What Are Standard Features and What is an Upgrade?


August 15, 2017

What Are Standard Features and What is an Upgrade? featured Image

Standard features and upgrades vary from builder to builder. So, when it comes to finding your perfect new home, you’ll want to find out what’s available to you ahead of time. Here are a few examples of what you can expect when it comes to standards and upgraded features in the new home market.

Fabulous Flooring

You can also check with your builder about what kind of flooring is an upgrade in the kitchen and living space. Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring is a standard option provided by many builders but may be limited only to certain areas such as the great room. Working with a good builder means you can enjoy high-quality laminate throughout, without having to compromise your budget.

What Are Standard Features and What is an Upgrade? Cabinetry Image

Cool Countertops and Cabinetry

For the kitchen, there will be options for countertop upgrades with most builders. These can be in the form of upgrading laminate to quartz or even granite or marble – inevitably costing you more. There are some builders, however, that offer these higher-end finishes without the added cost to you. For example, Sterling Homes offers quartz as a standard in any of their Sterling Advantage models.

The same might ring true when it comes to cabinetry. Larger upper kitchen cabinets often come at a higher price with many builders but Sterling upper cabinets are an automatic 36 inches high. 

Awesome Appliances

Matching stainless steel appliance packages often come at an additional cost with a new home build. Or, if they are included, your choices may be limited to what the builder is willing to provide. This can raise questions of quality or longevity. However, with a flexible builder like Sterling, you’ll get $2,900 to put towards the appliances of your choice with our supplier – automatically. This not only guarantees new appliances at no additional cost but a wider range of selection.

Fun Floor Plan Upgrades

Your ability to make changes to your floor plan will also depend on how flexible a builder is. For example, instead of three small extra bedrooms upstairs, you may want two bedrooms and a larger master suite. Another example might be reducing the size of your dining area in favour of a flex room – ideal for that home office you’ve always wanted. 

A good builder will be happy to make these changes to your floor plan at little to no extra charge while a less accommodating builder may expect higher compensation. 

Those Little Extras

Builders can often include smaller upgrades as standard in their new home builds.   A Sterling home automatically means you’ll enjoy a full height backsplash in your kitchen, for instance. Other extras include nine-foot main floor ceilings, LED lights and a water line to the fridge. These little things can add up to big-time convenience for new homeowners, but again, you won’t find them standard with every builder.

In short, not all builder upgrades are created equal. So, if you’re considering upgrades for your new home, be sure to consult with your builder’s sales team to find out exactly what they offer. With a little shopping around, you may be able to get everything you want (and then some) at little to no extra cost. 

If you’re still trying to decide who to build with, we’ve prepared a simple guide that will help you discover the advantages of building with Sterling Homes. We’d love to build your next home! GO ahead and click the button below to download your FREE guide now!

Click here to download 7 Reasons Why Sterling Homes is Not Your Average Home Builder now! 

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About the Author:


At Sterling Homes, our mission is to provide the opportunity for affordable homeownership without compromise. Over the last 70 years, Sterling Edmonton has quickly become one of Edmonton’s most popular builders. We bring more than seven decades worth of exceptional customer service, superior design and unparalleled craftsmanship to the greater Edmonton area. As a member of the Qualico Group, Sterling Homes focuses on greater Edmonton’s finest family communities, while being able to offer some of the region’s most family friendly prices thanks to volume purchasing power for materials, trades and land. This has not only made Sterling one of Edmonton’s bestselling, move-up builders, but also one of the industry’s most respected home providers. It is through our uncompromising commitment to our customers that we proudly deliver the Sterling Advantage – that’s why each and every home we build includes a 10-year home warranty, a completion guarantee and new home warranty excellence rating. Our Advantage is our pledge that, when you build your dream home with Sterling, we will deliver a timely, well-built home you’re sure to enjoy for years to come.

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