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A new construction home includes only what the builder’s written specifications and purchase contract promise for that specific plan, lot, and community. There is no standard national package: appliances, finishes, landscaping, structural options, warranties, and closing costs can vary. Before comparing prices or signing, get the standard-features sheet, an itemized upgrade list, and a written cost breakdown—and check them against the contract.
What does the base price include?
The base price is a starting figure, not a universal definition of a finished home. Builders set their own standard packages, and offerings can vary by community and location. Compare the same plan, lot type, and community package rather than relying on headline prices alone. For example, KB Home says its prices vary by community and location, and its published base price excludes Design Studio upgrades and closing or financing costs. Its page was updated June 30, 2026; those terms describe that builder, not the market as a whole. KB Home pricing information.
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There is no reliable national average for what buyers typically pay in extras: packages and costs are builder-, community-, and transaction-specific. A lower advertised base price therefore does not by itself show that one home will cost less than another. The useful comparison is the written price for a specific home, plus the selections and other charges you expect to need.
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Structure, plan, and configuration
Confirm which plan and elevation the price covers, as well as the number and arrangement of rooms, garage configuration, and any structural choices. Ask whether the quoted configuration includes the features shown on the floor plan or model, or whether some are optional. Put the selected plan, lot, orientation, and agreed structural options in the written documents. A floor plan or model can help you understand the design, but it does not replace the specifications for the particular home being purchased.
Finishes and fixtures
Get exact descriptions of the standard countertops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures, and paint selections. “Included” may mean a particular material, style, or allowance—not every displayed choice. Larger cabinets, upgraded flooring, and different countertops are examples of selections that may cost extra. Ask for the price of each change and the deadline for making selections.
Ask the builder to identify the standard item and the upgrade price side by side, rather than relying on broad labels such as “premium” or “included.” This lets you see whether a displayed finish is an actual standard selection, an upgrade, or an allowance with selection rules. Request that your final selections and applicable prices be reflected in the written paperwork.
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Appliances
Ask for a list of included appliances by type and, when available, model. Do not assume a refrigerator, washer, or dryer is included because it appears in a model home or is shown in marketing. Lennar, for example, describes its “Everything’s Included” approach while noting that refrigerators, washers, and dryers vary by community. That is a company-specific example, not a promise that applies to every builder or location. Lennar’s community and home information.
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Appliance inclusion can vary even within a builder’s offering, so ask about the specific community and home rather than relying on a company slogan. If an appliance is included, ask the builder to identify it in the written package; if not, account for it separately in your comparison. Also ask for the appliance manufacturer’s warranty documents, since household appliances are usually not covered by the builder’s warranty.
What commonly costs extra?
Request a line-item breakdown. Some costs may be options or upgrades, while others relate to the lot, site work, warranty or deposit protection, or the transaction itself. The exact categories and amounts depend on the home and location; no single list or average applies to every new build. Separate the advertised base price from selections, site or landscaping scope, and closing or financing charges so you can see which costs belong to the home package and which arise elsewhere in the transaction.
| Cost area | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Upgrades and selections | Which displayed or requested features are upgrades? What is the itemized price, selection deadline, and any allowance or selection rule? Ask for the standard alternative as well as the cost of the option you want. |
| Lot and site work | Is there a lot premium? What grading, excavation, drainage, utility, or other site charges apply, and how are they described in the contract? Ask which charges are fixed and how any changes in cost will be handled. |
| Landscaping and exterior work | Is landscaping included, and what precisely will be installed or completed? Ask separately about other exterior work included in the specification. “Landscaping included” is not a detailed scope; get the promised work described in writing. |
| Warranty or deposit protection | What warranty or deposit protection is provided, by whom, and at what cost? Get the terms in writing. Clarify whether any separately offered home service contract is optional and carries an additional charge. |
| Closing and financing | What amount is expected at closing, and what financing-related charges are outside the advertised base price? Request an estimate for your transaction rather than assuming these costs are part of the builder’s base price. |
Alberta’s government guide identifies base price, upgrades, warranty, deposit insurance, landscaping, and the amount due at closing as costs to clarify in an agreement. This is useful as a cost-category checklist, but it is Alberta guidance—not a statement of U.S. law or a universal fee schedule. Government of Alberta home-buying guidance.
For U.S. buyers, the exact fees, taxes, protections, and closing practices depend on the transaction and jurisdiction. No universal amount applies to site charges, upgrades, or closing costs. Treat an estimate as specific to your proposed home and transaction, and ask the builder or other relevant transaction professionals to explain line items you do not recognize.
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How to compare builder quotes fairly
A lower advertised base price may not represent a lower-cost home if it excludes features or work another quote includes. Compare written packages on the same basis, and separate the home’s base price from choices and transaction costs. Use the same home type and desired options as the comparison baseline. Otherwise, a headline price can reflect a different plan, lot, finish package, or scope of work.
- Match the home being priced. Compare the same or closely equivalent plan, lot type, community package, and structural configuration. Ask whether the quoted price is for the lot you actually want, because lot terms and site charges may differ.
- Reconcile the standard package. Use each builder’s features sheet to compare exact finishes, fixtures, appliances, and structural options—not marketing labels such as “standard” or “included.” Mark model-home features that do not appear on the written sheet.
- Price the options you actually want. Add the itemized upgrades and check selection deadlines, allowances, and contract terms. If you are comparing packages, use the same desired selections for each quote, not just the same base-price figure.
