Buying a new construction home comes with a long list of questions, and one of the most practical is a budgeting one: are appliances included in new construction homes, or is that another cost to plan for on top of everything else? The honest answer is that it depends on the builder, and the specifics live in your purchase agreement. This guide covers what is usually included, what typically is not, and exactly what comes standard in a Value Built Homes home.
Key Takeaways
- Whether new construction homes come with appliances depends on the builder, and your purchase agreement is the document that defines exactly what is included.
- Built-in appliances like the range and dishwasher are more often included than freestanding ones like the refrigerator and washer and dryer.
- A refrigerator is frequently left out of a builder’s base package, so a standard included refrigerator is a real point of difference.
- Every Value Built Homes home includes a full kitchen appliance package: an energy-efficient refrigerator, a built-in dishwasher, a stove and oven range, and an over-the-range microwave.
- Washers and dryers are not part of the standard Value Built Homes package, so plan to budget for those separately.
- ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators are about 9 percent more efficient than the federal minimum standard and can save about $150 over the appliance’s 12-year lifetime, according to ENERGY STAR.
What Appliances Are Typically Included in a New Home Build?
There is no universal standard for appliances in new construction. What you get depends on the builder and the package you choose, and your purchase agreement is the document that spells it out. As a general rule, built-in appliances are more likely to be included than freestanding ones, but every builder draws the line in a slightly different place.
A simple way to predict what comes with the house is to sort appliances into two groups:
- Built-in appliances: These are installed as part of the home’s construction and connect to plumbing, gas, or dedicated wiring. A range (stove and oven), a built-in dishwasher, and an over-the-range microwave or vent hood fall into this group, and they are more often part of the base package.
- Freestanding appliances: These simply plug in and can move with you. A refrigerator, a washer, and a dryer are the common examples. Because they are treated more like personal property, builders often leave them out unless they are bundled into an appliance package.
This is a general tendency, not a guarantee. Items like garbage disposals and window blinds vary widely from one builder to the next. The only reliable way to know what a specific builder provides is to read the appliance section of your contract.
Here is how appliance inclusions usually break down in new construction, alongside what comes standard in a Value Built Homes home:
| Item | New construction (general tendency) | Value Built Homes |
|---|---|---|
| Range / stove (built-in) | Often included | Included, standard |
| Dishwasher (built-in) | Often included | Included, standard |
| Over-the-range microwave / vent hood | Sometimes included | Included, standard |
| Refrigerator (freestanding) | Often not included unless part of a package | Included, standard (the differentiator) |
| Washer and dryer | Usually not included | Not part of the standard package |
General industry tendencies, not guarantees. Confirm the exact list in your own purchase agreement. The Value Built Homes column reflects the standard included package.
What “Included” Means in Your Purchase Agreement
“Included” means whatever your signed purchase agreement says it means, and nothing more. A model home or a floor plan photo may show appliances that are not part of the base price, so the contract is the authority, not the staging. Before you sign, confirm a few specifics:
- The exact appliance list: Make sure every appliance you are expecting is named in the agreement, not just implied by a showroom photo.
- Built-in versus buyer-supplied items: Clarify which appliances the builder installs and which ones you are responsible for buying and having installed.
- Finishes and specifics: Confirm details like a gas or electric range and whether a microwave or vent hood is part of the package.
What Appliances Value Built Homes Includes in Every Home
Every Value Built Homes home comes with a full kitchen appliance package as standard: an energy-efficient refrigerator, a built-in dishwasher, a stove and oven range, and an over-the-range microwave. The included refrigerator is the piece worth highlighting, because many builders treat the fridge as a freestanding item and leave it for the buyer to purchase.
The standard Value Built Homes kitchen package includes:
- Energy-efficient refrigerator: A freestanding item many builders leave out, included here as standard.
- Built-in dishwasher: Installed and connected as part of the build.
- Stove and oven range: Electric or gas options, depending on preference and regional availability.
- Over-the-range microwave: Saves counter space and vents the cooktop.
