The Power of Planning: How Finalizing Finish Selections Early Saves You Money
- Shelly Straub
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
When it comes to home renovations or new builds, most people expect the big decisions to revolve around budgets, blueprints, and builder timelines. But there’s another factor that directly impacts your project’s cost, speed, and success—your finish selections.
Fixtures. Trim profiles. Cabinet styles. Door hardware. Lighting. Appliances & more. Finalizing all your selections before we swing a single hammer might seem like a lot of upfront work, but trust us—it’s one of the smartest moves you can make as a homeowner.
Here’s why:
🧱 1. Locked-in Decisions = Locked-in Pricing
When selections are made early, we can:
Order materials at today’s prices (before market rates fluctuate)
Avoid premium rush shipping fees or costly expedited labor
Reduce change orders, which often come with both time and cost impacts
🔧 2. Fewer Delays During Construction
Selections drive the workflow. Cabinets determine plumbing and electric rough-ins. Tile choices influence waterproofing details. Sinks influence countertop templating. Lighting layout affects framing. When we have everything selected in advance, your schedule flows smoothly.Without decisions made, work can stall—leading to extended timelines and higher labor costs.
🗂️ 3. Avoid Design Re-dos
When homeowners delay decisions, or change their minds midstream, it can lead to:
Reordering materials (and paying double shipping)
Demolishing recently installed work
Rerouting plumbing or electrical. These are avoidable costs that eat into your budget and peace of mind.
💬 4. Better Coordination Between Trades
When all selections are documented before we begin, our team can coordinate efficiently with plumbers, electricians, tile installers, and finish carpenters—so no one is standing around waiting for answers or fixing layout errors later.
🏠 Owner Tip: Create a Selections Binder or Digital Folder
Whether you’re working with a designer or making choices yourself, keep a running list of all your selections along with all the specification (cut) sheets, and don't forget the inspiration photos and brand preferences!
When you bring these to the table early, your builder becomes your best advocate for making it all come together.
If you're ready to get your list together, we've created a handy checklist to add to your folder.
🛠️ At Dunham Construction…
We believe that great construction begins long before demo day. When you’re clear about your vision and decisive with your selections, we can deliver a smooth process, a tighter budget, and a finished product you’ll love. And if you need help choosing your selections, we can refer excellent interior designer professionals to help!
Thinking about a renovation or new build?
Let’s talk about timelines, selections, and what it means to build with clarity and care. Contact us today.
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