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Old 04-25-2012, 10:24 AM
 
1,944 posts, read 3,306,335 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nj_dude View Post
I have bought a new home from a builder and am in the process of selecting my upgrades and I see that the prices for most of the upgrades are skyrocketing. I have been looking online for advice from people who have been through this process.

What I would like to know is for the list of mandatory upgrades that I should go with the builder which I cannot do later. Also the list of upgrades which I can do later with an independent contractor.

Below are few which I have already agreed upon to be done with the builder.
  1. Stone front - 7k
  2. Additional stone by the garade - 4k
  3. Increase basement height from 8 to 9feet - 7k
  4. Rough plumbing for future bath in the basement - 3k
  5. Oak tread Pine Risers (stairs ) - $2,100
  6. 2 Zone heat & A/c - $4,425.
I have an appointment scheduled to select my interiors and the rest of the home. Am in a confused situation whether to go for all the standard which the builder provides for now and later hire a contractor to redo the job for a much lower price. If I opt for this choice, what are the mandatory things that I should go with the builder.

Below are list of upgrades with pricing provided by the builder which I have selected for the kitchen randomly for comparison purpose and the below list is not yet finalized.

  • cabinets - $5500
  • crown moulding - $965
  • rope - $800
  • rollout shelf - $100
  • lazy susan - $325
  • wine rack - $425
  • clear glass door - $435
  • 4 drawer base - $370
  • trash pull out - $315
  • dishwasher front pnl - $315
  • false door - $2000
  • kitchen full bksplash - $2000
  • countertop granite - $5000
  • dishwasher ug 7 - $880
  • microwave - $500
  • range - $1185
  • soap dispenser - $90
  • kitchen faucet - $500
  • sink deep 9" double undermount - $1205
  • kitchen tile - $2500
  • tile diagnol - $600
Please advice me.
the cosmetic things are easy upgrade later. I would get the stuff done that is very hard to add later. For example, recessed lighting. You want that everywhere and a recirculating hot water line so you never have to wait for hot water. Crown molding can be installed later. Recessed lighting is PIA to add after the fact.
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Old 04-25-2012, 10:34 AM
 
28 posts, read 211,451 times
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Bellhead,
Am thinking handscrapped walnut Java or African Mahogany when I checked out at HD. Ill surely take a look at lumber liquidators. 22k for the flooring is quite pricey
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Old 04-25-2012, 10:37 AM
 
28 posts, read 211,451 times
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Miamilife,
Thats exactly what am trying to do here. Get a list of the cosmetic stuff that can be done later. And a list of need to do items.
Thanks for the list.
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Old 04-25-2012, 11:55 AM
 
4,120 posts, read 6,591,724 times
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Take NJ_Dude's advice on recessed lighting....4 lights per room, every 6 feet in hallways. I had 44 recessed lights installed in my current home. Get all you can on dimmers too. Also have all rooms prewired for ceiling fans. I live in the south now and they are almost mandatory due to the heat. But I can set the AC at 80 and it feels like 77, definitely keeps the room cooler.

Also for floors, don't get engineered, make sure it's 3/4 inch nail down, like in the old days. There's a reason it lasts.
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Old 04-25-2012, 02:49 PM
 
28 posts, read 211,451 times
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Thanks.
I have noted the recess lighting.

Whats your input on the below.

Attic fan w/ thermostat - 415$
Electronic air cleaner - $945
Humidifier w/ humidistat - $685
200 Amp service - $490
Decora switch package - $650
2 Recessed Hi-Hats w/ switch - $360 / eyeballs - $400
4 recessed Hi-Hats w/ switch - $660 / eyeballs - $740
6 recessed hi-hats w/ switch - $960 / eyeballs - $1080
multimedia tap - 250
phone tap - 150
data tap - 100
component a/v cable - 475
home theatre - 1750
home theatre prewire - 450
4 room speaker - 3000
4 room speaker prewire - 1250
Home mngmnt lighting control pkg - 3430
exterior lights - 650
Hifi system w4 zones 4 sources - 2470
hifi system w8 zones 6 sources - 4550
invisible audio transducers - 2470
camera system 2 cameras - 3870
central vacuum system - 2050
delux securiy package - 1400
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Old 04-25-2012, 03:18 PM
 
605 posts, read 2,143,322 times
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Personally, I think you are getting nickeled and dimed. Are there other homes in the community? What do they have and what was the final sale price?
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Old 04-25-2012, 03:42 PM
 
4,120 posts, read 6,591,724 times
Reputation: 2289
Quote:
Originally Posted by nj_dude View Post
Thanks.
I have noted the recess lighting.

Whats your input on the below.

Attic fan w/ thermostat - 415$

I'd do this...
Electronic air cleaner - $945

Add later...1/3 the cost

Humidifier w/ humidistat - $685

Same...
200 Amp service - $490

Should be standard with that size of house...Also 2 panels..Ask about this.

Decora switch package - $650

????
2 Recessed Hi-Hats w/ switch - $360 / eyeballs - $400
4 recessed Hi-Hats w/ switch - $660 / eyeballs - $740
6 recessed hi-hats w/ switch - $960 / eyeballs - $1080

multimedia tap - 250
phone tap - 150
data tap - 100
component a/v cable - 475

home theatre - 1750
I'd skip this..
home theatre prewire - 450
Ask about this cause once the drywall is up it's up.

4 room speaker - 3000
Way too expensive..

4 room speaker prewire - 1250
Way too expensive..

Home mngmnt lighting control pkg - 3430
He's nuts right?

exterior lights - 650
How many???Ask how much to add electrical outside for lighting..

Hifi system w4 zones 4 sources - 2470
hifi system w8 zones 6 sources - 4550
invisible audio transducers - 2470
Can't justify this..You'll never get your money back...

camera system 2 cameras - 3870
yes right...
Amazon.com: Lorex LIVE SD9 Wireless Digital Security System - LW2902: Camera & Photo
Check this out..

central vacuum system - 2050
Way too much...
delux securiy package - 1400
alot for what they want..
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Old 04-25-2012, 06:00 PM
 
28 posts, read 211,451 times
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Magic78
All the homes in the community are over 550k.

Bellhead,
Thanks for the notes.
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Old 04-25-2012, 06:50 PM
 
605 posts, read 2,143,322 times
Reputation: 456
I looked up the development. Houses look nice. Congrats.

Is $550,000 considered $$$ in that area? $550,000 doesn't get you too much in my area, Livingston. The reason why I am asking is to see if granite, tile, hardwood, etc. would be expected for that price point. $550,000 in Livingston will get you a decent condo or a 60's split level in a good school district that needs lots of work.

Which floor plan are you buying?
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Old 04-26-2012, 07:28 AM
 
4,120 posts, read 6,591,724 times
Reputation: 2289
Can you post a link to the houses and your model...

Also one of my perks/detriments when I started working for a telco was I have been in several thousand houses, from the projects to a couple 10 million $ houses, both new construction, and one an absolute gem, a 19th century 3 story, 1 limestone mansion in the old jewish quarter in Cincinnati, house was over 10k sq ft, and inside it was stunning. A gay couple was restoring it, I spent 2 days there working on wiring in cat 5 and installing a partner pbx system.
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