Short answer: Most Utah production builders include a basic kitchen appliance package (often range, dishwasher and microwave) but leave the refrigerator, washer and dryer to the buyer. Front yard landscaping is a toss-up. Some builders include it, many don't, and city or HOA rules often require you to finish it within 6 to 12 months of closing. Blinds, fencing, backyard landscaping and a water softener are usually the buyer's job. A realistic first-year add-on budget for a new Utah home runs $15,000 to $60,000, depending on lot size, plan and how much you do yourself.
That's a wide range. This post narrows it down so there are no surprises after closing.
(One honest note: inclusions vary by builder, community and even individual home. Treat the numbers below as planning ranges, not quotes. The only list that counts is the one in your purchase contract and spec sheet.)
Why "base price" isn't the whole price
A builder's base price covers the house: foundation, framing, roof, mechanicals, standard finishes, and whatever the builder lists as included. It's not wrong to call it a price. It's just not the total price.
New construction has a quirk resale doesn't. Existing homes usually come with window coverings, a fence, grass, and sometimes a fridge. A new home arrives as a blank, wonderful canvas. Dirt out front. No blinds. Maybe no fridge.
None of that is sneaky. It's just how production building works. Landscaping and window coverings depend heavily on personal taste, and builders keep base prices competitive by leaving them out. But if nobody tells you, it feels like a surprise bill.
We'd rather you know now. Seems fair.
What Utah builders typically include (and don't)
Here's the general pattern across Utah's production and semi-custom new-construction market. It's a pattern, not a promise for any specific builder.
| Item | Commonly included? | Typical buyer cost if not |
|---|---|---|
| Range/oven | Usually yes | $0 (or $800–2,000 to upgrade) |
| Dishwasher | Usually yes | $0 (or $600–1,200 to upgrade) |
| Microwave / hood | Often yes | $300–1,000 |
| Refrigerator | Often no | $1,500–3,500 |
| Washer and dryer | Usually no | $1,200–2,800 per pair |
| Front yard landscaping | Varies widely | $8,000–25,000 |
| Backyard landscaping | Usually no | $8,000–30,000+ |
| Fencing | Usually no (sometimes on certain lots) | $3,000–9,000 |
| Window blinds/shades | Usually no | $1,500–7,000 |
| Water softener | Usually no (plumbing loop often roughed in) | $1,000–3,000 |
| Garage door openers | Often yes, sometimes remotes/keypads extra | $0–400 |
| Light fixtures (basic) | Yes | Upgrades vary |
| Ceiling fans | Often no | $150–400 each installed |
Two things stand out. First, appliance packages are the most commonly included add-on, but "appliances included" usually means the cooking and cleaning appliances, not the fridge or laundry. Second, landscaping is the biggest swing factor in the whole budget.
The first-year add-on list, line by line
1. Appliances: the fridge and laundry pair
If your builder includes a range, dishwasher and microwave, you're in good shape. Plan for the rest:
- Refrigerator: $1,500–3,500 for a good French-door model. Counter-depth models that sit flush with cabinets run higher.
- Washer and dryer: $1,200–2,800 for a pair. Check your laundry room dimensions first. Some two-storey plans put laundry upstairs near bedrooms, which is wonderful for daily life but worth measuring for front-loaders and stacked units.
Pro tip: appliance sales cluster around holiday weekends, and many retailers give delivery and haul-away deals for new-home closings. Time your purchase for the week after closing and you'll save a few hundred dollars.
2. Front yard landscaping
This is the line that surprises people most. Front yards in Utah's newer communities often have to be finished within a set window after closing, commonly 6 to 12 months, and it's usually spelled out in your HOA covenants or city requirements. Skip it and you can get letters, and eventually fines.
What drives the cost:
- Lot size and frontage. A narrow townhome lot is a very different project than a corner lot.
- Material choice. Sod is cheaper upfront but thirsty. Water-wise designs with rock, mulch, drought-tolerant plants and drip irrigation cost more to install and less to maintain.
- Grading, edging and sprinkler or drip systems.
- Parkstrip rules. Many Utah cities regulate what can go in the strip between sidewalk and street.
A reasonable planning range for a front yard is $8,000–25,000, with $10,000–15,000 common on standard lots.
Utah has also pushed hard on water conservation. Many cities now limit turf in new construction, particularly in the south, and the state has offered turf-replacement rebates in recent years. Availability and amounts change, so check current programs before you design. If you're building in a place like Hurricane, expect desert-adapted landscaping to be the norm rather than the exception, and ask the city about its current lawn rules before you price anything.
Some builders include front yard landscaping in the price of select homes, or offer it as a package. Ask directly: Is front yard landscaping included, optional, or entirely mine to handle? What does the HOA require, and by when?
3. Backyard and fencing
Most new homes close with a bare backyard: dirt, maybe rough grading. Plan separately for:
- Fencing: $3,000–9,000 depending on linear footage and material (vinyl, composite, wood, or wrought iron where you back onto open space).
- Basic backyard (grass or turf alternative, edging, a patio slab): $8,000–30,000.
- Extras: a pergola, fire pit or play area. These are the fun ones. They can also wait until year two.
Smart move: fence first if you have kids or dogs, and put the yard on a phased schedule. A simple patio and a few trees now beats an overextended full build-out.
4. Blinds and window coverings
Budget $1,500–7,000 depending on home size and style. A two-storey with lots of windows costs more than a compact rambler. Stock faux-wood blinds are the budget route, while custom-sized cellular or motorized shades land at the top.
Don't forget privacy first: bathrooms, bedrooms and street-facing windows. Large living-room windows can wait while you decide what you like. Many Utah homes also benefit from light-filtering or blackout shades on west-facing windows, where summer afternoon sun is no joke.
