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New Construction
A recent Zillow survey found that 75% of home buyers have at least one regret about their home purchase — and expensive upgrades top the list. Walk into any model home and it's hard not to get swept up: pristine floors, perfect lighting, a kitchen that looks straight out of a magazine. But here's the truth: many of those upgrades carry massive markups, and some simply aren't worth the cost.
Having helped countless clients navigate the new construction process here in the Austin area, I've seen the same mistakes repeated. This guide breaks down the upgrades homeowners regret most, explains why they don't deliver on their promises, and shows you smarter alternatives — including the upgrades that genuinely are worth every penny.
In Texas — especially in the Austin area where outdoor living is practically a way of life — an outdoor kitchen sounds like a no-brainer. And honestly, I love mine. But Builder-installed outdoor kitchens are one of the worst-valued upgrades you can buy right now.
Builders typically mark up outdoor kitchen costs by 15 to 30%. A kitchen that should run $20,000–$25,000 can easily hit $30,000 or more when installed through your builder.
The smarter move: Have your builder run the gas lines, rough-in sink plumbing, and electrical hookups for your patio. That's the prep work — and it's worth doing during construction when walls are open. Then, after closing, hire a specialized outdoor kitchen contractor, shop around for appliances, and get exactly what you want at a fraction of the markup.
Lighting transforms a space. It can make a room feel warm and inviting or cold and uninspiring. But Builder-installed light fixtures are routinely marked up 30 to 50% — and despite those prices, the selections are often basic, outdated, or just not your style.
The real problem: many homeowners end up replacing Builder-grade fixtures within the first year. That means paying twice — once at the builder's inflated price, and again when you swap them out for what you actually wanted.
The smarter move: Accept the standard lighting package that comes with the base price of your home. Yes, they're basic — I won't pretend otherwise. But they work, and they give you a starting point. Then upgrade on your own timeline using Wayfair, Home Depot, or a specialty lighting showroom. The savings are significant, and hiring an electrician after closing is almost always cheaper than the builder's upgrade price.
One important exception: Recessed lighting is worth having the builder install. It's a project you really don't want to tackle after your furniture is in and your walls are finished. Same goes for pre-wired sconces — map out your floor plan ahead of time and identify key locations like the owner's retreat, guest room, hallway, or art installations, and have those areas pre-wired during construction.
The moment you get your keys, you're living in a fishbowl. Builders know this. They charge two to three times the retail price for window treatments, betting that the lack of privacy will push you to pay up fast.
Most Builder-installed blinds are cheap and flimsy. Many homeowners replace them within a year — again, paying twice.
The smarter move: Skip the Builder window treatment package entirely. Pick up temporary paper blinds (about $5 a window) for immediate privacy, and then take your time choosing motorized shades, energy-efficient cellular blinds, or lined drapery that actually performs.
One note specific to central Texas: blinds are not standard in most Builder contracts in this market. They can sometimes be negotiated, particularly on inventory homes — homes already under construction or nearing completion — so it's worth asking at the beginning of your contract.
Flooring is one of the biggest design decisions in a home and one of the easiest to regret. Trends shift fast. Gray wood-tone planks — once everywhere — are already feeling dated as the market moves toward warmer tones. Glossy white tile looks stunning in photos and highlights every speck of dust in real life.
One of my clients chose bamboo flooring because it was marketed as a premium, eco-friendly option. Within weeks, they were devastated. Bamboo sounds durable, but it's actually a softer wood — a dropped fork, a chair scrape, heels clicking across the floor — all left marks. Their brand-new floors looked years old almost immediately.
The smarter move: Choose timeless, durable materials over whatever's trending. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP), classic oak or maple hardwood, and tile are all strong choices that hold up over time and don't go out of style. Since flooring is one of the hardest things to change after the fact, getting it right the first time saves serious money and frustration.
