What home upgrades increase value? With low housing inventory affecting much of the nation, new construction might be the best option for many home buyers. It allows you to choose your lot, select preferred finishes, and consider various add-ons to avoid the hidden issues often found in older homes. However, building new can become costly if you're not careful with upgrade choices. It's essential to know which home upgrades increase value and which may be best after move-in date.
While the base price of a home may fit your budget, it can quickly escalate with additional upgrades. Remember, each upgrade increases the total price, affecting taxes and your mortgage. By minimizing upgrades, you can strategically keep costs low. If you have savings, consider tackling projects after closing to enjoy the best of both worlds. However, some upgrades are more cost-effective during construction. Timing is important, so to help you decide which upgrades to prioritize and which to delay, as well as what extras to ask for when buying a new build house, we've compiled the following list.
Timeline for Selecting Upgrades in New Construction Homes
When purchasing a new construction home, the upgrade selection timeline starts immediately after signing the contract. Early engagement is crucial for structural modifications, as these decisions affect building permits and the construction schedule.
Typically, within two to three weeks, buyers attend a design center appointment to choose interior finishes and fixtures. Arriving with design preferences and a clear budget ensures selections match personal taste and financial goals, leading to a smoother construction experience and a home that reflects their lifestyle.
Essential Home Features to Request
These high-ROI new construction upgrades significantly enhance your home's value. By investing in features like energy-efficient appliances and smart home technology, you ensure both immediate comfort and long-term appeal.
1. Flooring Upgrades
Wood floors offer timeless elegance and durability, enhancing your home’s value and appeal. Their classic look suits various design styles, making them a wise investment for aesthetics and resale potential. Typically, carpet is standard except in kitchens, bathrooms, entryways, and hallways, but many homeowners prefer the seamless appearance of hardwood or laminate throughout the first floor.
For a high-end upgrade, luxury tile offers both durability and sophistication. Porcelain or natural stone tiles provide a refined aesthetic while being highly resistant to moisture, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and even main living areas. Modern tile options can replicate the warmth of wood or the elegance of marble, allowing homeowners to achieve a premium look with superior longevity and easy maintenance. Heated tile floors add an extra layer of comfort, making them a luxurious and practical choice for year-round warmth.
2. Roughed-In Plumbing
Investing in roughed-in plumbing during new construction is essential for seamless integration and cost efficiency. It prepares your home for future expansions, enhancing both functionality and value.
Structural Integration: Install supply and waste lines early to ensure seamless integration and avoid costly modifications later.
Cost Efficiency: Address plumbing needs before finishing materials to reduce expenses and labor compared to post-construction changes.
Future-Proofing: Plan for future fixtures like bathrooms or utility sinks to enhance flexibility, functionality, and home value.
Prioritizing roughed-in plumbing ensures a well-integrated, cost-effective, and adaptable system for current and future needs.
3. Electrical Upgrades
Pre-wiring for smart home technology, security systems, and integrated sound saves time and money compared to retrofitting. Ensuring ample outlets and strategically placed lighting enhances convenience and prepares your home for future technological advancements.
Upgraded Electrical Panel:
Increasing your home's electrical capacity is crucial for safely supporting modern appliances and future additions. This upgrade ensures your system can handle high-demand devices like smart technology, enhancing safety and allowing for future technological advancements.
Additional Electrical Outlets and USB Ports:
Convenient Charging Stations: Incorporating outlets with built-in USB ports in areas like kitchens, bedrooms, and home offices accommodates the growing number of electronic devices.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station:
Garage Charging Points: Installing a dedicated circuit for EV chargers prepares your home for the increasing popularity of electric vehicles.
4. Basement Upgrades
When planning your new construction home’s basement, consider these three essential upgrades:
Increased Ceiling Height: Opting for a deeper basement during construction enhances the space’s openness and usability, making it more comfortable and versatile for future finishing projects.
