There are certain things that are supposedly not appropriate to talk about in public. One of those things is how much you spent on something you recently purchased. And while you may not want to talk to a lot of people about what you spent for upgrades to your New Jersey home, you should talk to your builder about it. You need to know what you’re getting for the money you spend. And you need to know exactly what it’s going to cost to finish your home exactly the way you want it to be. 

But when you start comparing costs between builders, you need to make sure that everyone is on the same page. Some builders offer a lower price and then hit you with upgrade prices on things that (we think) should be included as standard items in any upscale home. 

For instance, if you’re considering building in the Montgomery, NJ area, here are some of the standard features you’ll find in our Fox Brook at Montgomery homes.

• 3-Car side-entry garages
• Garage door openers with keypad
• 9’ Poured-concrete foundations
• Dramatic 9’ first floor ceilings
• Beautiful Morning Rooms (where shown)
• Andersen® High-Performance™ ENERGY STAR® – compliant tilt-wash double-hung windows
• Stainless Steel appliances
• Practical Pantries
• Granite Countertops
• Attic fan
• Hardwood flooring in LR, DR, Foyer, Kitchen, Breakfast Area, Morning Room and upper hall (where shown)
• 10-year warranty

If you’re thinking that you’d like to build in Hillsborough, here are the outstanding features that are included in your base price.

• Gourmet Chef’s Kitchens with GE Appliances including Double Wall Ovens, Granite-Topped Island, Pantry, and 42″ Custom Crafted Cabinetry
• Elegant Hardwood Flooring in Foyer, Living & Dining Rooms, Kitchen and Breakfast Room
• Andersen® High-Performance™ ENERGY STAR® – compliant tilt-wash double-hung windows 
• Luxurious Sunken Family Rooms with Wood-Burning Fire Places (select models)
• Dramatic 9′ First Floor Ceilings
• Beautiful Crown Moulding in Living Room, Dining Room and Upper Foyer
• Master Bath Soaking Tubs and Elongated Commodes
• Ceramic Tiled Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms
• Full Brick Front Elevations with Quoins and Brick Soldering (where shown)
• High Efficiency 2-Zone Heating and Air Conditioning – Public Utilities
• Basement Waterproofing System
• 10-Year Protection with Home Buyers Warranty Corporation 

Of course, just because there are so many great standard features doesn’t mean you can’t add your own personal touches to these great homes.  Here’s a partial list of the things you can add to the basic plans—and roughly what they’ll cost. 

• Front Door & Sidelights with Decorative Glass: $1400
• Wide Plank Oak Hardwood in Family Room: $4,500
• Foyer Staircase Oak Treads & Iron Balusters: $3,000
• Fireplace Marble Surround and Hearth: $384
• Interior Door Satin Nickel Hardware: $650
• 18x18 Tile Floor in Kitchen: $5,000
• Carpeting in All Bedrooms: $2,000
• Full Brick Façade (Level 2): $950
• Master Bath: $6,000
• Kitchen: $18,000 

You may not want to tell the whole world what you’re spending on your home, but you can talk about it with your builder. We’re happy to be open and honest with you about what’s available and exactly what it costs, because nobody likes getting surprises at the end of a deal!