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

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A House Beautiful report featuring advice from interior designer Shandon Barrett and home designer Tammy Crosby recommends prioritizing layouts, windows, flooring and exterior materials during construction. It says homeowners may be able to control upfront costs by choosing simpler fixtures and finishes, reusing appliances and leaving bonus rooms unfinished.

A House Beautiful report featuring advice from interior designer Shandon Barrett and home designer Tammy Crosby recommends spending more carefully on elements that are difficult to retrofit—such as plumbing layouts, windows, flooring and the exterior—and saving on finishes that can be changed later. The guidance matters to people planning a new build because it offers a way to prioritize construction spending without treating every upgrade as necessary from day one.

Crosby, CEO of The House Designers, advises homeowners to settle on kitchen and bathroom layouts early. Moving water or gas lines after construction can require breaking concrete slabs or cutting floor joists, according to the report. She suggests installing plumbing rough-ins during the build for possible future features, such as a basement bathroom, outdoor kitchen or ice maker, even if the fixtures are not part of the initial project.

Windows and doors are also worth planning before construction is complete. Changing their size or location later can mean altering framing, removing siding and repairing interior drywall. Crosby recommends considering larger or additional windows in living areas and stairwells, 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 cost estimate or savings calculation.

For flooring, Crosby recommends choosing tile locations in advance and considering continuous hard-surface flooring, including hardwood or luxury vinyl plank, in main areas. The report also urges homeowners to consider durable roofing and siding, which protect the structure but can involve substantial labor and equipment costs to replace. These are expert recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular product or upgrade will pay for itself in every home.

Put Retrofit Costs First

The advice turns a long list of possible upgrades into a practical distinction: prioritize decisions that affect the building itself, and leave more changeable decorative choices for later. Once walls, floors and exterior cladding are finished, changing underlying layouts or materials may involve disruption and additional labor. Planning ahead can also preserve options—for instance, rough-ins can make a future fixture easier to add, though they do not require buying that fixture immediately.

That approach may help owners pace spending, especially when the construction budget cannot cover every desired feature. It is not a substitute for project-specific estimates: labor, materials, climate, building design and local requirements affect costs and performance. Homeowners should compare contractor quotes and confirm that any proposed products meet applicable codes and suit the site.

Choices That Can Wait

The report contrasts construction-intensive work with items it describes as easier to replace. Barrett says homeowners can choose builder-grade decorative lighting and upgrade later, provided the electrical plan supports the intended use. Cabinet pulls and plumbing fixtures are also presented as items that can be swapped, though changing a fixture may still require compatible plumbing or electrical connections.

Crosby says buyers may accept a standard appliance package or reuse appliances they already own, while checking that cabinet openings and utility hookups fit the appliances they may want later. The report describes appliances as standalone units with an expected 10- to 15-year lifespan; that is a general estimate in the source, not a guarantee for every model or household.

Paint, wallpaper, accent walls, trim and decorative accessories are other candidates for later spending, according to the experts. Crosby suggests using one neutral wall color initially and updating rooms over time. She also says a bonus room can be framed and left unfinished until it is needed. Barrett’s broader advice is to focus on permanent finishes and everyday essentials rather than feeling pressure to complete every space immediately.

“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

Costs Vary by Project

The report offers qualitative budgeting advice, not a cost comparison or a universal ranking of upgrades. It does not specify prices, projected energy savings, payback periods, regional labor rates or the building standards behind its recommendations. Crosby’s claims about long-term energy-bill savings and exterior performance are attributed to her; readers cannot calculate a return from the information provided.

It is also unclear which choices will be most valuable for a particular household. Climate, site conditions, design, material quality and how long owners plan to stay can change the trade-offs. The source does not establish that every home should use the same flooring, window package or exterior products, and it does not provide detailed guidance on permits, warranties or contractor selection.

Get Plans and Quotes Early

For readers planning a build, the immediate next step is to discuss layouts, window and door placement, floor materials, exterior specifications and future rough-ins with the architect or builder before construction locks in those decisions. Ask for costs to be separated by item where possible, and confirm how a change would affect schedule, labor and warranties.

Homeowners who need to reduce the initial budget can ask which decorative fixtures, appliances, wall treatments or bonus-room finishes can be deferred without complicating later installation. The report announces no policy change or scheduled follow-up; its guidance is expert advice for individual projects, so the final choices and costs remain dependent on each home’s plans and quotes.

Key Questions

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

The experts recommend planning kitchen and bathroom layouts, plumbing rough-ins, windows and doors, flooring and exterior materials early because changes after construction can involve substantial work.

What upgrades may be easier to postpone?

The report identifies decorative lighting, cabinet hardware, some fixtures, paint and wall treatments, accessories and bonus-room finishes as possible later projects. Confirm that the underlying electrical, plumbing and room plans will support the future changes.

Can homeowners save by using standard appliances?

Crosby says a standard package—or appliances the homeowner already owns—may be an option. Check that appliance openings and utility hookups match the units planned for future use.

Does the report quantify the savings from better windows or exterior materials?

No. Crosby says low-E windows can save on energy bills and that high-performance exterior choices can produce long-term savings, but the report gives no figures, payback period or project-specific estimates.

Source: rss