Tips for Choosing Upgrades

Having a custom home built is certainly not an inexpensive endeavor. However, people who have gone through the process would agree that it’s a worthwhile one. Keep in mind that even after you’ve agreed to a price for your new home, it doesn’t mean that it won’t increase during the journey. While there definitely are some upgrades that are worth the upcharge, there are also some that you’re better off passing on if you are near your maximum spending threshold. As you navigate the world of builder upgrades and try to figure out what to say yes to and what to say no to, you’ll do well to keep a few tips in mind.

Upgrades That Affect Your Building Plan

Some upgrades are small, such as including cabinet lighting or decorative trim. Others, however, such as adding a new room, are major and will cause your building plan to have to be modified or even redone completely. As you can imagine, these types of upgrades tend to be pretty costly, as time and effort will have to be spent redesigning plans. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t make any structural upgrades that interest you. What you should do, however, is agree on those structural upgrades before or at your contract signing. Up until then, nothing is set in stone or legally and officially agreed upon, so it’s okay to make changes to your current plans. Once that contract is signed, however, you’re looking at big charges for structural changes especially if construction has already commenced.

Minor Cosmetic Changes

When it comes to minor cosmetic changes, such as choosing a textured paint or switching from carpeting to hardwood flooring, it’s best to make these later on in the game. This is especially true if you’re on the fence about these types of upgrades. If you are uncertain, or still “shopping”, its best to play it safe until you have fully committed to these extras.                    

These cosmetic changes are easier to determine once there is a physical structure in place which will help you visualize the effects.

Be Smart with Money

It can be tempting, especially when you’re still “riding the high” of having your home custom built and designed, to opt for every upgrade you want or see. After all, you want the very best home, and if you’re like most people, you’ve waited for years and years for this dream to come true, so you think, “why not?” Saying, “why not?” too often, however, can cause you to spend a small fortune on your home’s customizations alone and to go way over your original budget? Stick to your budget when necessary and only invest in those upgrades you truly bring value and feel you can’t do without. Also, another good reason not to overdo upgrades is that it’s possible to make a home too customized. If your home is tailored too specifically to your wants and needs, you’re probably going to have a hard time finding a new buyer for it if you ever decide to sell. And, with the future and the market as unpredictable as they are right now, that’s definitely something to think about, as are these other helpful tips.