Building a new construction home in Austin, TX is exciting. You get to customize finishes, layouts, and features to match your lifestyle. But here’s the truth most buyers don’t hear at the design center: not every upgrade is worth paying a builder premium for.

Builders make a lot of money on options that feel small in the moment but add thousands to your loan over time. Some upgrades are best handled after closing, when you have full control and better pricing.

Here are five new construction upgrades in Austin that usually aren’t worth the cost.

Decorative Lighting

Builder lighting packages are rarely special. Even upgraded fixtures tend to be generic and overpriced. Let the builder install the standard fixtures so the home passes inspection, then swap them out after closing. Lighting is one of the easiest and most affordable updates you can do later, and you will have far better style options on your own.

Cabinet Hardware

Cabinet pulls and knobs are another common design-center trap. Builders offer limited styles at inflated prices, and the hardware itself is usually entry-level. Replacing cabinet hardware after move-in is simple, inexpensive, and takes very little time. Stick with the standard option and upgrade later.

Interior Paint

Most builders use low-quality flat paint with very limited color choices. Flat paint scuffs easily and shows fingerprints, especially in high-traffic areas. Paying the builder for a paint upgrade rarely delivers long-term value. It is usually better to repaint after closing using higher-quality paint and colors you actually want.

Backsplash

Backsplashes can look great, but builder-installed options are often basic and expensive. Some builders even install a short strip of countertop material as a placeholder and charge extra to replace it. Waiting until after closing allows you to choose a design that fits your style and hire a local installer for less money.

Crown Molding and Trim

Crown molding and decorative trim can add character, but they are expensive builder upgrades that don’t significantly impact resale value in most Austin neighborhoods. These features can be added later at a lower cost, especially if you work with a local carpenter instead of paying builder pricing.

Where This Really Matters

Every dollar you spend on upgrades is rolled into your mortgage and paid for over decades. Choosing the wrong upgrades can quietly cost you tens of thousands more than necessary. The smarter move is to focus builder upgrades on things that are difficult or expensive to change later, like structural options, layout changes, electrical placement, or plumbing rough-ins.

This is where having an experienced Realtor matters.

Builders and their sales reps work for the builder, not you. When you work with a Realtor who understands new construction in Austin, you get guidance on which upgrades are worth it, which ones aren’t, and where you should push for credits instead of paying out of pocket.

And no, it does not cost you extra. Builders pay the commission, and a good Realtor often saves you far more than their fee through smarter decisions and negotiations.

Local knowledge isn’t expensive. It’s priceless when you’re buying or building a home in Austin, TX.