NEW HOME UPGRADES
For the second post in my series on home building, I'm going to touch on upgrades! Over the course of our 5 builds we have spent more than I would like to admit on upgrades So I can definitely say that I've been though a few life lessons on what to upgrade and what to pass on! To make it easier, I'll break it down into a few categories!
1 - Flooring
Flooring makes such a huge impact in any space and is very expensive (and awkward) to change out down the road if you decide to make a change! If you have your heart set on something specific then you should be sure to work it into the budget off the hop! In every house that we have built, we have always ended up upgrading the flooring. The usual budget allowance will cover (a basic) carpet in the living areas, and linoleum in the kitchen & bathrooms and a 12"x12" tile backsplash/fireplace surround. I find that upgrading your main living area to a laminate or hardwood is always worth the investment!
2 - Light Fixtures/Electrical
This girl loves to shop for lighting! Walking into a lighting store is like being a kid in a candy shop for me, so it's pretty easy to get carried away! Always be sure to see what is included in the allowance first, this will give you an idea of what you REALLY need to switch out and how much that upgrade will cost you out of pocket. If you are working within a budget I would upgrade anything hard to switch out later, such as a two storey foyer or living room. Or upgrade your kitchen pendants and bathrooms but keep your bedrooms as a standard selection. Light fixtures are really easy to change out later so it's an upgrade that I will add slowly if needed. (As for the lights that you are replacing, I've had great luck selling them on Varage Sale!)
3 - Bathrooms
Plumbing is a budget killer! In a recent Instagram post I asked what is the one thing that always sends you over budget and the majority of answers all said plumbing! So is it worth splurging on? If it's important to you...then yes it is! If you have always dreamed of a big soaker tub or walk in tile shower then you WILL regret cheaping out! From my own experience, if you are only staying in the house for a short amount of time, there is a good chance you will not fully recoup the cost of your upgrades. Long story short...do it for you, not the future owner.
4 - Kitchens
Kitchens are another place where is it so easy to get carried away! While it's great to pin amazing dream kitchens on Pinterest for inspiration, it's always shocking to find out how much your kitchen allowance is and what it includes. (No, that quartz waterfall island isn't standard) And if you are in Canada, you can pretty much triple any of those prices you see on HGTV, lol!
So where should you spend the money? My favourite upgrades are bringing the upper cabinets up to the ceiling and definitely upgrading the counter tops! If you are handy, skip the tile backsplash and DIY once you take possession, or go for a classic subway tile instead of anything too trendy and you can save a lot! . Door hardware can add up very quickly, consider getting a standard selection and switching it out yourself later if you need to cut costs. When we built our last kitchen, the cabinet maker was able to spray the cabinets using ANY Benjamin Moore paint colour. We went with Chalk White but it would be easy to have some fun with colour for no extra money!
If your builder doesn't include appliances, or if you are wanting something a little more high end be sure to go shopping and make all of your selections BEFORE you finalize the kitchen plans! The cabinet maker will require the measurements and you will also have time to run water line to the fridge or a gas line to the stove etc.
5 - Structural
No one likes to spend money on things you can't see but sometimes it is necessary! In Regina's gumbo soil, piles are always a smart idea! A walkout basement will cost more than a standard basement so keep that in mind when selecting a lot. Other structural upgrades we have added over the years include steel beams to reduce teleposts, 9 ft ceilings on all floors (including the basement), open web trusses in the basement and extra insulation. 8 ft interior doors and transom windows can also add to the grandeur of the house for a minimal expense.
6 - Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is ALWAYS worth the money at the time of the build! Anyone that we have talked to who built new and wanted to add air conditioning later always regretted not having it done up front!
7 - Other Cosmetic Finishes
During the blueprint stages of your build be sure to plan for any extra electrical outlets that you will need. I love my USB charging ports wired in, my husband likes planning for home theatre. Do you require a land line in your home office? Do you want a switch inside for your Christmas lights?
A major pet peeve of my husband is cheap plastic floor vents! If you are upgrading to a hardwood floor inquire about other options for floor vents. I recently came across the ARIA floor vents and they are beautiful, I wish I saw them before we built our last house!
Extra paint colours may be an upgrade which is a good thing to keep in mind before you start picking out the finishes. In the past we've both paid for extra paint colours and also gone with the standard 2 colours, slowly changed them out over time.
Interior doors and door hardware can make a huge impact on your overall design and feel to the house (more on that next time!). In the past the builders we have used have an option of 4-5 door styles that all fit within your allowance as well as an option for a door knob or lever. When you have to pay to upgrade each door handle it can add up really quickly so this is a great place to stick to the standard choices!
Ultimately, you are the one building and living in the house! This may be a once in a lifetime experience and you should make it your own. Don't be afraid to spend some money on upgrades to get exactly what you want. At the same time I would also recommend not stretching yourself so thin that it starts causing unneeded stress and fights, building a home should be (and is) FUN!
To cap it off if I could only pick 1 upgrade to my home what would it be? Air Conditioning!! What is your must have home upgrade? Chime in on my latest Instagram post!
I'll be touching more on the millwork upgrades and adding character to your new build in my next post so stay tuned!
