New home construction - include paint? (paint color, dining room, price, code)

[monack]

Hi folks -
We are in the process of getting a home that is a new construction.The home is already built, and we are going to the design center on Wednesday to pick stuff out.

I am curious to know if basic builds generally come with the walls already painted, or if that is something we will have to pay extra for...

Thanks for any insight you might have

[Barking Spider]

Obviously your mileage might differ, but every new home I have seen was painted. The basic building code covers painting, but builders can work out just about anything they want with potential buyers until it is fully signed off.

[sgresident]

Usually, you will just get the "builder paint" typically white or off-white that they have just sprayed on. it is a flat paint, gets really dirty etc. You might want to consider having a real paint job done before you move in, if you can afford it. It will make your life easier; of course, if money is an issue, you can usually live with the builder paint for quite a while depending on if you have kids or not!

[CAKD]

Originally Posted by monack

Hi folks -
We are in the process of getting a home that is a new construction.The home is already built, and we are going to the design center on Wednesday to pick stuff out.

I am curious to know if basic builds generally come with the walls already painted, or if that is something we will have to pay extra for...

Thanks for any insight you might have

It really depends on a couple things. One what state you live in and two what builder you use. Generally the entire home is painted in builder white (sometimes beige or one neutral tone). Some builders will let you pick out a paint color for the formal dining room. Most national builders (chain builders) do not include paint choices. Most custom builders do.

[monack]

Great information. Thanks folks

[the painter]

Most custom builders normally will let you pick 3 colors of your choice, dark colors they will charge more, added colors are also extra. Track builders may let you choose a color from their 3-4 choices, and yes they will be shades of white or beige. Our custom builders use high quality paint and the others use builders grade. The initial paint job is included in the price.

[BagongBuhay]

In hindsight, I would suggest waiting for a year or so before painting over the builder's paint. We did just that and when it was time for the one year walk through, they would not fix nail-pops over something you painted, and they will be there. In about a year and a half, the house would have settled enough that nail pops won't be too evident even if they did not appear until after the walk-through.

[ShannonMilligan]

I was just about to write the same thing as bibit...Nail pops. We were told to wait a year to paint as they would come and fix nail pops, but then we would be left with touching up the nice new paint. We waited the year and then painted. I know how exciting it is to get in and have it the way you like it, but I think you will be much better off to wait a year, have them come fix the nail pops, and then paint. Good luck

[littlelou]

and fwiw..... builders may not paint the garage....one I talked to said it would be $ 900.00 just to put 1 coat on the interior garage walls. I almost lost it!!!

[d4g4m]

Nails popping? I didn't know that there are areas of the U.S. where dry wall installers are still using nails.