New-construction finish selections in Tampa
A design center appointment gives you a few hours to make decisions you'll live with for twenty years. Walking in with a plan, a palette and a list of what's worth upgrading turns that afternoon into something manageable.
Who this is for
- You're building in a new community and selections are coming up
- The builder's standard package doesn't fit the furniture you own
- You want to know which upgrades matter and which to do later
- A custom or semi-custom build with an open finish schedule
- Lighting and outlet locations are due before drywall
- You're buying a spec home and the builder allows changes
What we handle
Finish palette
Flooring, cabinets, counters, backsplash, tile and paint chosen as a set rather than one at a time.
Upgrade strategy
Where builder pricing is fair, where it isn't, and what's hard to change later versus easy.
Electrical and lighting plan
Fixture locations, switching, outlets and ceiling fans marked up before the walk.
Design center support
Attending selection appointments and keeping the decisions consistent with the plan.
Post-closing plan
Window treatments, lighting upgrades and furnishing scheduled around your closing date.
How selections run
- Review the plans. Floor plan, elevations and the builder's option list, with your furniture and routines in mind.
- Set the palette. A direction for flooring, cabinets, counters, tile and paint that works across the whole house.
- Decide upgrades. Which builder options are worth the money, which to decline and do after closing, and what to add outside the builder.
- Attend the appointment. Selections made with you at the design center or with the builder's finish schedule.
- Plan the rest. Lighting, window treatments and furnishing lined up so the house isn't bare on move-in day.
What affects the price
- Production builder with a fixed option list versus a custom build with open selections.
- Square footage and number of baths.
- Whether we attend appointments or prepare a selection guide for you to use.
- Whether the electrical and lighting plan is included.
You get a written scope and design fee before any design work starts.
Building in Tampa Bay
Wesley Chapel, Land O' Lakes, Riverview and Apollo Beach are among the fastest-growing new-home areas in the country, and most buyers there face the same two or three design center appointments. The standard packages are designed to be inoffensive, which is different from being right for your house. Tile throughout, light cabinets and a quartz counter is a sensible Florida baseline; the plan is about which few places to spend beyond it.
Timing is the other issue. Lighting locations, outlets and plumbing roughs are locked before drywall, long before most people think about furniture. Deciding where the sofa and bed go early is what gets the switches and sconces in the right place.
Common questions
Can you come to my builder's design center?
Yes. Attending selection appointments is part of the service when you want it.
Which builder upgrades are worth it?
Generally the ones that are expensive to change later: flooring, cabinets, plumbing locations, ceiling height and electrical. Lighting fixtures, mirrors and hardware are usually cheaper to do after closing.
Do you work with custom builders too?
Yes. Custom and semi-custom builds have more open selections, which makes a plan more useful, not less.
What if I've already signed off on some selections?
We work from what's locked and plan the rest around it.
Related services
Areas we serve
New-construction finishes across Tampa and these nearby communities: