The five best optional extras to include when building a new house 

Display homes look good for a reason. Not only are they professionally styled, they are also decked out with lots of optional extras – upgrades that will hike up the base price of a project home.

It’s not uncommon for home buyers to hanker after some of these extras, but it pays – often quite literally – to choose upgrades that offer either excellent value in terms of lifestyle amenity, or a great return on investment when it comes time to sell.

Domain spoke to some industry insiders to discover the best five optional extras.

• Read more: The ultimate guide to building a new home

1. Sustainable design

From solar panels and solar hot water systems to double glazing, LED downlights and ceiling fans, our industry experts believe spending money on sustainable design will pay a double dividend for the home owner, first with lower bills and then with a well-regarded asset on resale.

“Our research tells us that sustainability is becoming an increasingly important aspect of owning a home,” says Chelsey Quartermain, general manager of houseandland.com.au. “Ninety-five per cent of millennials and baby boomers consider sustainability to be an important feature, so anything that keeps your house sustainable and environmentally friendly is going to be of big value.”

Arden Homes director Dean Morrison says buyers should also pay attention to the orientation of the floor plan. He believes it’s worthwhile flipping the floor plan if that will improve the aspect in the living areas.

• Read more: How to choose a home design

2. Kitchen and bathroom upgrades

ME Bank chief risk officer Carlo Cataldo says it’s best to think about extras that have broad appeal.

“If you’re looking for bang for your buck, spending extra to upgrade appliances in areas that are frequently used such as your kitchen can add impact to the finished product and appeal to most buyers,” he says.

Simon Croft, HIA’s executive director of building, agrees.

“The kitchen is most often the heart of the home, and it’s where you’ll spend a lot of your time,” he says. “For this reason, it can be a good idea to spend a little extra on this space. Kitchen benchtops are a large feature of any house, and therefore it’s wise to choose a material that’s hard-wearing and timeless.”

Croft says buying quality appliances can be expensive, but advises choosing the best you can afford within your budget.

“Good appliances are worth every cent in the long run,” he says.

Cataldo says bathrooms can also be finessed with minor upgrades.

“Contemporary features such as upgrading to frameless or semi-frameless shower screens may be worth the extra cost,” he says.

• Read more: How much it costs to build a brand new home

3. Heating and cooling

Anchor Homes project consultant Laurie Raikes says ducted or split-system airconditioners are tricky to retro-fit and are best installed during the build. They are also a great selling point with Australia’s increasingly extreme weather.

Cataldo says airconditioning is a great example of an upgrade that will make a home more liveable now and also add value for resale.

“Airconditioning will generally add value on par with its cost,” he says. “While the initial cost can be high, it’s no longer considered a luxury inclusion and may impact marketability further down the track.”

Craig Gemmill, managing director of Gemmill Homes, says gas feature fireplaces are making a comeback.

“They add warmth but also are aesthetically pleasing and are a great feature in the home,” he says.

• Read more: How to choose a builder

4. Outdoor living

Raikes strongly recommends home buyers include an outdoor living space in their new build.

“Outdoor living is a no-brainer, something covered is preferable,” he says.

Croft says more and more home owners are looking explicitly for homes that have a dedicated socialising area outdoors.

“A well-designed garden is a well-used garden, and can make the perfect spot for enjoying summer evenings,” he says. “One way to make the most of outside space is to add an undercover al fresco area. With the added benefit of an outdoor dining option, you’ll increase your home’s value and create a real selling point.”

• Read more: How to renovate outdoor areas

5. A garage or carport

In this car-dependent world, it may be surprising to know many house and land packages don’t include car parking as standard, but it’s an optional extra you should give serious consideration to.

“While garages used to be a luxury, they’re becoming a much more common property feature,” says Croft. “With a garage comes options and flexibility for both parking and indoor space, and with flexibility comes added value.”

Raikes has had feedback from real estate agents confirming that a garage or carport definitely adds value to a property and if you build it at the same time as your new home, it will match your house perfectly.

“Having an undercover car space or two is something that all prospective buyers will love and it will also bump up the value of your modular home,” he says.

• Read more: Where to start when building a new home