The problem is not the term "luxury spec," it's the word "custom." A "spec home" is one that a contractor builds on speculation hoping a buyer will come along and purchase it. The builder will include certain components, systems, and features in the home for the listed price. Those might be considered pretty basic in an entry-level spec home and in the "luxury" category in a high-end spec home. In either case, if you want to upgrade something from what the builder has included in the home, you'll need to pay to upgrade it or negotiate the upgrade as part of your offer to purchase the home.

By contrast, a "custom" home is one that is designed and built to meet the needs and tastes of a particular client. Homeowners building a true custom home will select literally everything that goes into the home; there won't be any "upgrades."

In addition to what @Charles Ross Homes said, from my research in the past few months it seems to depend a lot on the builder. Some of the places I looked at had higher base prices and more "upgrades" included standard, and others started low but then nickel-and-dimed you for every upgrade. I'm pretty new to the home-building game, but that's definitely what I found when I was choosing a builder in December.

We are building a custom home; worked with architect to make it uniquely ours. What I should have said is all their custom homes include all things on their “luxury specification” listing. For example engineered hardwood floors are included in foyer, great room, sunroom, kitchen, mud room, library. However, the allowance is for one brand, Hallmark Floors, in one line Novella. (About a dozen to choose from), if you choose same brand, different line that is an upgrade. Carpet is Shaw, builder grade, any others an upgrade on on and on it goes. The contracted price was close to $240 sq ft. At that price it would seem their luxury specifications would be a little higher end.
One “upgrade” that baffles me is mortar for stone. They offer gray or buff. We chose an off white, $500 upgrade.

If this was a build started as a spec home, the builder had a quality tier set for each item you've mentioned. You've selected items above the quality that was included in the price you originally agreed upon.

BTW, unless you live in FL I'd add the humidifier.

A spec home is designed to use certain materials that give a certain look, and a certain profit. Anything other than those materials is, of course, a change order. They may not get as good a deal on some brands as others, even though they may have similar retail pricing. So everything you change will, of course, cost more. As should have been expected.

My error, should never have used the word “spec. “ 😀Agree, with limitations placed on choices, leans more toward semi custom. Trust me, when we get done with the selection process it will be custom as we have yet to choose anything that is included in “unpublished” allowance.

Your builder gave you a price based on allowances for a certain level of finishes. He should have explained that when you hired him. Anything you choose at a higher level costs more and results in a change order. If you chose him because of his low pricing, you now know that you get what you pay for.

Trust me, it is a custom build, from working with architect on. I’m on of plans I found online, and plans I asked them for on a previous build. Made lots of changes.
LynneO- you are right, a huge surprise what finishes, appliances were included. Buyer beware.

No architect worth his license would modify a house plan found online. Are you sure you’re working with a LICENSED architect?

We worked with a architect and a customer builder on a gut remodel with an addition. The architect calculated an estimated cost based on the finishes and materials we wanted (we thought the estimate was too high) and the builder submitted a bid. It was pretty close but a bit higher than what we wanted to spend. The architect helped us find areas to scale back.

we got the sticker shock in the beginning, you got yours at bit later.