5 Money Saving Upgrades to Consider When Building a New Home
Buying a new home is an exciting process. You get to pick out every detail and make it exactly the way you want it. But with all the decisions to be made, it can be easy to overlook some important details—details that can make your life a lot easier down the road. Here are five upgrades to consider when building a new home.
1. Additional Electrical Work
It’s always better to have too many outlets than not enough. Consider adding extra outlets in every room, especially in rooms where you’ll have a lot of electronics. It’s also a good idea to add extra switches in convenient locations, bedside for example, so you can have more control over the lighting in your home. And if you’re taking into consideration any additional light fixtures, it’s much easier to install them before the walls are closed up. Prewiring for TV and speaker locations also cost dramatically less at this stage versus after move in.
2. Additional Plumbing / Pre-plumb
We may underestimate the process to install sinks, faucets, and the like. Most water sources in the home originate under the slab which can make retrofitting plumbing tricky and expensive. This makes plumbing upgrades one of the most valuable features to consider. Imagine some places in your home where additional plumbing would make life so much easier. For example a utility sink in your garage or laundry room, a pet wash station, or outdoor shower, can help keep mess contained and your living areas cleaner. Other ideas are a wet bar or extra hose bibs that add convenience. Adding there plumbing features as your new home is being built can be much less expensive and built into your mortgage.
3. Flooring
When you’re building a new home, it’s the perfect time to choose the flooring that you really want. After all, once the floors are in, they’re usually not going anywhere. Attempting to change them later can be difficult and expensive, so it’s best to get it right the first time. There are so many different options on the market that it can be overwhelming. However, by taking the time to do your research upfront, you can be sure to find the perfect floors for your home. Whether you’re looking for durability, style, or both, there is definitely a flooring option out there that will suit your needs.
4. Kitchen Countertops
When it comes to kitchen countertops, you will quickly find, you get what you pay for. While initially, less expensive options such as laminate may look great, you will soon find that they do not stand the test of time like their higher end counterparts.
Both granite and quartz are very sturdy materials and provide an immediate feeling of luxury to any bathroom or kitchen surface. Not only will they last longer, but they will also increase the value of your home. When you consider selling your home in the future, these are definitely two materials that will add value when choosing your countertops.
5. Cabinet Materials and Colors
Your kitchen is the heart of the home, so it should be comfortable and reflect your personal taste. The cabinets can make a huge difference in the overall aesthetic and provide additional functionality and space as well. When buying a new home, you may be given options to choose extended cabinets. This is a great time to consider how you use your kitchen space and where you will store small appliance, pots, roasting pans, etc. For material and color options, it is much easier to make the investment when your home is under construction rather than try and attempt a retrofit project in the future.
The Takeaway
Building a new home is an exciting time filled with countless decisions to be made – decisions that will affect your daily life for years to come. While it might be tempting to save money by skimping on some of the details, there are certain upgrades that are worth considering during the building process. These upgrades include additional electrical outlets and switches, additional plumbing / pre-plumb, higher value flooring, and upgraded kitchen countertops and cabinets. By taking the time to consider these upgrades now, you can save yourself time and money down the road.