In article .com,
wrote:

I'm wondering what upgrade options people would commonly have
the builder installed for them, and what they'd do themselves
afterwards.

If you do afterwards, would you hire someone (e.g. from Home
Depot, or Lowe's) to help, say, on overall design (e.g. from
blinds, adding doors, full-length mirrors, lighting fixtures)
and on installation.

There are really two questions to ask:

1) is more or less costly for the builder to do it?

Example - I wanted a garage door opener installed. The
builder told me he would call a certain company, and pass
on the bill plus a small service fee. I could save the
service fee if I called them, and had them install it on
the day of closing.

2) is it more or less efficient for the builder to do it?

Example - I wanted a sun room. Builder said that it would
cost about $12K to do it as part of the house, or about $18K
if they had to come back later. The issue is that every
sub contractor would have to be scheduled to come back again
after closing, and they would have to tear into a finished
roof. If it was done as part of the house, there would be
only one trip for the subs, and no wasted materials.

Another example, a finished basement. The builder wanted
$16K to finish a basement as part of the house. I passed
on it, then checked about 2 years later. Everyone wanted
$40K to $60K to do the same job. Permits would have to
be pulled, and all the subs would have to come in. Even
worse, they would be working in a finished house, so there
would be few options for storing junk, and they had to be
careful on the wood floors and carpet.

Blinds, lights, and mirrors can be added later. Lights
that are in new locations should at least be roughed in,
however, so you don't have to tear up drywall to fish
the wire. Anything that is structure or requires drywall
or finish carpentry work should be done by the builder
if possible, unless you have the skills to do it yourself.

-john-

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John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
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