TL;DR
Get cleaning gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A House Beautiful report outlines expert advice on where new-home builders may want to spend more and where they can defer costs. Designers recommend prioritizing layouts, windows, flooring and exterior materials, while considering later upgrades for fixtures, appliances and bonus rooms.
A House Beautiful report featuring advice from interior designer Shandon Barrett and home designer Tammy Crosby recommends that people building a house prioritize features that are difficult or expensive to change later, including room layouts, windows, flooring and exterior materials. The experts suggest saving on more replaceable items such as decorative fixtures, appliances and paint, allowing homeowners to spread costs over time.
Crosby, CEO of The House Designers, says builders should settle on kitchen and bathroom layouts early because moving water or gas lines later can require cutting floor joists or breaking concrete slabs. She also recommends considering plumbing rough-ins during construction for possible future additions, such as a basement bathroom, outdoor kitchen or ice maker, even if the fixtures will not be installed right away.
Window and door choices also warrant early planning, according to the report. Changing window sizes later can involve removing siding, altering framing and repairing interior drywall. Crosby recommends considering larger or additional windows in areas such as living rooms and stairwells, and says double- or triple-pane low-emissivity glass may reduce energy bills over the life of a home. The report does not provide cost estimates or independent energy-savings data.
For flooring, Crosby favors choosing tile locations before construction and considering continuous hard-surface flooring in main areas. Although flooring can be replaced, removing it across a large home may also involve taking out trim and baseboards. She describes roofing and siding as other areas where spending more upfront on durable, high-performance options can help avoid costly future work. The report does not name particular products or quantify potential savings.
Spend Early on Hard-to-Change Work
The advice centers on a practical budgeting distinction: some choices are comparatively disruptive to alter after a home is finished, while others can be changed room by room. Planning layouts, utility locations, openings and exterior protection before construction is complete may reduce the need for demolition or extensive labor later. These decisions can also shape how the home functions day to day.
By contrast, Barrett says decorative lighting, plumbing fixtures and cabinet pulls can often be upgraded without a major renovation, provided the underlying electrical and plumbing plans support the future choices. Deferring those purchases may give a household more flexibility during construction, but it does not mean every lower-cost option will suit every project. Budgets, local labor costs and individual needs vary.
The distinction matters for buyers working within a fixed construction budget: it gives them a framework for discussing timing and trade-offs with their builder. It is guidance from two industry professionals as reported by House Beautiful, not a cost comparison or guarantee that a particular upgrade will pay for itself.
energy-efficient double-pane low-emissivity windows
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Planning Choices Before Construction
The report’s central recommendation is to make decisions about work tied to a home’s structure and utilities before those areas are built or enclosed. Changes to windows, doors, plumbing routes and finished floors can affect several components at once, which may make later work more involved than swapping a surface finish.
For items that can be replaced independently, the experts describe a staged approach. Barrett says builders can use simpler fixtures initially, while Crosby advises selecting standard appliances or reusing existing ones if the openings and utility hookups are compatible with future models. Crosby also suggests using a single neutral wall color and postponing custom paint, wallpaper, trim and other decorative finishes. A framed bonus room can likewise remain unfinished until a household needs the space or can afford to complete it.
“It’s not about spending the most money; it’s about spending it in the right places.”
— Shandon Barrett, interior designer at Love vs. Design
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Costs and Savings Are Unquantified
The report offers professional recommendations but does not supply project budgets, product comparisons, regional labor rates or calculations showing how much any upgrade might save. Crosby’s statements about lower energy bills and long-term savings are attributed expert claims; the material provided does not independently measure those outcomes.
Whether a feature is worth paying for upfront will depend on the home’s design, climate, local building requirements, construction costs and the homeowner’s plans. The report also does not specify which materials or appliance models builders should select. Readers should confirm design choices, utility provisions and costs with their builder and relevant professionals.
hardwood flooring for living rooms
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Set Priorities With Your Builder
The report does not announce a new construction standard or scheduled policy change. For people planning a build, the next step is to ask the builder which decisions must be made before framing, plumbing, electrical work and finishes are installed, and which upgrades can be delayed without creating compatibility problems.
Homeowners can also request itemized estimates for proposed upgrades and confirm that future appliances will fit planned openings and hookups. For deferred rooms or finishes, they should clarify what work will be completed now and what would be needed to make the space usable later. Those project-specific details are not addressed in the report.
plumbing rough-in kits for future bathroom
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Which new-home features do the experts recommend prioritizing?
The report highlights layouts, plumbing rough-ins, windows and doors, flooring, roofing and siding as choices worth planning early because changing them later can involve extensive labor or disruption.
What can homeowners consider postponing?
Barrett and Crosby identify decorative fixtures, appliances, custom wall finishes, accessories and bonus-room finishing as areas where homeowners may be able to use simpler options or delay spending. Compatibility and the planned use of each space still matter.
Should plumbing be installed for future rooms during construction?
Crosby recommends considering plumbing rough-ins for likely future needs, such as a basement bathroom or outdoor kitchen. The report does not give a cost estimate, so homeowners should compare the upfront expense with the expected cost and feasibility of adding plumbing later.
Does the report show how much homeowners can save?
No. The supplied report contains expert recommendations but does not provide specific prices, savings calculations or independent data. Potential costs and benefits will vary by project and location.
Source: rss
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