That handled-for-you approach extends well beyond the kitchen. A Value Built Homes package covers the home, foundation, basement, garage, driveway, septic, water, and electric, so you are not stitching together separate contractors for the essentials. To see how all of those pieces come together from start to finish, the Steps to Building a House in Indiana guide walks through the entire build process. As one Value Built Homes homeowner shared, “They took care of everything like running power, water, septic, poured wall basement, and even the driveway. Our contact was very helpful with anything we asked for and always very quick to answer any questions and keep us updated throughout the process.”
Every home also comes with a 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty for added peace of mind, and you can see finished kitchens in the Value Built Homes home gallery. One thing to plan for: a washer and dryer are not part of the standard package, so you will want to budget for those separately. To see the full value of an all-in Value Built Homes package, including everything that comes with the home beyond the appliances, it helps to look at the complete build rather than the sticker price alone.
Budgeting for Appliances You May Need to Buy Yourself
If your builder does not include a refrigerator, washer, or dryer, those are the costs to plan for up front. Prices vary widely by brand and features, so the smart move is to price the specific models you want early and fold that number into your overall move-in budget. When you map out that budget, account for a few things:
- Appliances not in your package: Most often a refrigerator (if it is not included) plus a washer and dryer.
- Delivery and installation: Especially for gas hookups or water lines that need a professional.
- Timing: Line up delivery so the essentials are in place by move-in day.
Financing can also ease the upfront pressure. With free construction financing, Value Built Homes pays the interest on the construction loan during the build, which keeps more of your cash available for the things a new home needs, including any appliances you buy yourself. It also helps to understand everything that goes into a build budget beyond appliances, from site prep and other cost categories that many first-time buyers do not think to plan for.
Why Energy-Efficient Appliances Matter for Your Long-Term Costs
The appliances that come with your home affect more than the purchase price. Efficient models cost less to run, and those savings add up over the years you live there. That is why the appliances included in a Value Built Homes home are chosen for energy efficiency.
The savings are measurable. ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators are about 9 percent more energy-efficient than models that meet the federal minimum standard, and a certified refrigerator can save about $150 over its 12-year lifetime. A standard-size ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher can save about 5,800 gallons of water over its lifetime. Those figures describe ENERGY STAR certified models and are attributed to ENERGY STAR.
Value Built Homes builds with efficiency in mind more broadly, too, through modern insulation, quality windows, and efficient systems, so the whole home is easier on your monthly bills. You can read more about building an energy-efficient home in Southern Indiana and what that means for your cost of living.
Frequently Asked Questions About Appliances in New Construction Homes
Do new construction homes come with a refrigerator?
Often not. A refrigerator is a freestanding appliance, so many builders leave it out of the base package and treat it as a buyer purchase unless it is bundled into an appliance package. Value Built Homes is an exception, with an energy-efficient refrigerator included standard in every home. Always confirm the specifics in your purchase agreement.
Are washers and dryers included in new construction homes?
Usually not. Washers and dryers are freestanding and easy to move, so builders typically leave them to the buyer. A Value Built Homes home does not include a washer or dryer in the standard package, so plan to budget for those separately alongside any other freestanding items you need.
Can I negotiate appliances in a new construction home?
Sometimes, though it depends on the builder. Custom and semi-custom builders may have room to add appliances or upgrade a package, while builders using standardized, cost-engineered plans keep pricing simple by offering a set package. If appliances matter to your budget, ask what is included and what can be added before you sign.
Do new construction homes come with blinds?
Often not. Window coverings like blinds are commonly the buyer’s responsibility in new construction, though it does vary by builder. As with appliances, the best approach is to check your purchase agreement so you know exactly what to budget for before move-in day.
Know Exactly What Comes With Your New Home
The clearest way to avoid surprises is to know exactly what your builder includes before you commit. Value Built Homes builds affordable, site-built homes across Southwestern Indiana and the tri-state area, and a full kitchen appliance package comes standard with every home. Browse Value Built Homes floor plans to see what comes with each plan, or contact the Value Built Homes team to get your questions answered before you build.
