What options are a MUST in a new build Irvine home?

NEW -> Contingent Buyer Assistance Program
**Updated List of Things to do in a New Build**

List for Upgrades:
* All necessary electrical
* Insulation House ($1,700)
* Insulation Garage ($360)

* Should I do so Solid Core Doors?  (Is that for sound purposes? $1,245)

* Kitchen Standard Thermafoil White Shaker Cabinets (Is that too standard?)
* Kitchen Countertop upgrades (Caesarstone)
* Kitchen Backsplash
* Kitchen Sink Stainless Steel Rectangle $1,200-$2,000, looks very modern)
* Wood/Wood Tile Flooring (What is better for resale?)
* Upgraded Carpeted Stairs (adds $4k if you wanted wood on stairs)


* Slight upgrade to secondary bathroom/tub
* Master Bath Upgrade to countertop (Caesarstone/EStone/Piedrafina?)
* Tub Deck Upgrade (Match Countertop?)
* Shower Enclosure Upgrade (should I take the Clear Glass $1,365, looks cleaner than the standard framed chrome)
* Shower Tile Upgrade
* Should I frame the mirrors in Master Bath? ($400 to $600)

**Option for Bi-Folding Glass Doors (similar to La Cantina) to backyard ($8,000) but when open, looks super nice! **

This is a summary of everyone's opinions...hopefully, I'm not missing anything...


 
I wish I did solid core doors for sound proofing.  The privacy door between the master and the bath for one.  My wife and I get up at different times so when trying to keep quiet in the morning it isn't that effective.

Also my daughter is an extremely light sleeper so when we finally get her down for the night, if we make too much noise she'll hear it pretty clearly.  And we can hear it through the baby monitor.

But if you're saying the upgrade costs are now $1245 i might just deal with the thinner doors.
 
IMO, the only thing that's a must thru the builder is anything structural, electrical or plumbing.  The cost and time to do anything that's related to those 3 aspects is usually prohibitive.

Everything else is personal preference.  You will almost always pay a little to a lot more going through the builder.  Comes down to turn key convenience vs saving money.  It's really that simple.  Since most of us don't grow money on trees, there will always be compromises or else all of us would just upgrade the heck out of the house.

FWIW, these are the things I would probably upgrade and only my personal opinion.

1.  Appliances if I liked the upgraded set better.
2.  Flooring if it was in the ballpark vs going outside after COE. 
3.  Kitchen and bathroom countertops
4.  Shower tiles
5.  Cabinetry
6.  Upgraded HVAC

I consider insulation, sinks, bifold doors, recesses lighting, extra outlets, ceiling fan receptacles all part of structural, electrical and plumbing and if I wanted to upgrade those items, I would def do it thru the builder.

These I would def do after COE.

1.  Landscaping/hardscaping
2.  Window treatments
3.  Closet organizers
4.  Garage epoxy/storage

Everything else falls under personal taste.  I prob forgot some stuff, but that's what I can come up with off the top of my head.
 
So you pay property tax on your upgrade credits?  Seems better to just get no upgrades, and have an aftermarket guy do it.  That way your property tax is a little bit lower.

Like someone said above, $50,000 of upgrdes @1.5% tax = $750/year indefinitely.
 
FranchisePlr said:
**Updated List of Things to do in a New Build**

List for Upgrades:
* All necessary electrical
* Insulation House ($1,700)
* Insulation Garage ($360)

* Should I do so Solid Core Doors?  (Is that for sound purposes? $1,245)

* Kitchen Standard Thermafoil White Shaker Cabinets (Is that too standard?)
* Kitchen Countertop upgrades (Caesarstone)
* Kitchen Backsplash
* Kitchen Sink Stainless Steel Rectangle $1,200-$2,000, looks very modern)
* Wood/Wood Tile Flooring (What is better for resale?)
* Upgraded Carpeted Stairs (adds $4k if you wanted wood on stairs)


* Slight upgrade to secondary bathroom/tub
* Master Bath Upgrade to countertop (Caesarstone/EStone/Piedrafina?)
* Tub Deck Upgrade (Match Countertop?)
* Shower Enclosure Upgrade (should I take the Clear Glass $1,365, looks cleaner than the standard framed chrome)
* Shower Tile Upgrade
* Should I frame the mirrors in Master Bath? ($400 to $600)

**Option for Bi-Folding Glass Doors (similar to La Cantina) to backyard ($8,000) but when open, looks super nice! **

This is a summary of everyone's opinions...hopefully, I'm not missing anything...
Click to expand...

I would do all the shower stuff with the builder.  Probably the kitchen upgrades as well because I think pricing wise they're pretty good. 

Would not do flooring (non-bathroom) with the design center.  Get some good guys and they can get it done within a few days after closing for like 1/2 the price.  As for flooring choice, pick the one that you like...you're going to live in it.

We didn't get the door and it's fine.  You can always buy the door at HD and hire someone to hang it for you for like half the price.
 
zubs said:
So you pay property tax on your upgrade credits?  Seems better to just get no upgrades, and have an aftermarket guy do it.  That way your property tax is a little bit lower.

Like someone said above, $50,000 of upgrdes @1.5% tax = $750/year indefinitely.
Click to expand...

Yes but 1) it's not 1.5, it's 1.05 or so and 2) property taxes are tax deductible.  You're probably looking at a couple hundred dollars extra per year.
 
Ok so let me calculate the upgrades + property tax - mortgage interest deduction.

$50,000 in upgrades @ 1.05% property tax - 25% for mortgage interest deduction:
$50,000 X 0.0105 X 0.75 = $393.75

So on $50,000 of upgrades, the owner will pay around $393.75/year in property taxes indefinitely.

How is my math?
 
Is it safe to assume that approximately, 8-10% in price for upgrades and landscaping?  For 1 mil home, for upgrades on base price including outside work, $80,000 to $100,000 in upgrades to "keep up with the Jones" or in Irvine "keep up with the Lee's"....

I spoke with many builders and they said upgrades are priced into purchase price with no exceptions.

 
bones said:
qwerty said:
bones said:
And for the garage too?  I guess the dog would be happy.
Click to expand...

you keep your dog in the garage? the garage gets really hot in the summer.
Click to expand...

No we don't (he has his own area indoors) but sometimes like it as an option if we're having work done in the house or while we're getting it cleaned.  I have a yapper.
Click to expand...

i figured. didnt think anyone who buys expensive human grade dog food would keep their pup in the garage.
 
If you want to throw money at it, then yes, going through the design center is the easiest method.
You pay higher property taxes
You pay higher remodeling fees
But you have less stress.

If you want to save money, then you'll have to do the work & eat the stress much like anything in life.

 
zubs said:
If you want to throw money at it, then yes, going through the design center is the easiest method.
You pay higher property taxes
You pay higher remodeling fees
But you have less stress.

If you want to save money, then you'll have to do the work & eat the stress much like anything in life.
Click to expand...

The less stress part is also relative...the bulk of the issues for our place are builder related.
 
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