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What Does Builder Grade Mean?

Denver, Colorado Springs, Grand Junction and other Colorado metropolitan areas have seen massive growth in recent years. Indeed, it seems builders cannot construct new homes fast enough to keep up with the Centennial State's growing population. If you have managed to secure a home in one of Colorado's newest neighborhoods, there is a good chance you have builder-grade materials in every room.


Single-family homes in a new subdivision in the United States
Newly Built Suburban Single-Family Homes

What Are Builder-Grade Materials?

Many construction firms have contracts to build hundreds or even thousands of new homes. These homes often earn a reputation for being "cookie cutter," as they match or bear striking similarities to one another. This is true both inside and outside of homes, as contractors purchase materials in bulk and use them on every home they build. If you have a new home, your probably have builder-grade tile, flooring, countertops, cabinets and other finishes.


Are Builder-Grade Materials Bad?

There is nothing inherently wrong with builder-grade materials, as licensed contractors must comply with strict building codes. Still, builder-grade materials tend to be inexpensive to manufacture. This can affect both quality and durability, obviously. Moreoever, builder-grade materials usually appeal to the broadest spectrum of buyers. This means the builder-grade materials in your home are likely to be neutral and even a touch boring.


Do Builder-Grade Materials Affect Resale Value?

Despite typically being neutral, builder-grade mateirals also can be trendy. Consequently, the tile, flooring and other builder-grade mateirals in your home may look outdated when you try to sell your residence. To combat this and attract discerning homebuyers, savvy homeowners elect to replace builder-grade materials with higher-end products or more stylish.ones. Doing so even might increase your home's resale value by tens of thousands of dollars.


Can You Repair Builder-Grade Materials?

Because they are often made cheaply and with low-quality components, builder-grade materials sometimes do not withstand much wear and tear. Unfortunately, repairing and even replacing builder-grade materials with an exact match can be nearly impossible, as manufacturers regularly change their product lines. Some manufacturers also exclusively to homebuilders and not to homeowners. Accordingly, if your home requires repairs, you might have little choice but to upgrade to a superior material.


If you love the builder-grade materials in your home, there is no pressing reason to replace or upgrade them. Ultimately, though, swapping out builder-grade components for better ones can be a smart investment that also adds a designer touch to your residence.

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