Luxury Home Finishes: Which Upgrades Are Worth It?

When you are buying a new construction luxury home—whether from InTown Homes or another premium builder—you will inevitably face decisions about upgrades. The design center is where budgets go to die. A $600,000homecanbecome$600,000homecanbecome700,000 before you know it, all from choices that seemed small at the time.

The key question is simple: Which upgrades add real value to your life and future resale, and which are just expensive decoration?

Here is a frank, practical guide to luxury home finishes, organized by what is worth your money and what is not.

The Golden Rule of Upgrades

Spend on things you touch, use daily, or cannot change later. Save on things that are purely cosmetic or easily swapped.

This simple framework will save you tens of thousands of dollars.

WORTH IT: Upgrades That Deliver Value

1. Structural Changes and Floor Plan Modifications

Verdict: Absolutely worth it — but only if you are sure.

Moving walls, adding windows, vaulting ceilings, or extending the garage happens during framing. Once the drywall is up, these changes are impossible or ruinously expensive.

What to prioritize:

• Adding a downstairs bedroom or full bath (essential for aging parents or guests)

• Extending the covered patio (Texas summers make shade non-negotiable)

• Adding a gas line to the patio for an outdoor kitchen

• Increasing garage depth (most standard garages barely fit a full-size truck)

• Pre-wiring for ceiling fans, security cameras, and ethernet (Cat-6)

What to skip: Moving a wall six inches for a slightly larger pantry. The cost is high, and future buyers will never notice.

2. Kitchen Countertops: Quartz

Verdict: Worth it — but only to a point.

Quartz has overtaken granite as the luxury standard for good reason. It is non-porous (no sealing required), resistant to staining and bacteria, and available in consistent colors that mimic marble without the maintenance headaches.

The smart play: Most builders include a basic quartz or granite as standard. Upgrading to a premium quartz (Caesarstone, Silestone, Cambria) adds visual impact but diminishing returns. A mid-tier quartz in a neutral color (white, light gray, warm beige) performs just as well as the most expensive option.

What to skip: Marble. In a kitchen, marble etches from acidic foods (lemon juice, tomato sauce) and stains easily. Save marble for the bathroom vanity or a wet bar where it sees less abuse.

Estimated cost: Standard included vs. premium upgrade: +$3,000\text{–}$3,000–8,000

3. Flooring: Hardwood and Quality Tile

Verdict: Worth it on the main level. Questionable upstairs.

You walk on floors every day. Cheap carpet wears out in 5-7 years and looks terrible for the last three of those years. Engineered hardwood (real wood veneer over plywood) performs better than solid hardwood in Texas’s humidity swings.

The smart play:

• Main living areas, kitchen, dining, primary bedroom: Engineered hardwood in a medium tone (hides dirt between cleanings)

• Bathrooms and laundry: Large-format porcelain tile (minimal grout lines to clean)

• Upstairs bedrooms: Good-quality carpet with upgraded padding (quieter, warmer, cheaper)

• Stairs: Hardwood (carpet on stairs wears unevenly and looks dated)

What to skip: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) in a luxury home. LVP is durable and waterproof, but it does not say “luxury.” It says “rental property” or “flood zone compromise.” If budget is tight, do hardwood on the main floor and save LVP for a basement or utility room.

Estimated cost: Hardwood over standard LVP: +$8,000\text{–}$8,000–15,000 for 2,000 sq ft

4. Lighting and Electrical

Verdict: Worth it — especially for placement, not just fixtures.

Adding electrical outlets, can lights, and pre-wiring during construction costs a fraction of what an electrician charges after drywall is up.

The smart play:

• LED can lights throughout the main level (dim them for ambiance, brighten for cleaning)

• Under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen (pre-wired, not battery-operated stick-ons)

• Pre-wire for pendant lights over the island (even if you install basic fixtures now)

• Exterior outlet on the patio (for string lights or a TV)

• Floor outlets in large living rooms (so you are not running cords across walkways)

• Pre-wire for a ceiling fan in every bedroom (Texas summers require air movement)

What to skip: The builder’s expensive light fixture upgrades. Take the standard “contractor pack” of basic fixtures, then hire an electrician after closing to install fixtures you buy yourself from Lighting Unlimited, Lamps Plus, or even Wayfair. You will save 50-70%.

