DENVER REAL ESTATE | COLORADO LIFESTYLESThe short answer
A new home’s base price usually describes a starting configuration, not necessarily the home you saw in the model or the finished property you need. The binding answer is in the builder’s written specification, price sheet, and contract. Verify the lot, elevation, structural choices, finishes, appliances, landscaping, and fees before treating the base price as your purchase budget.
Separate the house plan from the actual lot
Ask whether the quoted amount applies to a particular lot and exterior elevation or simply begins the pricing process. Identify lot premiums, site-specific costs, and any required design choices. A corner location, walkout configuration, or different exterior can change the product being priced. Request a written total tied to the lot you want, including anything the builder already selected that cannot be removed.
Audit the model room by room
Use the model as a visual reference while asking which features are standard, optional, or unavailable on your home. Record flooring, cabinetry, counters, lighting, appliances, trim, doors, and bathroom features. Also review less visible items such as electrical provisions, insulation specifications, and heating or cooling equipment. Do not rely on memory after a tour; attach the selection sheet to the comparison so you know what the contract actually includes.
Include the work after closing
Ask about landscaping, irrigation, fencing, window coverings, garage equipment, and any unfinished areas you intend to complete. Check community deadlines and design requirements before assigning a budget. A lower initial price can be reasonable if you knowingly plan to finish items later, but those purchases still require cash and time. Obtain realistic estimates for essential work instead of assuming every omission can be handled inexpensively.
Reconcile the final price with financing
Before signing, compare the selected-home price, allowances, deposits, incentives, and lender figures. Clarify whether unused allowances are refunded and how change orders are priced. Review the builder contract with a Colorado attorney and make sure important inclusions are documented. The useful number is the complete cost of the home you will receive, plus the necessary work remaining, rather than the most prominent starting price in an advertisement.
Your decision checklist
- Tie pricing to the actual lot.
- Mark standard versus optional model features.
- List post-closing completion costs.
- Review selection and change-order deadlines.
- Reconcile final price and lender figures.
Common questions
Are model-home finishes normally guaranteed?
No. Only rely on the written specifications and selections for your purchase.
Is an allowance the same as a fixed included feature?
Not necessarily. Ask what it covers, how overages work, and whether unused amounts are credited or lost under the contract.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked for this guide on October 28, 2026. Reporting periods and effective dates are identified where relevant; linked agencies may update their pages.
- CFPB: Finding the right home and new construction considerations — 2026-10-28
Official source consulted October 28, 2026; verify property-specific documents and current schedules before relying on them.
- Colorado Revised Statutes 2026, Title 12, section 12-10-408.5 — 2026-10-28
Official source consulted October 28, 2026; verify property-specific documents and current schedules before relying on them.
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