What to Look For in Standard Home Inclusions Before You Sign a Contract

What are Standard Inclusions?

Standard inclusions are the fixtures, finishes, and features that come with your home at the base contract price. This can include kitchen cabinetry, flooring, tapware, insulation, electrical fittings, and more. 

The word ‘standard’ can be misleading. What one builder calls standard, another may consider an additional extra or premium feature. This is why it’s vital to read every line of the building contract and ask any questions before you sign. 

Here’s what to look for:

Structural and Insulation Quality

Wall and ceiling insulation ratings, concrete slab specifications, and structural framing all determine the long-term performance and comfort of your home. In Sydney’s climate, thermal performance is important as a poorly insulated home costs significantly more to heat and cool year-round. Ask your builder exactly what insulation rating is included and whether the slab design is appropriate for your specific site conditions. 

Kitchen Inclusions

The kitchen is often the most scrutinised room in a display home, but what you see in a display may not reflect what’s in the standard package. Appliance brands, benchtops, cabinet door profiles, soft-close mechanisms, and splashback materials are all details that can vary between builders. 

Flooring

Many contracts include hard flooring in living areas but revert to carpet or basic tiles in bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms. Confirm what flooring material is included in each room and whether the specification matches what’s in the display. If you’re considering a specific aesthetic, find out whether it’s standard or an upgrade. 

Bathroom and Tapware 

Some builders include semi-frameless shower screens, chrome tapware with limited finish options, and basic ceramic tiles. Others will include larger format tiles, matte or brushed finishes, and elevated detailing as standard. Walk through the display home with a list and confirm what’s part of the standard package and what might be extra.

Facade and External Inclusions

The exterior of your home is the first thing anyone sees, and it significantly impacts both liveability and resale value. Check whether the listed facade is genuinely standard or whether the version you’ve seen in marketing materials carries additional costs. Confirm the external cladding material, door hardware, and whether items like fly screens or security screens are included.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign 

Before signing anything, ensure you’ve asked all the right questions so you’re clear on what’s included. Questions to ask include:

• What is explicitly excluded from the contract price?
• Which inclusions in the display home are upgrades?
• Are site costs capped or estimated?
• What happens if inclusions change between contract and build?
• Who do I speak to if I have questions during the process?

Understanding who the key stakeholders are in a home build and what each one is responsible for will also help you know who to ask and when.

Find Clarity With the Right Team

At IMSU, our design team will walk you through exactly what’s included in your build, why each specification was chosen, and how to customise from there. We’re always clear on what’s a standard inclusion and what’s not.

If you’d like to understand what standard looks like at a premium level,book a free consultation ortour one of our display homes and see it for yourself.