Estimated cost: Pre-wiring is cheap (+$500\text{–}$500–1,500). Builder fixtures are expensive (3x retail).

5. Kitchen Backsplash

Verdict: Worth it — but choose wisely.

A backsplash is relatively inexpensive and has high visual impact. It is also one of the easiest DIY projects if you want to save money (though luxury buyers rarely DIY).

The smart play: Extend the backsplash to the ceiling behind the range or hood. This creates a dramatic focal point. Use a classic material—subway tile, herringbone, or a simple stacked stone—that will not look dated in five years.

What to skip: Mosaic glass tile. It was trendy in 2015. It looks busy and dated now. Stick with timeless.

Estimated cost: Builder upgrade: +$2,000\text{–}$2,000–5,000

6. Cabinetry: Soft-Close and Tall Uppers

Verdict: Soft-close is worth it. Full custom is overkill.

Soft-close hinges and drawer slides prevent slamming and feel genuinely luxurious. They add almost nothing to the builder’s cost but make the kitchen feel expensive. Most luxury builders (including InTown Homes) include this as standard.

The smart play: Upgrade to tall upper cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling (no dusty gap above). This adds storage and looks built-in and custom. Add pull-out trash/recycling and deep drawers for pots and pans instead of lower cabinets with doors.

What to skip: Custom cabinetry from a specialty millworker. High-quality semi-custom (from brands like KraftMaid or Medallion) looks nearly identical for half the price.

Estimated cost: Tall uppers: +$2,000\text{–}$2,000–4,000

MAYBE WORTH IT: Depends on Your Lifestyle

7. Spa Bathroom Features

Verdict: Worth it if you actually use them.

A steam shower, freestanding soaking tub, heated floors, and multiple shower heads sound amazing. But how often will you actually use a soaking tub? For many buyers, the answer is “twice a year.”

The smart play:

• Frameless glass shower enclosure (always worth it — looks bigger, cleaner)

• Bench seat in the shower (great for shaving legs or aging in place)

• Multiple shower heads (a rain head plus a handheld is genuinely useful)

• Heated floors (in Texas? Skip it. Our winters are mild. Save the money.)

What to skip: The freestanding tub if you are a shower person. Digital shower controls (they break and cost $1,000+ to repair).

Estimated cost: Frameless glass: +$1,500\text{–}$1,500–3,000. Heated floors: +$3,000\text{–}$3,000–6,000 (not recommended for Texas).

8. Smart Home Technology

Verdict: Pre-wire is worth it. The hardware is not.

Having the infrastructure for smart home features is essential. Paying the builder $5,000 for a specific brand’s smart panel and proprietary switches is a trap.

The smart play: Have the builder run low-voltage wiring (Cat-6 ethernet) to every room, and pre-wire for motorized shades. Then install your own system after closing using off-the-shelf products from Lutron, Control4, or even Alexa/Google ecosystems.

What to skip: The builder’s “smart home package” with a proprietary controller that will be obsolete in three years.

Estimated cost: Pre-wiring: +$1,000\text{–}$1,000–2,500. Builder’s smart package: +$5,000\text{–}$5,000–15,000 (skip it).

9. Outdoor Living Upgrades

Verdict: In Texas? Absolutely worth it.

You will use a covered patio, outdoor kitchen, or fireplace from March through November. Texas summers are brutal, but evenings on the patio are glorious.

The smart play:

• Covered patio extension (at least 12x20 feet for a dining table and seating area)

• Gas line stub for a grill or fire pit

• Outdoor-rated ceiling fan (crucial for mosquito reduction)

• Pre-wire for outdoor speakers and TV

What to skip: A full outdoor kitchen with built-in refrigerator, sink, and storage. These add $15,000\text{–}$15,000–30,000 but are used less often than you think. Start with a gas stub and a good grill. Add the built-in later if you actually use it.

Estimated cost: Covered patio extension: +$8,000\text{–}$8,000–15,000. Outdoor kitchen: +$15,000\text{–}$15,000–30,000 (defer if possible).

NOT WORTH IT: Upgrades to Skip

10. Premium Appliance Packages

Verdict: Rarely worth it — unless you are a serious cook.

Yes, Wolf, Sub-Zero, and Thermador are beautiful. But a $15,000refrigeratordoesnotkeepfoodcolderthana$15,000refrigeratordoesnotkeepfoodcolderthana4,000 one. A $8,000rangedoesnotcookdinnerfasterthana$8,000rangedoesnotcookdinnerfasterthana3,000 one.

