough time to set aside so you can be the top priority.
The Initial Color Selection Meeting
The purpose of this first meeting is to give you a chance to meet your designer and look at the many different products you have to choose from. You will learn about the standard products that are included in the price of your home and get the opportunity, if you wish, to see the various upgrades that are available.
This meeting is to help you, the client, get a general feeling for what your options are. It will also give you a chance to talk to the designer about your preferences and needs.
Discover your priorities and style preferences as much as possible before your first meeting. Your initial visit is a good time to discuss those details with your designer. She will offer you important insight that will help you achieve what is most important to you.
Your Priorities as a Client
In building a home, you will have specific priorities. It is never the designer's intent that you put the design of the home over its function. Consider the following.
Budget: Budget consideration is of utmost importance. You do not have to be building a million dollar home to invoke a specific mood, style or taste into your home, but it does take careful planning and consideration. We believe that within our Designer and Premier packages you can create a very beautiful home just by using the standards. The designer will get a feeling for what your pricing concerns may be; she is well acquainted with the products and can recommend the products that and fit your needs, style, and budget.
Resale Value: In personalizing your home, resale should always be a consideration. Some people only plan to stay in their home for a few years then sell and buy new again. Even if this will be your final home, you will want to think about resale because your home will change hands in the future. You will want to reflect on your situation carefully. Some upgrades are not valuable in the long run. If it is your last home, you may feel that the personal satisfaction of creating a more personal look outweighs the risks of a home being more difficult to sale later. Certain rules of thumb apply when you are considering resale, and your designer will be familiar with how to help you personalize your home and still achieve a look that will appeal to a broad audience later.
Trends versus Traditional: When personalizing your home, you will find that many of the things you like are very new and popular. Following trends is okay to a degree, but some trends can have expensive consequences later. The best rule of thumb is to only do dramatic or trendy materials and colors on items that are easy to replace and redo. Your designer will be current with the new trends and can advise you concerning their specific applications.
Upgrades or Wish List Pricing: Your Designer is here to make this process easier and give you feedback to help you make the final decisions. Upon request, she will also give you pricing for specific design related upgrades. We encourage you to have these wish list prices submitted near the beginning of the process. Some of these options need to be sent out to be bid and can take time to receive. Trying to make a last minute decision because you do not have a price can be frustrating. Pricing questions can also hold up other details and options, slowing the process even further. Make an effort to think of all of the details you are considering and talk with your designer about those options as soon as possible to avoid any hold ups.
The designers are very conscientious of what people are looking for in various upgrades. They are working to provide diverse design options, but these all must be within reason. Some design wishes are impossible to execute well, are costly, and may not be very functional. In any case, discuss options with the designer as she will be a reliable source of information.
After the First Visit
You will find after the first visit that you may feel very independent and will not always need the assistance of the designer to evaluate your selections, You are always welcome to come in during our business hours ( please check our hourly schedule on the website as it changes seasonally) to browse and make selections.
Because of the many clients the designer will be assisting, you are advised to make and appointment or check with her to make sure she will be available. By making an appointment, you can assure better one-on-one attention. Please be respectful of the time and service your designer offers you.
Clients need to be prepared to take responsibility and set aside the needed time to make the color selection process a success. The designers are not responsible if you cannot make and keep your appointments.
With your input, the color selection can go smoothly. The designers at Wasatch Homes are not here to tell you what you like or what you should do. They want your home to reflect your taste, and are here as facilitators and to offer support and an often needed second opinion. The information you provide them about your preferences will make the process much more manageable.
Client Research
As a client, it is important that you take time to do your research and have a general idea of what styles and color schemes you like. Our model homes are designed to appeal to many different tastes and styles. While you may have found the floor plan you love, you may want to visit our different models to see the different color schemes and textures used. That way you can evaluate what you like or dislike which can help direct you towards making selections that will create the desired feeling you would like in your home. Sometimes it is something in a neighborhood or magazine that strikes your interest. It is important that we help you find a color scheme that you will be happy with and your research can make this process easier.
We have so many options at the design center that it can sometimes be overwhelming. If you come to us with a general idea or photographs we can show you the products and materials that we have that can help you achieve the desired effect.
Finalizing
When you have narrowed down all the design options for your home you will need to schedule a finalization appointment with your designer. At this meeting, she will double check your choices and your upgrades and the information will be sent over to the agent to be prepared for your Preconstruction Meeting.
There are so many choices that it is not uncommon for people to have many different upgrades and options priced and to vacillate between the different variations. As the client, it is your responsibility to make sure the items you want end up in the color selection and your contract.
This meeting is a good time to double check all your selections to make sure your are comfortable with your choices. After you're preconstruction you will be required to pay a change order if you change any of these selections.
Your Preconstruction Meeting
The pre-construction meeting is to be held within 30 days of entering into the initial contract. This meeting is the time for all options, color selections and upgrades you have chosen to be put into writing and entered into the contract. All contracts are written, not verbal. As the client, it is your responsibility to make sure everything you want to go into your new home is accounted for in the written agreement.
This meeting is not a time for decision-making. It's purpose is time to take the decisions you have previously made through your experience and conversations with your Agent and the designer, and make them final by integrating them into the initial Contract. If you have unresolved pricing questions and issues about various options, you will need to have those resolved before this meeting.
In addition, the remainder of your deposit is due at your preconstruction meeting. You can locate the amount due on the first page of your contract. Upon receipt of your construction deposit and completion of the pre-construction meeting, the permit will be submitted so that on its approval and return, the building process may begin. Please note for your convenience any changes made after the pre-construction meeting, if allowable, will be subject to change order fees. We recommend avoiding additional fees by taking your time, making certain of your choices before the pre-construction meeting is scheduled.
Change Orders
Change order fees can be very costly and can carry risks. They take time to process and are not always facilitated in a timely manner. Many of the products used in your home are ordered far in advance, making it is impossible to change these selections at the last minute without putting delays and added cost to the building process. Any change orders will be made with your agent.
DOWNLOAD COLOR SELECTION FORM
We are looking forward to assisting you in creating your new home. Through this process we hope you will be inspired. The designers are here to help educate you about the choices you are making so that you can feel confident about your selections. It is our hope that the appearance of your home will provide you with a feeling of personal satisfaction as you watch it become a reality.
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