Egress Windows: Installing egress windows not only brings natural light into the basement but also meets safety codes, especially if you plan to add bedrooms. These windows provide essential emergency exits and can significantly enhance the basement’s appeal and functionality.
Enhanced Insulation and Moisture Control: Utilizing moisture-resistant insulation materials, such as spray foam or extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam boards, helps prevent energy inefficiency and mold growth, ensuring a comfortable and healthy environment.
Incorporating these upgrades during the construction phase not only improves immediate functionality but also adds long-term value to your home.
5. Enhanced Kitchen Design
Upgrading kitchen elements such as countertops, cabinetry, and appliances significantly enhances both functionality and aesthetics. High-quality materials and modern appliances not only improve daily cooking experiences but also add a touch of elegance and efficiency to the space.
A well-designed kitchen serves as the heart of the home, fostering family gatherings and social interactions. Additionally, it acts as a key selling point for future buyers, potentially increasing the home's market value and appeal. Investing in a stylish and functional kitchen is a wise decision that benefits both current enjoyment and future resale potential.
6. Outdoor Living Spaces
Designing functional outdoor areas, such as patios, decks, or screened-in porches, extends your living space and expands entertainment spaces, providing additional areas for relaxation and social gatherings.
Key features like comfortable seating, outdoor kitchens, and ambient lighting can transform these spaces into inviting retreats. Well-planned outdoor spaces enhance your home’s appeal and usability, offering a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living.
Planning Post-Move-In Upgrades to Personalize Your New Home
When planning your new construction home, it’s important to recognize that while custom builders may offer a wide array of personalized upgrades, larger production builders often provide limited options. This limitation necessitates proactive planning to identify and prioritize the enhancements you wish to implement post-move-in, transforming your new house into a personalized and comfortable home.
By thoughtfully considering and planning for these post-move-in upgrades, you can effectively tailor your new construction home to reflect your personal style and meet your specific needs, ensuring it becomes a true sanctuary that offers both comfort and functionality. In the list of must-haves are the following.
Towel Warmers
Incorporating a towel warmer into your new build is a strategic upgrade that enhances daily comfort and adds value to your home. While builders may not offer towel warmers as standard, replacing the builder-grade towel bar with an electric towel warmer is a straightforward enhancement.
Electric towel warmers ensure that towels dry quickly and effectively, preventing the accumulation of bacteria and germs that thrive in damp conditions. This promotes a cleaner and healthier bathroom environment.
For resale purposes, towel warmers serve as a “wow factor.” As discerning buyers increasingly prioritize comfort and convenience, the presence of a towel warmer can make your property more attractive, potentially resulting in a higher resale value.
Considering these benefits, integrating a towel warmer during the planning stages of your new build is a worthwhile investment that combines luxury, health benefits, and increased property appeal.
Radiant floor heating
By planning post-move-in upgrades, you can tailor your home to your style and needs. Radiant floor heating is a must-have, offering consistent warmth and energy efficiency for enhanced comfort and functionality.
Benefits of Electric Radiant Floor Heating:
Consistent Warmth: Installing electric radiant floor heating system ensures a uniformly warm floor surface, eliminating the discomfort of cold spots and enhancing overall comfort.
Energy Efficiency: These systems are designed to be energy-efficient, providing warmth directly to the floor surface and reducing the need for additional heating sources.
Cost-Effective Installation: Incorporating electric floor heating during a bathroom remodel is cost-effective, as it utilizes the conductive properties of existing flooring materials, leading to efficient heat distribution.
By integrating electric floor heating during your bathroom remodel, you can transform the space into a spa-like oasis, providing luxurious comfort and eliminating the chill of cold floors.
Conclusion
Choosing a new-construction home can be overwhelming due to the numerous options available, including various add-ons. It's important to focus on upgrades and amenities that add value while avoiding unnecessary additions. By carefully selecting upgrades, you can keep the base price low and ensure future projects remain manageable and convenient.
Interested in learning more about how much a floor heating system would cost for an upcoming project? Use our Quote Builder to get an quick estimate!