Sometimes it pay's to question the costs for upgrades in new construction sales. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with reputable builders making a profit on the upgrades in a new home, for many of the choices one makes must be completed before the new owners can take occupancy, and the convenience of having it all done before you move in is hard for some to pass up. But, for those willing to do a little legwork, the savings can be substantial.
Take for instance my friend "Jim" not his real name, he purchased a home recently, and was quoted for travertine flooring from the builder, an upgrade of almost $30,000. He did a little shopping through the local contractors and was able to secure the same flooring for just shy of $18,000. In order to satisfy the completion requirements of the county he had the builders seal the concrete floor to get it approved then brought in his contractor after occupancy saving $12,000 in the process.
This example can be applied for many of the other upgrades that are a part of the Pre-Construction process. A word of caution, some builders may have policy's that void warranties if other third parties modify the structure in any way, especially during the first year. It would be wise to read their policy carefully before employing the services of others. It is also smart to check out the Contractors that will be doing the work for their Licencing and bonding to insure you are getting a reputable Contractor. Beware of Contractors requesting the entire fee up front. Some states limit the amount of deposit that a Contractor may take in advance.
Getting the basic builder package and then later putting in all the upgrades, can prove to be a huge cost savings if you can live with the inconvenience of not getting it all done before you move in, and a little dust.
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