5. Water softener
Utah water is hard. Many new homes are plumbed with a loop ready for a softener, which saves installation cost, but the equipment is typically yours to buy. Expect $1,000–3,000, plus salt and occasional service. It's one of those purchases you won't regret, because hard water is rough on dishwashers, water heaters and shower glass.
6. The small stuff that adds up
The bills nobody puts in a spreadsheet:
- Ceiling fans, extra lighting, and smart-home gear
- Closet organizers and garage shelving
- A mailbox (sometimes a cluster box is provided, sometimes not)
- Trash and recycling bins (often provided by the city)
- Utility deposits and setup fees
- Homeowners insurance (due at or before closing)
- A first-year HOA fee, which may be due in advance
- Moving costs, painting touch-ups and a first-weekend hardware run
Set aside $2,000–5,000 for this category. It's the one that sneaks up quietly.
Three sample budgets
The "essentials first" plan (~$15,000–22,000): fridge, washer/dryer, basic blinds, a water-wise front yard in a simple design, and a modest fence. Backyard stays as dirt for a season.
The "settled in" plan (~$30,000–40,000): everything above, plus a fully finished backyard, a water softener, ceiling fans and closet systems.
The "dream it all" plan (~$50,000–60,000+): all of the above with upgraded shades, a large patio structure, outdoor lighting and a more elaborate landscape design.
Most families end up between the first two. That's fine. A home is a long project, and nobody needs it all finished by month three.
How to find out what's included before you sign
Ask these questions in writing, and get the answers on your contract or spec sheet:
- Which appliances are included, by brand and model where possible?
- Is the refrigerator included? Washer and dryer?
- Is front yard landscaping included, optional, or required by the HOA?
- What's the HOA or city deadline to complete landscaping?
- Are blinds or window coverings included anywhere (even just the garage or a model-home package)?
- Is the lot fenced, or are there fencing rules or shared fence lines?
- Is the plumbing roughed in for a water softener?
- Is secondary (pressurized) irrigation connected, and who pays for the hookup or meter?
- What closing costs, prepaid items or impact fees are due beyond the base price?
If a builder can't answer these clearly, that's information too.
Quick-move-in homes: a different budget picture
If you buy a move-in-ready or quick-move-in home, the picture can change in your favor. These homes are already built, so the finish selections are made and the timeline is short. That also means you can often see exactly what's included (appliances, flooring, fixtures, sometimes landscaping progress) before you commit, rather than trusting a spec sheet for a home that isn't framed yet.
At Narwhal Homes, move-in-ready inventory is a real part of what we offer across our communities: Eagle Point and Eagle Village in Eagle Mountain, Mitchell Farms in American Fork, South Hills in Herriman, Bell View Estates in Woodland Hills, and Black Ridge in Hurricane. Inclusions differ by community and home, so ask your sales team to walk you through the specifics of the exact address you're considering. We'd rather you ask now than discover later.
Choosing a floor plan affects your add-on budget too. A compact Narwhal rambler means fewer windows to cover and less interior to furnish, while a larger two-storey adds shades and flooring cost but gives your family more room. Browse the eleven animal-named plans, from the Fennec Fox to the Whale Shark, with this budget in mind and not just the base price.
Where the money goes after closing (and a little extra meaning)
Here's the part we love: you're not only building a household. When you buy a Narwhal home, we adopt a narwhal in your honor through the World Wildlife Fund, and a portion of every home supports WWF conservation. You get the home. A narwhal gets a little help. Pretty cool thing you're doing.
And yes, the budget list is still real. A wildly good home deserves a plan that doesn't leave you stressed in month two.
FAQ
Are appliances included in new homes in Utah?
Often partly. Many Utah builders include a range, dishwasher and microwave, but leave the refrigerator and washer/dryer to the buyer. Always confirm with your builder's spec sheet, because packages differ by community and price point.
Is landscaping included in the base price of a new home in Utah?
Usually not, though it varies. Some builders include front yard landscaping on certain homes or offer it as an add-on package. Most leave the backyard to the buyer. Even when the builder doesn't include it, your HOA or city may require you to finish the front yard within a set time.
How much does front yard landscaping cost for a new home in Utah?
Plan on roughly $8,000 to $25,000, with many standard lots landing around $10,000 to $15,000. Water-wise designs often cost more to install but save on water bills. Your lot size, design and local irrigation rules all matter.
What are the biggest hidden costs of buying a new home?
Landscaping, fencing, window coverings, the refrigerator and laundry pair, a water softener, and closing-related items like prepaid insurance and HOA fees. These typically total $15,000 to $60,000 in the first year.
Do new homes in Utah come with blinds?
Usually not. Most buyers install their own after closing, at a cost of roughly $1,500 to $7,000 depending on size and style.
How long do I have to finish my landscaping?
It depends on your HOA covenants and city rules, but 6 to 12 months after closing is common. Check your closing documents so you know your deadline.
Can I roll these costs into my mortgage?
Generally not for post-closing items like blinds or landscaping, though some builder-offered packages or specific loan products may allow certain items. Ask your lender early so you know what to save for in cash.
The bottom line
A new Utah home's base price is the beginning of the budget, not the end. Expect appliances to be partly covered, landscaping to be your next big project, and blinds, fencing and the small stuff to land on your list. Plan for $15,000 to $60,000 in the first year, phase the extras, and get every inclusion in writing.
Have questions about what's included in a specific Narwhal community or quick-move-in home? Reach out through narwhalhomes.com and we'll walk you through it. No pressure, no jargon. 🐋