New Home Standard Inclusions - What Are They?

To ensure a home is ready to move straight into once construction is complete, most builders will have a standard list of inclusions and exclusions that they’ll share with the homeowner. This will generally include things like storage, fittings, and technology, but it can vary from builder to builder.

Too often, homeowners will get caught up in the price and timeline of the new home build and pay little attention to the home inclusions they will or won’t be getting from the package. Given the significant value (and potential cost-savings) that these new home build inclusions can add up to, it’s worthwhile reading up about what standard inclusions look like, so you can budget effectively.

What Are Standard Inclusions for a New Home Build? 

Most builders share a set of inclusions for new home builds that can be considered fairly standard across different options. These include:

• Pre-construction costs such as building plans and specifications, council approval application fees, and construction insurance.
• Basic internal finishings for walls, ceilings, and skirtings including painting.
• Window material and doors for each partition in the layout.
• Bathroom and toilet fixtures such as sinks, taps, and showers.
• Plumbing connections to the sewer and water pipes, a hot water system, and gutters for storm water drainage
• Floor tiling
• Basic roofing work
• Kitchen essential appliances and cabinetry
• Electrical work for switchboard and power point connections, lighting options, and smoke detectors.

The extent of these inclusions in terms of quality and options will vary from builder to builder - it’s always worth checking over the list of inclusions instead of assuming that an item, material, or service will be provided as part of the new home build. 

Generally, inclusions can be categorised by:

Structural Inclusions

Structural inclusions cover everything from the layout and structure of the home to add-ons or upgrades to the basic layout of the home build. When choosing from a builder’s existing list of home designs, it’s important to carefully review the structural inclusions. As a point of difference, some builders may also offer several optional inclusions that can add value to the home. For example, living in North Queensland, it’s not uncommon to have structural inclusions that extend to amenities like outdoor areas and outdoor kitchens.

Lighting 

Lighting options will usually be provided as part of the inclusions for a new home build. While they are typically built into most parts of the home, they are usually basic options that serve to illuminate the space — don’t expect specific lighting options such as living room chandeliers or down lighting unless this is something you’ve discussed and agreed upon!

Storage Areas

Storage is an often-overlooked part of new home build inclusions. Homeowners (especially first homeowners) tend to underestimate the amount of storage space they need within the home. The truth is that you can never have too much storage space — having more upfront is always better than having to purchase more cabinets later on.

Key areas that should have sufficient storage include wardrobes for bedrooms, living room shelves or display cabinets, garage storage cupboards, and laundry rooms. 

Energy Efficient Measures 

With home energy efficiency gaining emphasis across Australia, inclusions you may want to consider include solar or a rainwater collection tank. Having these inclusions will pay off in the long run by helping you save on power and water bills while helping your home become more self-sufficient.

Modern Tech & Appliance Fittings

Fitting your home with smart technology and other types of integrated appliances can be a great way to enhance your quality of living. With a new home build, there’s a good opportunity to build these options right into your home, from smart lighting to top-of-the-line kitchen appliances. 

However, such inclusions are usually not part of the base offering and will need to be added on.

Build Your Dream Home with Cougar Homes

Remember to always ask for a clear list of the new home build inclusions with any house and land building package before signing anything — this way, you’ll know exactly what you’ll be getting with your new home, as well as whether you need to make any adjustments to suit your preferences. 

At Cougar Homes, we list all of our new home build inclusions and options upfront as part of our commitment to providing a high-quality and transparent building service for all our clients. If you’re looking to build a home in Cairns, we are the best local builders that you can rely on to create the home of your dreams. Contact us today to find out how we can help you, or view our available Cairns house and land packages online!