Which is less expensive........upgrades from builder or?

Question

Is it usually less expensive to get upgrades from the builder (new construction) or to get it done later from a completely diffrent contractor.
I want to get my cabinets upgraded and hardwood floors installed along with all electrical stuff (extra outlets, cable plugs and Ceiling lights)

Thanks

Answer 1

We faced the same thing 4 years ago. We did upgrade cabinets, flooring, and added electrical where we wanted. The only thing I wish we would have done was to plumb for a bathroom in the basement and bump out the garage. At the time these things sounded too expensive, but in retrospect seem pretty cheap over 30 years.

Answer 2

It is always cheaper to get it done after. If the builder does it then the builder is marking up the hardwood companys prices whose marking up the installers prices whose marking up the wholesale prices.

Where I live I can do a top grade hardwood floor supplied and installed usually for under $10 per sq.ft. When I was doing floors in new houses here the builders prices started at $16.50 per sq.ft.

Answer 3

The electrical, you want done while the house is being built. Why finish it and then tear open walls? The cabinets will probably be cheaper and less of a mess to have installed during construction also. Talk to your contractor about prices for materials. You may be able to buy the cabinets and have him install them.

Answer 4

Depending on the builder. Some do not want to vary from their basic (think done many times before) plan, But...Doing it "correctly" the first time around is cheaper and a lot cleaner.... Why purchase, install, then throw away new cabinets, just to purchase, install new ones. It will cost you much more even without the tear-out cost.

Answer 5

There is always a mark-up on extra's, but in your case it is easiest, and cheaper to have the specified work done at the time of construction, not later.The only exception might be the hard wood floors, so check on the TYPE of material used, and DO get outside quotes on that one!