Do You Get Flooring in a New Build? What Buyers Need to Know

• Gavin Whitaker
• |
• June 17
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• new builds

Ever walked through a newly built house and noticed dusty concrete floors, not the sleek hardwood you pictured? That’s more common than you think. Builders often hand over homes with the flooring unfinished, especially in areas like living rooms or bedrooms.

Some buyers get lucky and find carpet or basic vinyl included—usually in cheaper, standard packages. But want something better like luxury laminate or timber? That’s usually an upgrade, not part of the deal. Builders are all about keeping costs low, so unless you negotiate or pay extra, expect the basics only.

This can catch first-time buyers off guard, especially if the shiny model homes are fully decked out. Those are showpieces. The house you’ll be getting may look a lot less polished on move-in day.

• What Developers Usually Provide
• Why Builders Leave Flooring Out
• What Flooring Choices Actually Cost
• Tips for Closing the Deal

What Developers Usually Provide

So, what’s the deal with new build flooring? It really depends on the builder and what area of the house we’re talking about. Most large developers do include some sort of basic floor covering, but it’s rarely high-end. Standard options usually mean low-pile carpet in bedrooms and cheap vinyl or laminate in entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms. If you want tile, hardwood, or plush upgrades, that’s usually not included in the base price.

For kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl or tile is the go-to among most volume builders. In main living areas and bedrooms, cheap carpet is most common, unless you’re buying at the luxury end. Some builders do ‘bare minimum’ and hand over bedrooms and living areas with just a concrete slab. You’ll often have to sort out the nicer flooring yourself—either through the builder for extra cash, or later with your own contractors.

• Entry level new builds: Usually carpet in bedrooms, vinyl or laminate in other rooms.
• Mid-range homes: Might include a few upgrades, like mid-grade carpet or basic tile in wet areas.
• Luxury builds: Often include hardwood or upgraded tile throughout, but you pay for it in the sale price.

A common surprise: model homes almost never show the real included finishes—they’re fully tricked out. Always double check your contract and ask the sales agent exactly what’s included in your price. If it’s not spelled out, it could be an extra charge.

Some builders run promotions where they throw in upgraded flooring as an incentive, often during slow months to tempt buyers. If you’re shopping at the right time, you might snag better finishes at no extra cost—just don’t count on it without getting it in writing.

Why Builders Leave Flooring Out

Builders aren’t leaving out the floors just to be stingy. It’s mostly about flexibility and keeping up with what buyers want (and expect to pay for). When you look at new builds, the base price is designed to grab attention. Cutting out extras, like fancy floors, helps them keep that sticker price low. So, when you see a well-priced new home, remember: those numbers usually assume the most basic finish, or sometimes no finish at all in the living areas.

Another big reason is personal taste. Flooring choices are all over the place—what looks great to one buyer will make another turn up their nose. By leaving things unfinished, builders let buyers customize their new build flooring exactly how they want it, whether that’s plush carpet, modern tile, or classic timber. You get to pick what suits your life and budget, rather than being stuck with someone else’s idea of “standard.”

Supply chain hiccups have made things even more unpredictable. Some builders admit it’s just easier to let the buyer sort flooring after settlement, instead of risking construction hold-ups waiting on delayed products. If a favorite style is suddenly out of stock, finishing the house on time (and getting paid) gets complicated.

There’s also a practical angle. If flooring gets installed too early, it can get damaged during the tail end of construction—paint splatters, dropped tools, or muddy boots are all a risk. Builders would rather hand over a clean slate than deal with complaints about scuffed-up new carpets or marked vinyl.

What Flooring Choices Actually Cost

Here’s where reality bites: choosing your own flooring in a new build flooring situation usually means spending extra. Builders price out different options, and what they call “standard” is often basic carpet or cheap vinyl. Anything else—engineered wood, high-end laminate, or large format tiles—is an upgrade that can really stack up.

Now, how much are we talking about? Typical upgrade costs (for 2025) look something like this per square meter:

Remember, a typical new build has around 80 to 120 m² of floor space. So, going from basic carpet to tile downstairs and laminate upstairs could add thousands to the final bill. Builders often charge more for upgrades than independent fitters, so compare prices if you’re thinking of changing things up after you move in.

Some buyers dodge builder pricing by finishing floors themselves, especially if a friend or family member is handy. Shops like Wickes or B&Q frequently run deals on packs of laminate or carpet. Just don’t forget to factor in underlay, fitting, and any extra materials if you go DIY.

One more thing—builders sometimes offer flooring as a ‘bonus’ if a sale is taking too long. If you’re buying towards the end of a phase, it’s worth asking straight up if they’ll throw in an upgrade or a flooring allowance.

Tips for Closing the Deal

This is where lots of buyers get tripped up, so don’t just trust what you saw in the model home. Before you sign, get every detail in writing about what flooring you’re actually getting. Ask to see the specification sheet, which lists what's included. If flooring isn’t there, don’t assume you’ll get anything fancy—or sometimes even anything at all.

Builders usually offer different flooring packages, from basic to “upgraded,” but the real price difference can be pretty big. According to a 2024 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, about 67% of new builds in major suburbs include cheap carpet or vinyl in bedrooms and halls, but just 31% include tile or hardwood in shared spaces without an upgrade fee.

If you want more say over your floors:

• Negotiate: Some builders will throw in an upgrade to close the sale, especially near year-end when they’re eager to hit targets.
• Get multiple quotes: Ask around, because outside flooring companies usually charge less than the builder for the same materials and install.
• Timing matters: If the builder allows, get quotes for flooring before handover. This can let you move in right away without living in a reno zone.
• Check for hidden costs: Some builders charge extra for floor prep, delivery, or furniture moving—even on their own options.

One last thing—don’t be shy about asking for photos or real-life samples of the actual finishes. Model homes use top-tier stuff that often costs extra, so what you see isn’t always what you’ll get.

Nailing down the new build flooring deal takes a bit of homework, but it’ll save you cash, hassle, and a lot of frustration later.