If you’re buying a new construction home, one of the most exciting—and potentially expensive—parts of the process is choosing your upgrades.

On September 16, 2026, Redfin published a new article by Amanda Tripp titled 8 New Construction Home Upgrades discussing which new construction upgrades may be worth paying for and which ones buyers may be better off handling after closing.

I was excited to be featured in the article and share some of the advice I regularly give buyers when they’re deciding where to spend their money.

The biggest takeaway is simple:

Spend your money first on things that will be difficult, expensive, or disruptive to change later.

Paint colors, light fixtures, mirrors, cabinet hardware, and other cosmetic features can usually be changed relatively easily after you move in.

Adding square footage, moving walls, adding electrical wiring, installing additional cabinets, or changing certain structural features is a completely different story.

My Advice to Redfin: Consider Adding the Extra Square Footage

One of the points I discussed with Redfin was additional square footage.

In Redfin’s 8 New Construction Home Upgrades article, I shared:

“Springing to add extra square footage, if it’s an option, can usually be a good ROI since the cost per square foot is usually less than how high the cost per square foot will be when the property sells down the line. If you have any interest, it’s usually a good idea to add extra canned lights or cabinets as well. These can be difficult to match after closing, and the cost from the builder is typically pretty similar to what you can find after closing from a contractor. I’m also a big fan of springing for the upgraded countertops that you really like.”

This is something I discuss with new construction buyers regularly.

If a builder gives you the opportunity to expand a room, add a bedroom, extend a loft, increase the size of the primary suite, or otherwise add permanent living space, that option deserves serious consideration.

You should still look carefully at the price. Not every builder upgrade automatically makes financial sense.

But square footage is one of those things that is extremely difficult to add later.

Changing countertops later is relatively straightforward.

Adding another 200 square feet to your house after it has already been built is not.

Think About Structural Upgrades Before Cosmetic Upgrades

When you walk into a builder’s design center, it is very easy to get distracted by the finishes.

You’ll see beautiful flooring, upgraded backsplashes, designer fixtures, premium cabinet hardware, upgraded appliances, and dozens of other options.

Before spending thousands of dollars on those items, I recommend asking yourself one question:

How difficult would this be to change after I own the house?

That question can help you prioritize your budget.

For example, I would generally give more consideration to things like:

• Additional square footage

• Additional bedrooms or structural room options

• Extra recessed or canned lighting

• Additional electrical outlets

• EV charger preparation

• Prewiring for TVs, internet, speakers, or security systems

• Plumbing rough-ins

• Additional insulation

• Additional cabinetry

• Certain kitchen layout changes

• Upgraded countertops you know you want long-term

Those are the types of upgrades that can become significantly more complicated once drywall, flooring, cabinets, concrete, and other finishes are already installed.

Extra Lighting and Electrical Can Be Easy to Overlook

This is another area I encourage buyers to really think through before construction is completed.

Walk through the floor plan mentally.

Where will your TVs go?

Where will you put your beds?

Where will the couch be?

Do you want pendant lights over the kitchen island?

Would you eventually want a ceiling fan in a particular room?

Do you want additional recessed lighting?

Could you eventually own an electric vehicle?

Would you want additional outlets in the garage?

It is much easier to address many of these questions while the home is being built than after the walls are closed.

An extra outlet or recessed light might not feel as exciting as upgraded flooring in the design center, but you may appreciate it every single day once you actually live in the house.

Cabinets Are Another Upgrade Worth Considering Early

Cabinetry is another area where I sometimes recommend spending money upfront.

You can certainly add cabinets after closing.

The problem is matching them.

Cabinet manufacturers change styles, colors, finishes, and product lines over time. Even if you find something very similar later, getting an exact match isn't always easy.

If you already know you want additional kitchen cabinets, laundry room cabinets, garage storage, or another built-in cabinet option the builder offers, at least compare the builder’s cost with what it would realistically cost after closing.

Sometimes the difference isn't significant enough to justify waiting.

What About Upgraded Countertops?

Countertops fall somewhere between structural upgrades and purely cosmetic upgrades.

Yes, countertops can absolutely be replaced after closing.

But removing perfectly good brand-new countertops a year or two after buying the house isn't always the most economical approach.

That is why I'm generally a fan of getting the countertop you really want if the upgrade cost is reasonable and you expect to live in the home for a while.

If you already know that you hate the standard countertop and you're going to replace it immediately after closing anyway, it may make more sense to price out the upgrade beforehand.

Which Builder Upgrades Can Usually Wait?

This is where buyers can potentially save some money.

Not everything needs to come from the builder.

Many cosmetic items are relatively easy to change after you own the home.

Depending on the builder's pricing, you may want to compare outside costs for things such as paint, mirrors, decorative light fixtures, cabinet hardware, some appliances, certain flooring options, window treatments, landscaping, and other cosmetic improvements.

The important thing is to compare prices rather than automatically assuming the builder is more expensive or less expensive.

I've seen situations where the builder's price makes sense because the work is already happening during construction.

I've also seen upgrades where buyers can save considerable money by waiting until after closing.

Every builder and every project is different.

How Long Will You Own the Home?

Redfin's article also makes another important point: how long you plan to live in the home matters.

If you expect this to be your home for 10, 15, or 20 years, there is nothing wrong with spending money on features that simply make you happy.

Not every upgrade has to produce a financial return.

You're going to live there.

On the other hand, if you think you'll probably sell the home within a few years, I would be much more selective about spending tens of thousands of dollars on highly personalized finishes.

There is a difference between an upgrade that improves the house and an upgrade that simply reflects your personal taste.

Don't Let the Design Center Blow Up Your Budget

One of the biggest mistakes new construction buyers can make is focusing only on the builder's advertised base price.

You might start with a $700,000 house and then discover that the model home you fell in love with contains tens of thousands—or sometimes significantly more—in upgrades.

Before committing to everything you like, separate your choices into three categories:

Hard to change later.

These deserve the most attention.

Easy to change later.

Price them out before paying the builder.

Nice to have, but not necessary.

Ask yourself whether you really want to finance that upgrade as part of your home purchase.

That framework can make the decision-making process much easier.

Buying New Construction in Temecula or Southwest Riverside County?

If you're considering a new construction home in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Winchester, French Valley, or anywhere else in Southwest Riverside County, remember that the builder's sales representative represents the builder.

You can have your own real estate agent represent you as the buyer.

A good buyer's agent can help you look beyond the model home and evaluate the actual purchase price, builder incentives, upgrades, lot premiums, financing options, future resale considerations, and overall value of the home you're considering.

And ideally, that conversation happens before your first visit to the builder.

The Bottom Line

The best new construction upgrades aren't necessarily the flashiest ones.

Start with the things that would require opening walls, changing plumbing, running new electrical, altering the structure, or trying to match materials later.

Then look at the cosmetic upgrades.

My general philosophy is:

Build the house correctly first. Decorate it second.

I'm honored to have been featured by Redfin and Amanda Tripp in 8 New Construction Home Upgrades and to have the opportunity to share some of the same advice I give my clients here in the Temecula Valley.

If you're thinking about buying a new construction home in Temecula or the surrounding area and aren't sure which upgrades, incentives, or builder options actually make sense, feel free to reach out.

Justin Short
The Short Real Estate Team
Keller Williams Temecula Valley
www.theshortrealestateteam.com