Builder options -- Worth it?
Jay Walsh
6 years ago
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Beth H. :
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoJay Walsh
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help with Options and Upgrades - what's worth the money?
Comments (11)Hard to say what makes sense for you. I can tell you what makes sense for me. I commented on each of the items you mentioned. Hope it helps. - Finished Basement $52,500 - I have no idea how much it would be to do this later. This is a lot of money, but may be worth it to do it now. - Upgrade to 10' ceiling height on main floor $9,500 (standard is 9' ceiling) - 10' are super nice (that's what we are going with in our build), but 9' are nice as well (that's what we have in current home). So if cost is an issue, skip this one. - Ground Floor Double Door Entrance $760 - matter of taste. I'd probably skip this one. - Garage door opener with one remote $740 each - I'd say that's imperative! How can you be without a remote for the garage?! - Keypad for garage door opener $150 each - Also a must in my opinion. - Rough-In 2nd Floor Alarm - All Windows and Doors $160 - I would also do this one. - Rough-In 2nd Floor Keypad $30 each - I would do one in the master bedroom (which we did in the old house and in the new build), because you want to be able to turn on the alarm without having to go downstairs in the middle of the night. - Reinforce ceiling fixture for future fan/fixture $150 each - nice value, but since I don't care for ceiling fans, it will depend on your preference. - Upgrade to 200 amp service $1,000 each (standard is 100 amp) - I have no idea. - Complete valance lighting c/w switch $750 each - also no idea - Wall sconce rough-in c/w switch $240 each - as opposed to what and where? - Wall sconce rough-in on mirror c/w switch $300 each - bathroom? What's there standard? - Exterior soffit potlights $450 each - your preference - Recessed shower light c/w switch $290 each - I would do this one. I hate dark showers. It makes no sense to have light just in the bathroom, and a dark tub/shower area after you close the curtain. In my city it is code to have a light in the shower or tub. - Smooth ceiling (2nd Floor throughout) $1,590 (first floor smooth ceiling comes standard) - good grief, do not allow popcorn ceiling (if that's the standard). Think about the cost to remove it and refinish it later. Yikes. - Upgrade from standard round column to square drywall column with trim to match house - half column $440 each - your personal taste - Upgrade to 10mm Frameless Shower Enclosure - M Ensuite $3,060 - very nice option, but it is a budget thing. - Upgrade from Bath Tub to Frameless Shower Enclosure - Ensuite #2 $1,850 would not do this. - Upgrade from Bath Tub to 10mm Frameless Shower Enclosure - Main Bath $1,850 - would not do this - Upgrade from 5' Bath Tub to 5' Shower (no door) $1,400 - I'd keep the bath tub and the shower separate in the master suite. If this is in the other bathroom, I would keep the bath/shower combo. - Extra sink and single lever faucet in ensuite $725 each - double sinks is a must in the master. Trust me. - Whirlpool Upgrade in lieu of Corner or Oval Tub - 8 Jets $1,475 each - how much do you really think you would the whirlpool? Cleaning of each jet in there, think about it. I would not do this, but it depends on your preference. - Waterline for ice-maker $250 each - to the fridge? It's a must. - Upgrade Kitchen exhaust fan vent to 8" vent $470 - I have no idea - Rough-in gas line for BBQ/pool $665 each - do you BBQ? - Rough-in gas line for stove/range $665 each - what is standard, electric? What kind of cooktop do you want? If it is induction, check the volt/ampere needed for that, and make sure they install the correct one. I added a 60 amp one on mine. - Additional standard fireplace - 1st floor $4,450 - where would that be? Is one enough? - Additional standard fireplace - 2nd floor $4,800 - would not do it, but I live in Texas, not Canada..... - Blower heater fan $620 each - no idea - Fireplace remote control $250 each - not sure it's necessary....See MoreBuilder's crew cleared too many trees. Do I have any options?
Comments (39)Some people, including many builders and construction workers (and a few who have posted here) do not value trees. To me, this is a battle worth fighting and I would not just let this go. We have a number of century old Douglas Firs that define the personality of our property. During construction, I had to put up construction fencing and fight to keep trucks off of the roots, as our GC thought I was nuts. Is yours a deciduous woods or coniferous? If coniferous, you might look into having them plant mid-sized Western Hemlocks, which will grow well in the shade of other trees. (Douglas Firs require full sun.) We have 20-year-old Douglas Firs on our forestry deferral acreage, and in 14 years they've gone from waist high to very tall and now cast dense shade. Hemlocks are also fast-growing. Another thought would be to have them plant understory trees and shrubs between the woods and your drive. This would be beautiful and would be of benefit to wildlife — and turn lemons into lemonade....See MoreReplacing new basic builder kitchen with third-party option post-close
Comments (8)Here is a thought....since the layout and electrical isn't changing in your vision, could you use the builder basic boxes and get custom doors made for the cupboards? Would that work at all? I hear you about spotty granite (ugh). If you are planning to remove whatever they put in, is there a formica or laminate option? I think I'd choose the least option from a price point of view and then if you can use it again elsewhere in the house, formica is relatively easy to take out and cut to size etc - and more DIY than if it is a stone of some sort. But I think you'd want your flooring to run under the cabinets, so if they install and you want to change the flooring out, you'll be tearing all of it out. Do you have specific cabinets in mind? Have you talked to that company for a price quote? I think I'd start there and that will give you a good idea of price difference between what the builder wants and the other quote. Counters - well that can be quite a price range so you'd better get a quote on that too. I guess you really need to do some comparison shopping for what you want to get good ideas for pricing. It might be worth booking an appointment with a kitchen designer who can help you sort through the options available from the builder and other options available. You don't want to spend money twice if you can avoid it so I think some professional help (not some paid salesperson from the builder) might be a good idea to give you some feedback and options. Look at some posts on Houzz from "The Cooks kitchen". She has some really good kitchen ideas and is willing to share her knowledge generously. The layout you've shown above from the builder doesn't look bad at all, but maybe a professional can find a way to make the most of the choices available to you and limit some expenses and waste if possible....See MoreIs it worth upgrading kitchen cabinets with the builder?
Comments (10)Not a professional but based on your clarifications It is not called "builder grade" for nothing :-) The cabinets are more expensive than would cost if you were remodeling a kitchen and getting equivalent cabinets. The business model of builders is to charge excessively for upgrades because the base package offered is generally not desirable to most buyers. I would doubt you would be able to get a builder to agree to use a third party cabinet supplier - too many potential issues as builder homes with these kinds of packages are essentially assembly lines. If you were building a true custom home, that would be different as your initial contract would provide for your providing various components. You cannot swap cabinets in a year or two to upgrade. Cabinets are probably the most expensive and disruptive component in any remodel and by changing cabinets, you are essentially remodeling. Everything would need to be taken out and reinstalled. You would not find any GC who would be willing to guarantee that the counter would not be damaged when it was reintalled. Even though you can reuse appliances, they would all need to reinstalled. If you wanted to upgrade in terms of under cabinet lights, that would be an upgrade. I would suggest that you consult with someone knowedgeable about home values and what is generally done in your neighborhood. In other words, you don't want to overbuild but you also don't want to underbuild. There are certain components like cabinets which are not generally swapped out easily and certain others like backsplashes, faucets and even counters which are often upgraded because they are discrete changes - you can change and upgrade these items without creating a chain reation of other items as would be the case for cabinets. That is why standard advice is to get the best cabinets you can afford and possibly save money on other more easily upgraded items....See MoreJay Walsh
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