The smart play: Take the builder’s standard stainless steel package (often Bosch, GE Cafe, or KitchenAid). Use the appliances for 5-7 years. Then replace them piece by piece with the luxury brands you want—on your own timeline, at wholesale prices from an appliance liquidator.

Exception: If you cook 5+ nights per week and genuinely need a 36-inch gas range with a griddle, buy the upgrade. But know that most buyers do not.

Estimated cost saved: $10,000\text{–}$10,000–25,000

11. Fireplaces

Verdict: Beautiful. Rarely used in Texas.

Austin and Houston have maybe six weeks of fireplace weather per year. Many homeowners never light their gas fireplace after the first winter.

The smart play: If the floor plan includes a fireplace as standard, fine. But paying $5,000\text{–}$5,000–10,000 to add one? Skip it. Put that money into the covered patio, where you will spend 50 weekends per year.

Estimated cost saved: $5,000\text{–}$5,000–10,000

12. Wine Cellars and Wet Bars

Verdict: Only worth it for serious collectors.

A temperature-controlled wine cellar for 500+ bottles is a significant investment. If you actually have a collection worth storing, you already know you need it. If you are adding a wine cellar because it feels luxurious, you will end up storing holiday decorations in it.

The smart play: A modest wine refrigerator (holds 30-50 bottles) built into the kitchen island or butler’s pantry costs $1,000 and serves 99% of homeowners.

Estimated cost saved: $15,000\text{–}$15,000–40,000 (skip the dedicated cellar)

13. Crown Molding and Decorative Trim

Verdict: Nice. Not worth paying for as an upgrade.

Crown molding adds visual polish, especially with 10-12 foot ceilings. But a good handyman can install it after closing for a fraction of the builder’s price. This is one of the easiest post-closing projects.

The smart play: Take the standard flat trim. Hire a trim carpenter after closing if you decide you want crown molding.

Estimated cost saved: $3,000\text{–}$3,000–8,000

14. His-and-Hers Walk-In Closets

Verdict: Builders overcharge for closet systems.

A “custom closet” from the builder often means wire shelving (cheap) or basic melamine (overpriced). You can get a far better closet from California Closets, The Container Store, or a local closet company after closing.

The smart play: Have the builder leave the closet as an empty room with standard builder-grade shelf and rod. Then hire a closet specialist after closing to design exactly what you need.

Estimated cost saved: $5,000\text{–}$5,000–10,000

The InTown Homes Advantage: Luxury as Standard

One reason InTown Homes stands out from production builders is that many of these “upgrades” come standard. When you buy an InTown townhome, the baseline already includes:

• Quartz countertops (not laminate)

• Bosch stainless steel appliances (not builder-grade)

• Hans Grohe plumbing fixtures

• Soft-close cabinetry

• 12-foot ceilings on the main level

• Tankless water heaters

• 2x6 exterior walls with upgraded insulation

For a detailed comparison of how InTown’s standard finishes stack up against other Texas builders, see our article: What Makes InTown Homes Different from Other Texas Builders.

The Bottom Line: Your Upgrade Cheat Sheet

Final Advice for Luxury Home Buyers

Spend your upgrade budget in this order:

1. Structural changes that you cannot add later

2. Flooring in main living areas

3. Electrical pre-wiring for ceiling fans, outdoor outlets, and data

4. Covered outdoor space (Texas non-negotiable)

5. Kitchen countertops and tall cabinets

6. Bathroom frameless glass and bench seat

Save your money on anything that can be added or swapped after closing:

• Light fixtures (buy your own, hire an electrician)

• Closet systems (specialist after closing)

• Crown molding (handyman after closing)

• Appliances (replace over time)

• Smart home hardware (install your own ecosystem)

Remember the golden rule: Spend on things you touch, use daily, or cannot change later. Save on things that are purely cosmetic or easily swapped.

And if you are buying from InTown Homes, recognize that you are already starting ahead—luxury finishes that other builders charge thousands to upgrade are already included in your base price. Your design center decisions will be about refining, not rebuilding from scratch.

Visit InTownHomes.com to tour our luxury townhome communities in Houston, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth, where premium finishes come standard.