Building a New Home in DFW: Upgrades I’d Choose Again and Mistakes to Avoid
Table of Contents
- Introduction to Building a New Home in DFW
- Things I Would Do Differently When Building a New Home in DFW
- Things I Would Do Again for a New Home Build in DFW
- Wish List Items for a New Home in DFW (If Money Were No Object)
- Things I Still Wouldn’t Do in a DFW New Build
- Practical Planning Checklist for Building a New Home in DFW
- FAQs About Building a New Home in DFW
- Final Thoughts on Building a New Home in DFW
Introduction to Building a New Home in DFW
If you are considering building a new home in DFW, there are a hundred small decisions that add up to how your house feels and functions. After building three new homes and helping dozens of buyers through the process, I put together the adjustments I would make next time, the upgrades I would definitely keep, and the items I still wouldn’t choose. This is a practical guide for anyone building a new home in DFW who wants to get the most value and liveability from their choices.
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Things I Would Do Differently When Building a New Home in DFW
These are the upgrades and decisions I skipped, regretted, or only realized later. If you are building a new home in DFW, consider these first — many are relatively inexpensive compared with the benefit they bring.
- Go with 8‑foot interior doors.
The jump from 6'8" to 8' doors is one of those subtle upgrades that makes a home feel more elegant and spacious. Most builders offer this as an optional upgrade for a few thousand dollars. If you want a more refined look without a huge cost, this is high on the list.
- Elevate the entryway/raise ceilings at the front.
On a single‑story plan, raising the entry gives you that dramatic, airy feel you often get with two stories. It makes the space feel lighter and more open — a small structural option with a big visual payoff.
- Upgrade to 42‑inch kitchen uppers instead of stacking cabinets.
Kitchen remodels are expensive. Spending a little more to get taller upper cabinets (42" versus 36") typically gives you cleaner lines and more usable storage. It’s a practical way to elevate the kitchen look without the complexity of extra decorative cabinetry.
- Ask the builder to pour extra concrete flatwork while they are onsite.
Adding extra patio or concrete pads during construction avoids later headaches with irrigation and sprinkler rerouting. If you plan an outdoor kitchen, trash pad, or larger deck area, have them pour it during build time so the subs account for sprinkler lines and grading.
- Plan electrical and data points around how you will actually live.
Walk the plan and decide where TVs will be mounted, where cordless vacuums will hang, and if you need dedicated circuits for an EV charger or shop equipment. We mounted TVs on walls in almost every room and had to add outlets afterward. Do that planning now.
- Epoxy the garage floor before move‑in (DIY or third party, not necessarily the builder).
A finished garage floor is easy to do before you fill the space. After move‑in it becomes a big job. You don’t have to pay the builder premium; doing it with a local contractor or DIY kit saves money and avoids inconvenience later.
- Do touch-up painting and a few custom paint jobs before moving in.
The builder will charge for every paint color change. But painting accent walls or rooms yourself before furniture arrives is far easier than living with paint you don’t love or rearranging after the fact.
- Take the builder’s blinds if they offer the standard 2" faux-wood package.
For standard blinds, builders often source at cost or near cost. Trying to DIY this after the fact can become more expensive and more frustrating than letting the builder handle it.
- Minimize carpet and add LVP where it makes sense.
We skimped on flooring in a few bedrooms and regretted it. LVP (luxury vinyl plank) is durable, easier to maintain in busy households, and more versatile than carpet in most cases. If you know you will rip out floors later, ask the builder to install carpet temporarily in those rooms — it’s easier to remove than tile.
- Spend a little more on the primary bathroom design.
Primary baths are where you’ll notice builder‑grade choices most. Better tile, a nicer vanity, and thoughtful layout choices make the space feel intentional and keep you from doing a full remodel a few years later.
- Consider adding a half bath where it doesn’t cost you critical storage.
A powder room is useful for guests, but some layouts trade away valuable storage. Weight this trade‑off: if the plan lets you keep both storage and a half bath, jump on it.
- Ask builders not to glue bathroom mirrors if you plan to replace them.
Builders commonly glue large mirrors directly to drywall. That glue can damage the wall when removed. If you have custom vanity mirrors in mind, request clipped mirrors or have them omit the mirrors so you avoid drywall repair later.
Things I Would Do Again for a New Home Build in DFW
These are the options that made daily life better. If you are building a new home in DFW, consider locking these in early — the structural and electrical choices are often impossible or costly to change later.
- Add a third car garage.
We added a three‑car garage and use it constantly for storage, hobbies, and projects. If budget and lot size permit, a third bay is more useful than it sounds.
- Move the fence as far forward as regulations allow and add gates on both sides.
Having a fence installed by the builder during construction is often cheaper and avoids rerouting irrigation. We also added side gates so future large items or pool equipment can be moved into the yard without removing the fence.
- Think hard about the direction the house faces.
In the DFW heat, orientation matters for how usable your backyard is. A north‑facing backyard will be shaded differently than a west‑facing yard that cooks in the late afternoon. Factor sunrise and sunset into where you want your bedrooms and outdoor living areas.
- Connect the laundry room to the master closet when possible.
A door between the laundry and the closet is a small structural change that saves lots of hallway trips and hides laundry flow from living spaces. It’s simple and brilliant.
- Add air returns in every room.
Air returns help regulate pressure and temperature across rooms so doors don’t slam and your HVAC runs more evenly. Ask for room returns if they aren’t standard.
