Touring a model home in Utah works best when you treat it as a research visit, not a showroom stroll. Before you go, decide what you want to learn. When you're there, check the home's real dimensions and flow, ask which items are upgrades rather than base price, and ask how to evaluate floor plans that aren't on site. Leave with a written list of what's included, what isn't, and which quick-move-in homes are available.
Model homes are designed to make you fall in love. That's their job, and it's a good one. Your job is to fall in love with your eyes open. Here's how.
Before You Go: 15 Minutes of Prep
You'll get more out of the visit if you show up with a few things sorted.
- Know your rough budget and monthly comfort zone. Not to share with anyone, just so you can tell when a upgrade conversation is drifting out of range. (No judgment here. Every budget is a real budget.)
- Write down your three non-negotiables. Bedrooms, a main-floor primary suite, a three-car garage, a big yard. Whatever they are, put them in your phone.
- Pick two or three floor plans to look at. Browse the Narwhal Homes plans online first so you walk in with questions instead of a blank slate.
- Check the community, not just the house. Utah communities vary a lot in commute, lot sizes, and views. Eagle Mountain, American Fork, Herriman, Woodland Hills, and Hurricane all feel different.
- Bring a tape measure and your phone. Photos of everything, plus measurements of your biggest furniture.
The Walkthrough Checklist: What to Look For
1. Start outside
Stand on the street first. Look at the lot, the neighboring homes, and the direction the house faces. In Utah, orientation matters: a west-facing back patio can be wonderful in October and brutal in July.
Ask yourself:
- Where does the sun hit the back of the home in the afternoon?
- How close are the neighbors?
- Is there a slope, and where does water go?
2. Walk the flow, not the furniture
Model homes are staged to look spacious. Ignore the decor and notice how you'd actually move through a day.
- Walk from the garage door to the kitchen with pretend groceries. Is the path easy?
- Stand at the kitchen sink. Can you see the living room and the kids' spot?
- Where does the dining table really go? Measure it.
- Open the pantry, the linen closet, the coat closet. Is there storage for real life?
3. Check the rooms you'll use every day
Kitchen: Count the counter space between the stove and sink. Open the drawers and cabinets. Note the island size and whether stools fit comfortably.
Primary suite: Stand where your bed would go. Check the closet depth and whether the bathroom has a door, a separate toilet area, and enough room for two people at 7 a.m.
Secondary bedrooms: Measure them. A queen bed plus a dresser is a good test.
Laundry: Where is it, and is there space for a folding surface? Upstairs laundry in a two-storey is a small thing that changes daily life.
Garage: Check depth and width. Will your truck, SUV, or bikes fit with room to open doors?
4. Look up, down, and around
- Ceiling heights and any vaulted areas
- Window count and natural light in each room
- Outlet placement (are there enough, and are they where you'd use them?)
- Stairs: width, steepness, and where they land
- Sound: stand in the living room and listen for what you can hear from upstairs
5. Notice the details that signal quality
Look at the finishes up close: paint lines, trim joints, cabinet hardware, flooring transitions, and grout. Ask about the insulation, windows, and HVAC. Those aren't glamorous, but they affect your utility bills for years.
How to Spot Upgrades That Aren't in the Base Price
This is the question first-timers most often wish they'd asked sooner. Model homes are usually furnished and finished to show the best a floor plan can look, which often includes upgrades. That's normal. It just means you need to ask what's standard and what's optional.
Ask the direct question
At nearly every feature, try this: "Is this included in the base price, or is it an upgrade?"
Ask it about the big visible things, and keep asking as you go. It's not rude. Sales teams expect it.
Common items that are often upgrades in model homes
Use this as a mental checklist of places to double-check:
| Area | What to ask about |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Countertop material, cabinet style and height, backsplash, appliance package, island size, pot filler |
| Flooring | Hard surface vs. carpet, upgraded plank, tile in baths and laundry |
| Lighting | Recessed lighting, pendant fixtures, ceiling fans |
| Windows & doors | Extra windows, sliding or folding patio doors, upgraded front door |
| Ceilings & walls | Vaulted or raised ceilings, tray ceilings, accent walls, wainscoting |
| Bathrooms | Frameless shower, soaking tub, double vanity, tile surrounds |
| Exterior | Elevation style, stone or brick accents, covered patio, landscaping, fencing |
| Structure | Extended garage, extra bedroom, finished basement, optional bonus room |
| Tech & systems | Wiring, smart-home features, EV charger prep, water softener |
Look for these clues
- Elevation: The exterior you're admiring may be one of several. Ask which elevation is standard.
- Furniture-hidden details: Staged built-ins, window treatments, and decor are almost never included.
- Ceilings and lighting: If a room feels dramatic, check whether the ceiling treatment or lighting package is optional.
- Garage and patio: Sizes and covers vary, and these are often add-ons.
- Landscaping and fencing: Model yards are fully landscaped. Yours may not be at closing.
Get it in writing
Ask for a standard features list for the specific floor plan and community, plus a price sheet for options. Compare the two against what you saw. If the salesperson says "that's pretty standard," ask them to point to it on the list.
A useful move: take a photo of each feature you love and write "standard" or "upgrade" next to it before you leave.
