Custom home selections: what to choose, and when.
A custom home involves hundreds of choices. Making them in the right order keeps the schedule steady and the budget predictable.
Choices in sequence
Hundreds of choices, in the right order.
Selections are the specific products and finishes that go into a house, from windows to cabinet pulls. Each one has a latest responsible moment: the point after which changing it costs time and money. Most selection problems come from choices made after that moment, not from the choices themselves.
Selections timeline
What to choose at each stage.
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Before permit drawings are final
- Windows and exterior doors
- Roofing, siding and stone
- Fireplaces, beams and other structural features
- Heating and cooling system type
These affect engineering, energy calculations and the permit set, and windows often have long lead times.
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Before rough-in
- Plumbing fixtures and valve locations
- Lighting, outlets and switch locations
- Appliances, including sizes and fuel
- Low-voltage wiring, audio and network
Pipes and wires go into open walls. Moving them after inspection means opening walls again.
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Before drywall
- Blocking for grab bars, TVs and heavy shelving
- Built-in speakers and in-wall items
- Final check of fixture and outlet heights
Anything that needs solid backing or hides in the wall has to be in place now.
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Before finishes
- Cabinets, and counters once cabinets are set
- Tile, flooring and stair details
- Interior doors, trim and hardware
- Paint colors
Cabinets and some finishes have long lead times, so order them well before they're needed on site.
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Before move-in
- Window coverings
- Landscaping plants and irrigation
- Final touch-ups from the walkthrough
These can overlap the end of construction, but planning them early avoids a bare house on move-in day.
Making selections easier
See materials in person and in daylight. Stone, wood and paint look different under showroom lights than they do in a Colorado room with big windows and strong sun. Keep a single running list of every choice, with model numbers, and share it with everyone who needs it. And decide the things that affect other things first, like appliances before cabinets and cabinets before counters.
The cost guide explains how allowances and late changes affect the budget, and our approach shows where selections fit in the five stages.
Questions
Selections: questions.
What is an allowance in a custom home contract?
An allowance is a set budget for an item that hasn't been chosen yet, such as lighting or tile. If your choice costs more, the difference is usually added to the price, and if it costs less, it's usually credited back. Settling selections early shrinks the number of open allowances.
When should I choose appliances?
Early, before cabinets are designed. Appliance sizes, gas or electric connections and ventilation all affect the cabinet layout and the rough-in, and some appliances have long lead times.
Can I change a selection after it's been made?
Usually, but the cost rises the later the change comes. Before ordering, a change is mostly paperwork. After ordering or installation, it can mean restocking fees, rework and delays.
Choices ahead
Start the list early.
The earlier the big selections are settled, the steadier the build. We can help you work out which choices to make first.