- Pay for a patio extension tied into the roof line.
A covered, extended patio matters in Texas. It expands usable living space and stays protected under warranty when done by the builder.
- Add structural bedroom extensions where they give you a sitting room or usable space.
Structural options are the ones you can’t easily change. If you want more room in the master, add it now rather than trying to remodel later.
- Install dedicated Christmas light plugs in the eaves on a switch.
It keeps holiday wiring tidy and looks clean. Small touches like this make holiday decorating simpler for years.
- Include trash can pull‑outs in cabinets or island.
It’s a small cost that keeps your kitchen cleaner and more organized.
- Prioritize high ceilings where possible and consider a tankless water heater.
High ceilings improve perceived space and light. A tankless water heater is a useful upgrade for steady hot water and energy efficiency — worth the up‑front cost for many families.
Wish List Items for a New Home in DFW (If Money Were No Object)
These are luxury or semi‑custom features I’ve seen others add and thought, “That’s clever.” They aren’t essentials, but if you can swing them, they make life easier.
- Four‑car garage — more space for equipment and hobbies.
- Two dishwashers — brilliant for large families or heavy entertainers.
- Dedicated media/server closet for routers, camera DVRs, and network gear.
- On‑suite bathrooms for every bedroom or smart Jack and Jill layouts.
- Central vacuum lines — nice for quick, powerful cleanups without lugging a vacuum around.
- Hot/cold bib in the garage for pressure washers and rinsing off gear.
- Taller garage doors if you drive a bigger truck or want a roomier feel.
Things I Still Wouldn’t Do in a DFW New Build
- Sacrifice storage for style.
Pantries and storage nooks are disappearing in some plans. I wouldn’t give up usable storage to chase tiny design gains.
- Handle blinds myself for standard options.
For basic 2" faux-wood blinds, take the builder’s package. It’s usually easier and not more expensive.
- Spend big on a triple slider without thinking about climate and use.
They look great, but in DFW’s heat, how often will they be fully open? They’re expensive and can reduce energy efficiency if not used thoughtfully.
Practical Planning Checklist for Building a New Home in DFW
Use this checklist when you meet with the builder’s sales or design team. It will save you money, time, and regret.
- Door heights: consider 8‑foot doors for living spaces.
- Entry and ceiling elevations: choose raised entries or higher ceilings if offered.
- Kitchen uppers: upgrade to 42" cabinet uppers if you want cleaner storage.
- Concrete: add flatwork for patios, trash pads, and outdoor kitchens during construction.
- Outlets and circuits: plan for wall‑mounted TVs, Dyson/Sherpa mounts, garage 220 circuits, and EV charging.
- Garage prep: epoxy before filling the garage and add hot/cold taps if desired.
- Paint: choose the builder’s standard palette and do custom paint before move‑in yourself.
- Window coverings: take standard blinds through the builder for a simpler process.
- Flooring: put LVP in high‑traffic areas; ask for carpet in any rooms you plan to rip out to keep costs down.
- Bathroom mirrors: request clipped mirrors or no glue if you have custom mirrors in mind.
- Structural options: lock in garage bays, bedroom extensions, and laundry‑to‑closet doors while you can.
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FAQs About Building a New Home in DFW
What are the smartest low-cost upgrades when building a new home in DFW?
Small structural or finish choices give great value: 8‑foot doors, 42" kitchen uppers, extra patio concrete poured during construction, and air returns in each room. These upgrades cost a few thousand each but significantly improve function and resale.
Should I take the builder’s standard blinds when building a new home in DFW?
For basic 2" faux‑wood blinds, yes. Builders often source them at close to cost. Avoid DIYing standard blinds unless you want a specialized window treatment like plantation shutters or roller shades.
How important is lot orientation when building a new home in DFW?
Very important. Sun exposure affects backyard usability in the heat, which rooms get morning or afternoon sun, and how comfortable outdoor spaces are during summer. Walk the lot at different times of day before you lock your choice.
Is a tankless water heater worth it in DFW?
For many families, yes. It’s an upfront upgrade that provides a steady supply of hot water and can be more energy efficient. Consider household usage patterns before committing.
When should I plan outlets for TVs and smart devices?
During the design appointment. Put outlets behind mounted TVs, install dedicated circuits for garage equipment and EV chargers, and think through data points. It’s cheaper and cleaner to plan these before drywall and trim go in.
Should I ask the builder to epoxy the garage floor?
Yes — but ideally have it done before move‑in. You can do it yourself or hire a local contractor to save money unless the builder offers high value for their package. Doing it early prevents the hassle of moving stored items later.
Final Thoughts on Building a New Home in DFW
Building a new home in DFW is exciting, but the small choices matter. Prioritize structural options you can’t change later, plan electrical and plumbing around how you will use the house, and spend a little more on finishes that avoid immediate remodeling. A few thoughtful upgrades now will save time, money, and frustration down the road.
If you keep a checklist, walk the lot at different times of day, and make a few strategic upgrades, you will be miles ahead of most new home builds. Good luck with the build.
Ready to make smart choices when building a new home in DFW? Call or text Zak today at 469-707-9077 and get personalized guidance on upgrades, floorplans, and new construction deals.
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Zak Schmidt
From in-depth property tours and builder reviews to practical how-to guides and community insights, I make navigating the real estate process easy and enjoyable.
