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Total cost of a Utah new-construction home: what to add to the base price
The base price a Utah builder publishes is usually the starting point, not the total. As of October 7, 2026, this checklist covers 10 cost items to add or ask about, from lot premiums and design-center upgrades to HOA dues, PID/SID assessments and closing costs. Amounts vary by builder, community and lot, so each item says what to ask the builder.
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Total-cost checklist
| Cost item | What it is | Amount | What to ask the builder | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base price | The price of the plan on a standard lot. Builders publish this as a "from" or "starting at" price. | Published by the builder (see our starting-prices table) | Which plan and lot is the starting price for, and is it current today? | Builder price sheet / contract |
| Lot premium | Extra charge for some home sites, such as corner lots, larger lots, or lots backing open space or with a view. | Varies; ask the builder | What is the lot premium for each home site I am considering? | ActiveRain, "What is a lot premium" |
| Structural options | Changes to the plan itself: finished basement, extra bedroom, larger garage, covered patio. | Varies; ask the builder | Which structural options are priced on the plan, and which are already included? | Builder price sheet / contract |
| Design-center upgrades | Finishes chosen at the design center: flooring, cabinets, counters, fixtures, appliances. | Varies; ask the builder | What is included standard, and what is a typical upgrade budget for this plan? | Builder price sheet / contract |
| Landscaping, fencing, window coverings | Often not included in the base price, and HOAs may set a deadline to finish landscaping. | Varies; ask the builder | Are front/back landscaping, fencing and blinds included? Is there an HOA deadline? | Builder price sheet / contract |
| HOA dues and assessments | Monthly or annual community fees, plus any one-time transfer or capital fees. | Shown on community pages only where the builder publishes it | What are the monthly dues and any one-time fees at closing? | Builder price sheet / contract |
| PID / SID assessments | Utah public infrastructure districts (PIDs) and special improvement districts can add an assessment to property tax that can last for decades. | Varies; ask the builder | Is this lot in a PID, SID or other special district? What is the annual amount and for how long? | KSL / Utah Investigative Journalism Project on public infrastructure districts |
| Financing points and buydowns | Points or rate buydowns paid by you or covered by a builder offer, often tied to the builder's preferred lender. | Varies; ask the builder | On the Loan Estimate: rate, APR, points, and who pays the buydown? | CrossCountry Mortgage on builder rate buydowns |
| Closing costs | Lender, title and prepaid items (taxes, insurance, interest). | Varies; see your Loan Estimate | Is any builder credit applied to closing costs, and does it require the preferred lender? | Builder price sheet / contract |
| Secondary water and impact fees (where applicable) | Many Utah communities irrigate with separate secondary water; new service is metered under SB 251. Some cities charge impact or connection fees. | Varies; ask the builder | Are impact/connection fees in the price? Who provides secondary water and what does it cost? | Utah Legislature, SB 251, 2023 session: secondary water metering |
We don't publish dollar amounts for these items because they change by builder, community and lot, and we only publish figures we have sourced. Get them in writing from the builder before you sign.
Run your own numbers
The Hidden Costs calculator adds these items to a home price you enter, and the Rate Buydown calculator compares a buydown, a price reduction and a closing credit. Calculator results are hypothetical illustrations, not quotes.
Open the calculatorsThe biggest incentive isn't always the lowest total cost.
A builder credit can offset some items above, but the total still depends on price, lot and options. See current dated offers in the October 2026 incentives report.
Current builder offersStart from verified base prices
See starting prices by community (exact builder wording, with checked dates) or Utah County builders compared.
How we built this
This checklist lists the cost items buyers commonly need to add to a published base price. Where we cite a law or reporting, the source is linked in the table. We don't estimate amounts we haven't sourced; those are marked "Varies; ask the builder".
Sources
- ActiveRain, "What is a lot premium"
- KSL / Utah Investigative Journalism Project on public infrastructure districts
- Utah Legislature, SB 251, 2023 session: secondary water metering
- CrossCountry Mortgage on builder rate buydowns
This page is general information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Confirm every amount with the builder, lender and title company.
Build Smart Utah is run by Landon Musselman · Licensed Utah buyer's agent · Equity Real Estate - NRE. We don't rank builders, and the criteria are the same for every builder. How Landon is paid is explained for your specific purchase before you sign anything.