Builder-grade home features offer a solution for many buyersbut they come with benefits and downsides, like any construction.
Builder-grade features have historically received a bad reputation, saysChrista Kenin, real estate agent at Douglas Elliman.
We immediately think of small tiles,vinyl tubs, and thin-paneled cabinets.
Credit: Dan Reynolds Photography / Getty Images
However, these days builder-grade features can be a positive thing and an opportunity for buyers.
Builder-grade features exist to get the job done, saysBryson Taggart, agent partner at Opendoor.
Builder-grade is typically another term for base grade, saysMatt Bradyof Northwest Home Team.
to make it do so and still be profitable, they use inexpensive materials with limited color choices.
AgentJeremy Kammof Coldwell Banker Warburg describes builder-grade as lower but passable quality.
Builder-grade refers to the most simplistic of materials, he says.
For all intents and purposes, its the bare minimum in terms of quality and uniqueness.
While perfectly acceptable and in new working order, there will be no extras or fancy features.
Many experts say that while builder-grade features might be less expensive, they arent low quality.
An example would be builder-grade granite is still a great choice since it is highly durable and nice looking.
Do Builder-Grade Homes Last?
Take cabinets, for example.
Builder-grade cabinets are often made of particle board with a melamine finish, he says.
They usually wont have the soft close feature.
The bones of the home are the key to the life expectancy of the home, he says.
Namely, the materials and finishes used are of a quality level that is considered widely accepted.
Additionally, builder-grade bathroom floors and fixtures can work well for buyers.
I had a buyer use mostly all builder-grade finishes in a track-built neighborhood, Jakubowski says.
Plus, when it comes to price, builder-grade products are less expensive overall.
There is a direct correlation between builder-grade finishes and price, Jakubowski says.
The more builder-grade products, the lower the price.
Likewise, the more custom finishes, the higher the price.
Down the road,a builder-grade home can be upgradedwhen the buyer can tackle these projects.
First-time home buyers have an avenue to home ownership and are able to remodel as their income increases.
I dont believe there is a drawback as these homes fill an important need in the market.
If youre looking for a custom home thats less cookie-cutter, builder-grade might not be your taste.
I suggest homebuyers choose a good buyers agent to represent them with a builder, Jakubowski adds.