In kitchens and bathrooms specifically: Keep things as neutral and classic as possible. Hot pink tile, dramatic dark countertops that show every fingerprint, eccentric backsplash choices — these may feel exciting now but can limit your home's appeal when it comes time to sell. Design in a way that expresses your personality through decor that can be removed, while keeping the bones of the space universally appealing.
With more people working from home, a built-in desk sounds like a great idea — until you realize you're locked into that layout forever. Want to rearrange? Too bad. Need more flexibility? Not happening. And when it's time to sell, future buyers may not want it either.
The smarter move: Invest in a high-quality freestanding desk that fits your space and moves with you. You get flexibility to adapt as your needs change without being permanently committed to a workspace you might outgrow in five years.
Automated lighting, built-in security systems, smart thermostats — it all sounds like the ultimate upgrade. The problem is that Builder-installed smart home packages tend to go outdated fast. Many rely on proprietary technology that's difficult to upgrade, hard to customize, and sometimes completely unusable if the manufacturer discontinues support.
According to research from PG, smart home devices can become obsolete when manufacturers phase out older models — leaving homeowners with expensive systems that no longer function.
The smarter move: Skip the Builder smart home package. Instead, buy standalone smart devices from established brands like Google Nest or Ring. These are designed for long-term compatibility, receive updates as technology evolves, and don't require ripping out an entire system just to make a simple upgrade. You stay in control and avoid being locked into yesterday's tech.
Builder landscaping is, in my opinion, a straightforward waste of money. If you want a yard that actually works for your space and your climate, visit a local nursery instead. They know which plants are native to your area, can guide you on placement and maintenance, and typically offer better pricing because they buy in bulk. You'll get more for your money and a yard that actually thrives.
Not every Builder upgrade is a ripoff. Some are genuinely worth doing during construction because they're expensive, disruptive, or downright painful to add after the fact. If you're going to invest anywhere, focus here.
Running short on outlets exactly where you need them is one of the most common and most annoying post-move discoveries. Adding an outlet during construction costs around $229 on average. After move-in, you're looking at higher electrician fees plus drywall repair costs.
Plan ahead and add outlets where you'll actually use them:
If there's even a chance you'll want a gas stove, outdoor grill, or gas fireplace — install the lines now. Running gas lines during construction typically costs $598–$900 depending on complexity. Cutting into finished walls after the fact can easily double or triple that cost.
Insulation isn't glamorous, but it pays off over time. Better insulation keeps your home cooler in Texas summers and warmer in winter, and it significantly reduces energy bills. It also helps with noise reduction — a real benefit if you're building out a media room or have loud kids (no amount of insulation fully solves that last one, I can confirm from personal experience).
The upfront cost is a few thousand dollars, but it pays for itself over time through lower heating and cooling bills.
If you're thinking about surround sound, a home security system, or robust networking for a home office, have your builder pre-wire everything before the drywall goes up. A full-house wiring job during construction typically runs around $1,300 — significantly less than opening up finished walls later.
When it comes to new construction upgrades, one rule covers most situations: if it involves wiring, electrical, or gas lines — do it during the build. These are expensive and disruptive to add later, and the builder's price is genuinely competitive for this category.
For cosmetic upgrades — lighting, flooring choices, outdoor kitchens, window treatments — either wait until after closing or carefully evaluate whether you're paying a justified premium or just a builder markup.
Here's the quick recap:
Upgrade Verdict Outdoor kitchens Wait — pre-run utilities, hire a contractor after closing Light fixtures Skip — upgrade after move-in Window treatments Skip — buy retail after closing Trendy flooring Choose classic and durable from the start Built-in workspaces Skip — buy freestanding furniture Smart home packages Skip — buy standalone devices Landscaping Skip — visit a local nursery instead Extra outlets Do it now Gas line extensions Do it now Upgraded insulation Do it now Pre-wiring for tech Do it nowThe goal isn't to avoid all upgrades — it's to spend where it actually counts and save everywhere else.
Expert in: New Construction
Austin real estate expert helping families find their perfect home in the Texas Hill Country.
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Angie Ufomata
Real Estate Expert
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