Levels of Finish and the Cost of Your Home

This week we are kicking off a new series to help people understand how the cost of building a home can be substantially impacted by the level of finishes you choose. What do we mean by ‘levels of finish’? These are the details you choose when finishing the interior and exterior of your home. For example, materials when choosing countertops can be luxury or standard. Design can be intricate or standard in elements like cabinetry, shelving, windows, doors, and many other finishes involved in customizing the finished product of your home. This series of blogs on ‘Levels of Finish’ aims at explaining specific details mentioned above that may not be common knowledge, so that we can arm you with the knowledge you need when you start the process of  building your home!

You will have many decisions to make when you begin planning your new build. The finishes you choose need to happen early and with knowledge that might not be commonly known. One example is the materials chosen for things such as countertops, doors, and cabinetry. These finishes can be high-end, mid-range, or standard. You can choose luxury materials in countertops such as quartz, marble, or granite. You can choose luxury vinyl tile, engineered hardwood, or you can choose hardwood flooring. The size and width of the material can vastly affect the cost. All of these incur significantly different costs. 

Windows are a common finish that can involve different options that heavily impact costs in ways the typical customer might now know and understand. Also, the placement and design of the windows on the exterior of the home will have a profound impact on cost. Making these decisions early, and with the right guidance, can help you stay within the budget you have chosen to build your home.

Customization in design complexity is a commonly known factor that impacts the cost of your build. Designs such as unique built-ins, custom moldings, unique layouts, as well as a wide array of other items, will require more customized craftsmanship and increased labor costs. 

Aesthetic versus functional features are facets that must be considered in the cost of your home. The more aesthetic the feature, the higher the cost. Examples such as custom lighting, smart home technology, energy efficient products, and premium appliances, are pieces of the home that will increase the cost, and also increase the value of the home. 

There are so many features involved in the finished exterior of your home. These are items that we will also discuss in this series. Examples are types of trim, siding material, intricacy of landscaping, type of paint, amount of concrete in your driveway, and so many other factors related to the exterior of your home. These add to the decisions you will have to make early, and each one directly relates to the increased, or decreased price of your finished home.

We look forward to being a resource to you in regards to the knowledge you have going into the journey of building your home. Whether you use Windsor Custom Homes or not to build your home, we are happy to help. Reach out to us at 470-WINDSOR, or visit our social media to stay uyp to date: linktr.ee/windsorcustomhomesga! We love this stuff!