When buyers tour model homes in Kansas City, they usually fall in love with the…
What Does “Base Price” Mean in New Construction Homes?
What Does “Base Price” Mean in New Construction Homes?
When you begin exploring new construction homes in Kansas City, you’ll hear builders refer to something called the “base price”. But what does that actually include, and how does it shape your overall budget?
Understanding base price is one of the most important steps in comparing Kansas City home builders, evaluating value, and planning your investment with confidence. Here’s a clear, simplified breakdown of what it means at Comerio Homes.
🔍 What Is a Base Price?
The base price is the starting price for a new construction home and includes a defined list of standard features, in other words, what your home comes with before any upgrades or homesite costs. At Comerio Homes, these are called our Included Features.
Think of base price as the foundation of both your home and your financial plan.
What’s Included in the Base Price?
Our base price typically includes:
- 9’ foundation walls
- 2-car garage
- Tile flooring in the primary bathroom
- Quality cabinetry and countertops
- Standard lighting and plumbing fixtures
…and more.
💡 Tip: When comparing builders, always request a list of included features. One builder’s “standard” is another builder’s upgrade.
💰 Why Do Builders List a Low Base Price?
Many builders list a low base price to attract buyers, but that number may not reflect the realistic cost of building the home you actually want. For example, features that we include standard, like granite countertops in larger plans, may cost thousands more with other builders.
Comerio Example:
- Granite countertops are standard in many of our larger floor plans.
- Other builders may charge $5,000–$10,000 to include that same feature.
A lower base price can look appealing but often comes with fewer included features and more surprise costs later.
❌ What’s Not Included in a Base Price?
The base price gives you a strong starting point, but it generally does not include:
- Homesite cost (lot cost)
- Site development (rock excavation, soil conditions, piering)
- Personalized upgrades (expanded garages, flooring choices, custom features)
Site-related expenses vary significantly in new construction homes in Kansas City, depending on the land, utilities, soil type, slope, and city requirements.
📘 For a full breakdown, download our New Home Pricing Guide
📊 How Pricing Works with Base Price
Here’s a simplified example of how your total home cost is calculated:
| Item | Cost |
| Base Price (with Included Features) | $300,000 |
| Homesite (Lot) Cost | $100,000 |
| Buyer-Selected Options & Upgrades | $50,000 |
| Total Estimated Home Price | $450,000 |
With this structure, you can plug in the homesite cost and your selected options to create a clear, accurate budget.
🔄 Why Base Prices Can Change
Base prices are updated periodically to reflect materials, labor, and market conditions. This is especially true as Kansas City new home inventory adjusts throughout the year.
Updating base prices ensures we:
- Stay aligned with real construction costs
- Maintain fairness across all plans and buyers
- Deliver consistent quality and value
🏡 How to Compare Builders Using Base Price
A base price is helpful, but it’s only meaningful when you know what’s included. When evaluating a builder, be sure to:
- Look beyond the headline number
- Request the included features list
- Compare upgrade options and pricing
- Ask about timeline expectations and selections process
- Review community-specific requirements in Kansas City new home communities
At Comerio Homes, we make this comparison easy with:
- Transparent pricing
- Clear specifications
- A guided, streamlined design process
👉 Explore our Design Center to see how we make building your dream home a breeze.
✅ Why Base Price Benefits You
Base price provides a consistent starting point for:
- Budgeting your new home
- Calculating total cost
- Securing financing faster
- Understanding standard vs. optional features
- Comparing builders accurately
👉 Explore Floor Plans & Base Pricing
📘 Learn More
For a deeper look at timelines, selections, and construction stages, download our New Home Handbook, it walks you through every step from contract to closing.
📘 Get the New Home Handbook
Ready to Build Your Dream Home?
If you’re evaluating new construction builders in Kansas City or beginning your research for your next home, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Visit www.comeriohomes.com to browse floor plans, learn more about our process, or contact us to schedule a discovery meeting.
📖 Additional Resources:
The Ultimate BOYL Guide
New Home Handbook
Pricing Guide
🤝 Connect with us:
📞 Call us at (913) 270-2871
📱 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
👥 Popular Facebook Groups you should join:
Kansas City New Construction Homes
Kansas City Custom Homes
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