What Isn't Included (Beyond Finishes)
Upgrades are one thing. There are also costs that sit outside the home's price entirely. Ask about each so nothing surprises you later.
- Lot premiums: Some homesites cost more because of size, view, or location.
- Window coverings: Blinds and curtains are commonly the buyer's job.
- Landscaping and fencing: Ask what's included at closing.
- Appliances: Confirm which ones come with the home, especially washer, dryer, and refrigerator.
- Closing costs, HOA dues, and impact fees: Ask for an estimate of each.
- Property taxes and utilities: Ask what to expect in that specific community.
- Interior design selections: Ask how and when you choose them, and whether certain palettes or packages are included.
Narwhal Homes uses designer-curated floor plans and design palettes, which is part of the "custom feel without the headache" idea. You get thoughtful choices without starting from a blank sheet. Ask what's in each palette and what costs extra to change.
How to Ask About the Floor Plans You Can't Walk Through
Here's the honest reality: a model home shows you one plan, maybe two. Narwhal has eleven named floor plans, from ramblers to two-storeys to Townhomes, and you won't see them all in person. That's okay. You can still evaluate them well.
Ask for the right materials
- Full floor plan drawings with room dimensions
- Elevation options and exterior renderings
- Virtual tours or 3D walkthroughs, if available
- Photos from completed homes of the same plan
- A list of what changed between the model and the standard version
Ask these questions
- "Which rooms in this plan are most similar in size to what I'm seeing here?"
- "Is there a finished home of this plan I can walk through?"
- "What are the ceiling heights, and where are they different from the model?"
- "How does this plan sit on the lot in my community?"
- "What are the structural options, like an extra bedroom, a larger garage, or a different primary suite layout?"
- "How does this plan feel next to the model I'm standing in? Bigger, smaller, more open?"
Use the model as a ruler
If you love the kitchen in the model, measure it, then compare it to the dimensions on the plan you can't see. Tape out the primary bedroom on your living room floor at home. Square footage on paper means little until you've felt it.
Ask about move-in-ready homes
This is a big one. Narwhal has move-in-ready (quick-move-in) homes, which means you can often walk through the actual house you'd buy. No imagination required. Ask:
- Which quick-move-in homes are available right now?
- What plans and communities are they in?
- What finishes are already selected?
- What's the closing timeline?
If you want certainty, timing, and a real-life walkthrough, this can be a wonderfully practical option.
Questions to Ask Before You Leave
Keep this short list on your phone.
About the home
- What's standard in this plan, and what's an upgrade?
- Which elevation and finish package is included in the base price?
- What warranty comes with the home?
- What energy-efficiency features are standard?
About the community
- What's planned nearby, such as parks, schools, and roads?
- What are the HOA dues, and what do they cover?
- Which homesites are available, and what are the lot premiums?
About the process
- What are the steps from contract to closing?
- When do I make design selections?
- What's the estimated timeline for a build, versus a quick-move-in?
- What deposits are required, and when?
About the company
- Does a portion of the purchase support a conservation cause? (At Narwhal, yes. We adopt a narwhal in your honor through the World Wildlife Fund. Pretty cool thing you're doing.)
After the Tour: A 10-Minute Debrief
Do this in the car, while it's fresh.
- Rate each home 1 to 5 on layout, light, storage, and feel.
- Write down every upgrade you loved and its price.
- List questions you forgot to ask.
- Compare the total, including options and lot premium, to your budget.
- Decide whether to see a second plan, a different community, or a quick-move-in home.
Then sleep on it. A good home still feels good the next morning.
FAQ
Do I need an appointment to tour a model home in Utah?
Often you can walk in during open hours, but checking ahead is smart. Hours vary by community, and an appointment means a sales team member can spend real time with you.
Is the model home exactly what I'd get?
Not usually. Models are typically staged and often include upgrades. Ask for the standard features list to see what comes with the base price.
Can I tour a home that's already built?
Yes, if there's quick-move-in inventory. Narwhal Homes offers move-in-ready homes, so you may be able to walk through the exact home you'd buy.
How many model homes should I visit?
Two or three is plenty for a first round. Seeing different plans helps you figure out what you actually like, but too many blur together.
What should I bring?
A tape measure, your phone for photos, your non-negotiables list, and your furniture dimensions. A partner or friend helps, too.
Are options and upgrades negotiable?
That depends on the community and timing. It never hurts to ask what's available, including any current promotions on quick-move-in homes.
Why does the price in the ad differ from what I'm quoted?
Advertised prices usually reflect a base home. Lot premiums, elevations, and upgrades change the final number. Ask for a total with everything you want included.
Ready to Take a Look?
You don't need to be an expert to tour a model home. You need a few good questions, a tape measure, and permission to ask "is that included?" as many times as you like.
Browse the Narwhal Homes floor plans, check out our communities in Eagle Mountain, American Fork, Herriman, Woodland Hills, and Hurricane, and ask about move-in-ready homes. We're proud to be a 2026 Parade of Homes participant, and we'd love to show you around.
Wildly good homes for wildly good people. 🐋
Visit narwhalhomes.com to find a model home near you.