Display Home Upgrades vs Standard Inclusions — What Builders Don't Show You
Walking through a display home is exciting — but what you're seeing often costs $30,000–$80,000 more than the 'from' price on the sign. Here's what to look out for.
The Display Home Is a Marketing Tool
Builders invest hundreds of thousands of dollars fitting out display homes to their highest specification. The goal is to help you imagine living there — and to anchor your expectations at a premium level. The base price quoted rarely reflects what you're walking through.
This isn't dishonest — it's marketing. But understanding what's standard versus what's upgraded is one of the most important skills a new home buyer can develop.
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Common Display Home Upgrades to Watch For
1. Flooring
Many display homes feature timber-look hybrid flooring or wide-format tiles throughout. Standard inclusions often cover only basic ceramic tiles to wet areas and budget carpet to living zones. Upgrading to hybrid flooring throughout a 4-bedroom home can add $8,000–$18,000.
2. Ceiling Heights
Display homes commonly showcase 2590mm (31-course) or 2700mm ceilings. Most builders' base prices include 2440mm (28-course) or 2550mm ceilings. The upgrade to 31-course typically adds $1,500–$4,000 per storey.
3. Stone Benchtops
Stone benchtops (porcelain or natural stone) to kitchen and bathrooms are one of the most common display upgrades. Standard inclusions often specify laminate benchtops. Stone typically adds $3,000–$8,000 depending on thickness and builder. Note: engineered stone benchtops are banned in Australia from 1 July 2024.
4. Air Conditioning
Ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning is a centrepiece of most display homes. Many base packages include only a single split system or no air conditioning at all. Full ducted AC can add $8,000–$20,000 to the contract.
5. Feature Facades
The streetscape of a display home is often a premium facade option — Hamptons, Coastal, Modern or customised elevations with feature cladding, render, and brickwork combinations. Standard facades are simpler. Feature facades can add $5,000–$20,000+.
6. Alfresco Tiling
Large format tiled alfresco areas are a common display feature. Many base packages include a plain concrete slab for the alfresco, with tiling as an upgrade. Tiled alfresco: $2,000–$6,000.
7. Landscaping
Display homes often have fully landscaped gardens, turf, driveways and feature planting. Almost no volume builder includes landscaping in their standard package. Budget $15,000–$40,000 for a fully landscaped block.
8. Soft-Close Cabinetry & Undermount Sinks
These are premium touches visible throughout display kitchens and bathrooms. Some builders include soft-close as standard; many don't. Check the inclusions list carefully.
Tip
- QCan you walk me through every item in this display that is NOT included in the base price?
- QWhat ceiling height is included — and what does it cost to upgrade?
- QIs the flooring in this display standard or upgraded?
- QIs the air conditioning shown included in the base price?
- QWhat facade option is this — is it the standard or a premium upgrade?
How to Compare Builders Fairly
The only way to compare builders accurately is to compare inclusions, not prices. A builder quoting $380,000 with stone benchtops, ducted AC, and hybrid flooring included may represent better value than a builder quoting $340,000 with none of those features.
Our comparison tool lets you see exactly what's included across multiple builders side by side — before you visit a display village or sign anything.
See What Different Builders Include as Standard
Compare builder inclusions in your area — stone benchtops, AC, flooring, ceilings and more.
The Total Cost of Display Home Upgrades
| Upgrade | Typical Cost to Add |
|---|---|
| Hybrid flooring throughout | $8,000–$18,000 |
| Stone benchtops | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Ducted air conditioning | $8,000–$20,000 |
| Feature facade | $5,000–$20,000 |
| 31-course ceiling heights | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Alfresco tiling | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Landscaping & driveway | $15,000–$40,000 |
| Soft-close cabinetry | $500–$2,000 |
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