08/21/2026
When you walk through a model home and fall in love with it, one thing you really need to know is: How much would it actually cost me to build THIS house?
Because a lot of what you're looking at probably isn’t included in the base price:
❌ Upgraded flooring & carpet
❌ 42" cabinets & crown molding
❌ Certain cabinet woods & finishes
❌ Quartz or granite countertops
❌ Stainless steel appliances
❌ Refrigerator, washer & dryer
❌ Recessed & pendant lighting
❌ Additional windows/window walls
❌ Fireplace & upgraded railing
❌ Those higher 9' ceilings
❌ Upgraded baseboards & trim
❌ Separate tub & shower
❌ Bathroom vanities & countertops
❌ Upgraded faucets & fixtures
❌ Certain exterior elevations
❌ Brick & certain siding colors
❌ Larger concrete patios
❌ Sod and upgraded landscaping
❌ Extra outlets, GFIs & hose bibs
None of that is necessarily a problem. But if you're already close to the top of your budget, you need to know what the INCLUDED version of the home actually looks like before you start mentally moving into the model.
And yes, you can always say, “We'll upgrade that later.” But realistically... a lot of people never do. Life happens, other expenses come up, and replacing something that's perfectly functional becomes a lot harder once you're actually living in the house.
So don't just ask for the base price, ask what it would cost to build the version you're actually standing in.
