Where To Splurge (And Save) When Building A New House, According To Experts

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A House Beautiful report quotes home-design experts recommending that new-home budgets prioritize features that are costly or disruptive to change later, including plumbing layouts, windows, flooring and exterior materials. They suggest saving on replaceable items such as decorative fixtures, appliances, paint and unfinished bonus spaces. The advice is expert guidance, not a cost comparison or guarantee of savings.

Homeowners building a new house can reduce the risk of expensive future renovations by prioritizing decisions that are difficult to change after construction, according to experts quoted by House Beautiful. Their recommendations include planning plumbing and room layouts early, investing in windows and durable exterior materials, and postponing decorative or easily replaced upgrades when budgets are tight.

The advice centers on the cost and disruption of retrofits. Tammy Crosby, CEO of The House Designers, says moving water or gas lines can involve breaking concrete slabs or cutting floor joists. She recommends deciding on kitchen and bathroom layouts early and considering plumbing rough-ins for possible future needs, such as a basement bathroom, outdoor kitchen or ice maker, even if fixtures are not installed immediately.

Windows, doors and flooring also warrant early decisions, Crosby says. Changing window sizes later can require removing siding, altering wall framing and repairing drywall. She recommends considering larger or additional windows where more daylight is wanted, as well as double- or triple-pane low-emissivity glass; she says those windows can reduce energy bills over the life of a home. The report does not provide a specific savings estimate.

Crosby also advises choosing flooring plans before construction is complete, particularly for connected main living areas. Replacing finished flooring can mean removing trim and baseboards as well as the floor itself. She describes a resilient exterior as another area for upfront investment because siding and roofing protect the structure and can be labor-intensive to replace. These are professional recommendations, not a project-specific budget or guarantee of future returns.

Spend Early on Hard-to-Change Work

The guidance matters because a lower upfront price is not always the lowest-cost choice over the life of a house. Work hidden in walls, floors or the building envelope can be much more disruptive to alter than a visible fixture or paint color. Planning those elements before construction may help homeowners avoid paying for demolition, repairs and replacement labor later.

It also offers a way to manage a limited construction budget without treating every upgrade as mandatory. Shandon Barrett, an interior designer at Love vs. Design, says the goal is not simply to spend more, but to direct spending toward permanent finishes, craftsmanship and everyday essentials. Deferring less essential choices can leave homeowners room to finish spaces and personalize the house over time.

The trade-off is that the recommendations cannot determine the right priorities for every household. Climate, site conditions, energy prices, construction bids and personal needs affect whether a particular upgrade is worth its cost. Homeowners should compare options with their builder and relevant design or building professionals.

Which Upgrades Can Wait

House Beautiful’s report separates major construction decisions from upgrades that are generally easier to replace. Barrett says decorative lighting can be changed later if the electrical work is planned correctly. Crosby likewise says homeowners may choose standard fixtures or cabinet pulls initially, since these items can be swapped without a major renovation.

The report says appliances typically have an expected 10- to 15-year lifespan, making them a possible area to defer spending. Crosby advises checking that cabinet openings and utility connections will accommodate the appliances a homeowner may want later. She also suggests using one neutral wall color during construction and adding custom paint, wallpaper, trim or accent walls gradually.

Rugs, pillows and other decorative accessories are presented as flexible purchases. For a bonus room, Crosby says homeowners may be able to frame the space and leave insulation, drywall and flooring until their budget or needs change. Whether that approach is practical depends on the house design, local requirements and the builder’s plan; the report does not set out technical or permitting guidance.

““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, quoted by House Beautiful

Costs Depend on the Project

The report offers expert recommendations rather than a cost study. It does not give construction prices, quantify how much homeowners might save, or compare specific products. Crosby’s statement that low-E windows can save thousands over a home’s life is not accompanied by assumptions about climate, utility rates, window prices or the comparison product.

It is also unclear which recommendations will pay off for a particular home. Local weather, site conditions, energy costs, labor rates, product quality and how long owners plan to stay can change the calculation. The report does not address local building codes, permit requirements or whether a builder can defer particular parts of a bonus room under a given contract.

Set Priorities Before Construction

For people planning a build, the practical next step is to review the floor plan and specifications with the builder before work begins. Confirm the locations of plumbing, electrical connections, windows, doors and appliance openings, and ask for written pricing on upgrades and alternatives. Homeowners can then compare the upfront cost with the disruption or work involved in changing an item later.

Choices that can be changed gradually—such as paint, decorative lighting, hardware and accessories—may be candidates for a later budget, while structural and exterior decisions warrant early discussion. The report does not announce a new construction program or policy; it provides guidance for individual projects, whose costs and schedules will depend on their plans and contracts.

Key Questions

Which parts of a new house does the report recommend prioritizing?

The experts quoted by House Beautiful emphasize layouts and plumbing rough-ins, windows and doors, main-area flooring, and durable exterior materials, because changes after construction can involve substantial labor or demolition.

What upgrades might homeowners be able to delay?

The report identifies decorative fixtures and hardware, custom paint and trim, accessories, some appliance upgrades and finishing a bonus room as possible areas to defer. Feasibility depends on the house plan and builder arrangements.

Does the report say how much homeowners will save?

No. It gives no budget totals or quantified comparison. Crosby says high-performance windows may reduce energy bills over time, but the report does not provide the assumptions or figures needed to estimate savings for a specific home.

Can appliances be installed later?

The report says homeowners may choose a standard appliance package or reuse existing appliances, then upgrade later. Crosby advises making sure the openings and utility hookups will fit the intended appliances.

Should every bonus room be left unfinished?

No. The report presents postponing insulation, drywall and flooring as an option when a plan includes a bonus space and the homeowner wants to spread costs over time. The right approach depends on the design, contract, intended use and applicable requirements.

Source: rss