When it comes time to purchase a home, many buyers decide that new construction is the favorable option as it allows them to choose personalized finishes that meet their style and personality. However, once you have walked through model homes and picked the perfect design and location to meet your needs, you will need to take some time to decide what (if any) upgrades you want to Invest in on top of the included options that come with the home. Choosing upgrades and finishes can not only be overwhelming, but choosing too many upgrades can quickly cause the total price of your home to go over budget. You will then need to prioritize what upgrades matter most to you. Yet, with so many options available, how can you decide which upgrades to invest in now, and which ones can wait till later? The fact is that some upgrades should be prioritized over others as they are easier to add when the house is being built. Here is a look at what upgrades are worth it when buying a new construction home.
Radiant Floor Heating
If you live in a cold climate, radiant floor heating can be a great energy-efficient add-on to your home that increases resale value and adds luxury. Radiant floor heating is particularly popular under tile in bathrooms as it can help keep your feet warm on what would otherwise be a cold surface. However, if you think you may be interested in radiant floor heating, this is something that you should consider investing in now rather than waiting to do it down the road, as this would require your flooring to be torn up before radiant heating could be installed. Upgrading to radiant floor heating now before your floors are installed is then a wise investment that can save you time and money.
A Deeper Basement
When deciding how to prioritize your budget and what upgrades are really necessary, you should take a moment to consider how you plan on using your basement in the future. If you would like to finish your basement down the road (once your house has had time to settle), you should consider paying extra for a deeper pour. An extra foot or so of height in your basement can be the difference between it feeling cramped and it feeling like any other floor in your home. This option is quite affordable compared to other upgrades, and it is more than worth it if you plan on finishing your basement as it will make the space much more useable.
Roughed-In Plumbing
Speaking of basements, if you think you may want to finish your basement later, and that plan includes adding a bathroom, you will definitely want to invest in having your builder rough-in the plumbing for a bathroom now. The fact is that if you try to add a bathroom later and the plumbing isn't already in place, contractors may have to do extra work in the basement to add plumbing. Considering how costly this would be, you are much better off having this plumbing added now, as it will actually add to your home's resale even if you never get around to finishing your basement.
Electrical Upgrades
Similar to roughed-in plumbing, you should also consider all of your electrical needs before your home is built. At Natale, we do electrical walkthroughs with each of our clients before we go forward, as electrical upgrades are much easier, and cheaper, to perform before the drywall goes up. For instance, if you have a high-quality home theater system, it may be worthwhile to have wiring for the speakers run behind the wall so that you don't have to open up the walls to do it later. You may also want to consider room layouts and how you will be using each room, as this can help you decide whether it would be worthwhile to have additional outlets added. In-wall and in-floor outlets are easiest to integrate into a home's design during the build process, so this is something you should consider investing in now to save you stress down the road. Having extra outlets will give you the flexibility to rearrange furniture without having to worry about needing extension cords.
When purchasing a new construction home, some upgrades are more worthwhile than others. For instance, it is generally best to decline appliance upgrades, as choosing your own appliances allows you to pick the style you want, and you may even find a better deal buying them on your own. Alternatively, other upgrades such as adding plumbing and electrical are best completed when the house is being built as doing so saves time and money. Feel free to contact us to learn more about the most valuable upgrades to choose for your new construction home.