- Compare the lot and site scope. Ask what site work and landscaping are included and what charges may change with the chosen lot. Get a description of the work and the terms for handling cost changes in writing.
- Review warranty terms side by side. Note the provider, covered components, duration, exclusions, and claim instructions. Compare the actual documents rather than assuming similarly named programs offer the same protection.
- Separate purchase and financing costs. Request an estimate of the amount due at closing and financing-related charges rather than treating them as part of the base price. Keep those costs visible as their own part of the budget.
- Confirm everything in the contract. Resolve differences between the quote, features sheet, upgrade selections, and purchase agreement before signing. Ask that the home model, plan, lot, orientation, selections, warranty, and payment schedule be documented.
A practical way to organize the comparison is to keep the builder’s base price, each selected upgrade, lot and site scope, landscaping, warranty or deposit-protection terms, and estimated closing and financing costs in separate lines. This does not predict what any particular home will cost; it makes omissions and differences in scope easier to spot. The purchase contract and its attachments should ultimately agree with the written quote and selections.
What does the builder’s warranty cover?
A builder warranty is not the same as an optional home service contract. The Federal Trade Commission says a home warranty is a service contract that costs extra. Builder warranties generally cover specified workmanship, materials, or systems, and coverage can differ by component. Household appliances are usually excluded from builder warranties, so review the builder’s actual warranty as well as manufacturer documents for appliances. FTC consumer advice on warranties.
Check the warranty documents for the covered items, coverage periods, exclusions, and instructions for reporting a problem. Do not rely on a general description of the builder’s program: Lennar, for example, says its described warranty coverage is subject to state and community variation. The contract and warranty that apply to your home are the documents that matter. Lennar warranty and home information.
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Keep the documents that identify who handles each issue. A builder warranty, an appliance manufacturer warranty, and an optional service contract are not interchangeable; their covered items and claim processes can differ. Read the relevant documents, note their time limits and exclusions, and follow the written instructions for submitting a covered claim.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to verify before signing and at the walk-through
Before signing, make sure the contract and its attachments identify the home and the agreed package clearly. Keep the feature sheet and upgrade selections alongside the purchase documents so you can check that the written promises match. If a quote, marketing description, or verbal explanation differs from the contract attachments, ask for clarification and written correction before signing rather than assuming the items are included.
- Request the standard-features sheet, upgrade menu, and itemized price for the exact home and lot.
- Mark model-home or marketing features that are not in the written package.
- List included appliances and confirm any refrigerator, washer, or dryer terms for the specific community.
- Describe landscaping and site work by scope, and clarify how any cost changes will be handled.
- Identify the plan, lot, orientation, structural options, upgrades, warranty, and payment schedule in writing.
- Obtain the builder warranty and relevant appliance or contractor warranty documents; note claim instructions.
At the final walk-through, compare the home with the agreed documents: check the selected features, completed work, and any required landscaping, and note items that need attention. Check that agreed features and work are installed and functional, and obtain plans and warranty documents relevant to the home and location. Miami-Dade County publishes a local new-home walk-through and document checklist; it is a helpful local example, not a universal checklist or statement of requirements. Local rules and checklists differ. Miami-Dade County new-home walk-through guidance.
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Questions to ask the builder
- What exactly is included in the quoted base price for this plan and lot?
- Which finishes and features shown in the model are upgrades, and what does each cost?
- Which appliances are included for this community, and can you list their models?
- Are there lot premiums or site-work charges, and what work does the quoted price cover?
- What landscaping and exterior work will be completed?
- What is the expected amount due at closing, apart from the base price, and what financing costs should I account for?
- Who provides the warranty, what does it cover, and how do I submit a claim?
- Can the features sheet, selections, payment schedule, and all agreed options be included in or attached to the contract?
If contract language or cost terms are unclear, an optional review by a real-estate attorney may be relevant; whether and how to use that service depends on your jurisdiction and circumstances. The key is to resolve questions before signing and to rely on the written agreement and applicable documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the base price of a new construction home?
There is no standard national package. The builder’s written specifications and purchase contract determine what is included for the specific plan, lot, and community. Request the standard-features sheet and compare it with the quote and contract.
Are appliances included in a new construction home?
It depends on the builder, community, and home. Ask for an appliance list by type and model where available, and confirm specifically whether a refrigerator, washer, and dryer are included. Do not assume a model-home appliance is part of the quoted package.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIs landscaping included with a new construction home?
It varies. Ask what landscaping and exterior work will be completed and get the scope described in writing. Check the agreed work at the walk-through; local requirements and checklists differ.
Does the builder’s warranty cover appliances?
Household appliances are usually excluded from builder warranties. Review the builder’s warranty for covered components, time limits, exclusions, and claim instructions, and obtain the relevant appliance manufacturer documents. An optional home service contract is separate and costs extra.
What costs can be outside a new home’s advertised base price?
Possible separate costs include upgrades, lot or site charges, landscaping scope, warranty or deposit-protection costs, and closing or financing charges. The exact categories and amounts depend on the home, transaction, builder, and location, so request a written itemized breakdown.
The Bottom Line
There is no standard package for a new construction home. Compare the written inclusions, upgrade prices, lot and site scope, landscaping, warranty documents, and closing or financing costs for the exact home—and make sure the contract matches what you were promised.
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