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A House Beautiful report outlines where new-home builders may want to spend upfront and where they can defer costs. Experts interviewed by the publication recommend prioritizing hard-to-change systems and durable finishes, while postponing easily replaced fixtures, appliances and bonus-room finishes.
House Beautiful has published advice from home-design and building experts on how to divide a new-house budget between upgrades to make during construction and purchases that can wait. Their central recommendation is to spend early on features that are difficult or disruptive to change later—such as layouts, plumbing rough-ins, windows and exterior materials—and save on items that are easier to replace.
Shandon Barrett, an interior designer at Love vs. Design, told the publication that the goal is not simply to spend more, but to put money in places that will serve the household over time. Barrett advised prioritizing permanent finishes, craftsmanship and everyday essentials, while leaving some spaces unfinished if the budget does not allow for everything at once.
Tammy Crosby, CEO of The House Designers, recommends settling kitchen and bathroom layouts early. Moving water or gas lines after construction can involve breaking concrete slabs or cutting floor joists, according to the report. Crosby also suggests installing plumbing rough-ins during construction for possible future needs—such as a basement bathroom, outdoor kitchen or ice-maker—even if the fixtures are not part of the initial build.
Windows and doors also warrant early decisions because changing their size or placement later can require work on siding, framing and interior drywall. Crosby recommends considering larger or additional windows where natural light is wanted, and said double- or triple-pane low-emissivity glass can reduce energy bills over the home’s life. Those savings are her assessment; the report does not provide cost estimates or a projected payback period.
The experts also identify main-area flooring and a resilient exterior as areas to prioritize. Replacing finished flooring can mean removing thousands of square feet of material along with trim and baseboards. Roofing and siding replacements involve substantial labor and equipment, the report notes, making durable exterior choices worth considering at the outset.
By contrast, builders may be able to start with standard decorative lighting, plumbing fixtures and cabinet pulls, then replace them later. Appliances can also be a place to defer spending: Crosby says homeowners can use a standard package or keep existing appliances, provided the new kitchen’s openings and utility connections suit the appliances they may want in the future.
The report’s other suggested savings include using one neutral paint color initially, delaying wallpaper and decorative trim, and furnishing with affordable rugs and accessories. A bonus room can be framed for future use without immediately adding insulation, drywall or flooring, Crosby said. The advice is to preserve the option to finish the space later, not to leave it unfinished regardless of local building requirements or the intended use.
Spend Early on Hard-to-Change Work
The recommendations focus on the difference between construction-stage decisions and later cosmetic changes. A fixture can generally be swapped without rebuilding a room, while relocating plumbing or changing window openings can involve several trades and repairs to finished surfaces. For buyers building to a set budget, deciding which work is costly to revisit may help avoid paying for decorative upgrades before the home’s underlying layout and systems are settled.
The guidance also highlights a trade-off: spending more on a feature does not automatically guarantee savings. Durable materials, efficient glazing and planned rough-ins may offer long-term value, but the report gives no project-specific price comparisons, energy-use data or guarantees of return. Actual costs depend on the home, contractor, location and product choices, so owners need to compare estimates against their plans and finances.
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Construction Choices Versus Later Upgrades
The House Beautiful report groups recommendations by how difficult a feature may be to change after construction. Layouts, utility locations, openings and exterior protection are treated as early-stage decisions because later changes can affect framing, slabs, siding or finished interiors. Decorative pieces and many appliances are presented as more flexible because they can often be replaced without altering the building itself.
That distinction does not mean every homeowner should choose the same upgrades. The report offers expert guidance rather than a universal budget formula, and it does not set prices or rank projects by cost. Its practical premise is to plan for likely needs early, while allowing optional rooms and style choices to be completed over time.
““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, as quoted by House Beautiful
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Costs Depend on Each Build
The report does not give specific construction prices, upgrade premiums or estimated payback periods for its recommendations. It also does not compare products or establish which choices are most cost-effective across different climates, house designs or energy prices. Crosby’s comments about long-term energy savings are expert advice, not a quantified guarantee for every home.
It is also not clear from the source material when the report was published. Builders should confirm what work is allowed at each stage and what a future room or installation will require under local rules. Deferring finishes does not remove any applicable code, permit or safety obligations.
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Apply the Advice to Project Plans
For anyone planning a build, the next step is to review the floor plan and specifications with the builder before construction locks in plumbing, gas, electrical, window and door locations. Ask for separate estimates for proposed upgrades and for the costs of installing future-ready rough-ins now. Confirm that appliance openings and utility connections match likely replacement models.
Homeowners can then identify which spaces may be finished later and agree with the builder on what must be completed for the home’s intended use and local requirements. The source report does not announce a policy change or a forthcoming industry milestone; its recommendations remain general guidance, and individual budgets and plans will determine which choices make sense.
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Key Questions
What does the report recommend spending more on during construction?
It highlights layouts, plumbing rough-ins, windows and doors, main-area flooring, and durable exterior materials as choices to settle early because changing them later can involve substantial labor or disruption.
Which home-building upgrades could be postponed?
The experts say homeowners may be able to defer decorative fixtures and hardware, upgraded appliances, custom paint or trim, accessories, and finishes in a bonus room. The report recommends checking that future appliances will fit the planned openings and utility connections.
Why plan plumbing rough-ins before installing fixtures?
Adding connections during construction may preserve the option to install features such as a basement bathroom or outdoor kitchen later. Retrofitting water or gas lines can require work on concrete slabs or floor joists, according to the report.
Does the report say high-performance windows or exteriors always pay for themselves?
No. Crosby says efficient glass can save on energy bills and that high-performance exterior choices can produce long-term savings, but the report provides no cost estimates or guaranteed payback figures. Results will depend on the project and the products selected.
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