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Touring a model home is one of the easiest ways to picture yourself in a new house, but it can also make one question surprisingly hard to answer: What actually comes with the home?

A model may show standard features, optional upgrades and decorative staging in the same room. Alvarez's model home tour guide makes the same point: buyers should look beyond the finishes and ask what is included, what is optional and what may be different in the home they choose.

Quick answer: What is included in a new construction home depends on the builder, community, floor plan and specific home. With Alvarez Construction, the safest way to compare is to separate included features, community- or plan-specific features, optional upgrades, and decorative/model-home items. The final Construction Agreement and home-specific specifications control what is included in your purchase.

Start With Four Categories: Included, Optional, Home-Specific and Decorative

Before comparing two new homes, put every feature into one of these categories:

• Included feature: part of the home without an added selection charge, subject to the builder's current specifications.
• Optional upgrade: a selection that adds cost.
• Home- or community-specific feature: included or installed only in certain plans, subdivisions or available homes.
• Decorative/model item: furniture, accessories, staged decor or upgraded finishes shown for presentation but not necessarily included.

Alvarez floor-plan pages state that artist renderings may show optional features and direct buyers to the sales representative and Construction Agreement to determine the actual features and specifications included in the home. That is the right rule to follow throughout the buying process.

What Smart-Home Features Does Alvarez Currently List as Included?

Alvarez's Build Smart page currently identifies several smart-home features as included.

Clare Smart Home

Alvarez lists the Clare smart-home platform as an included feature. The system is designed to integrate compatible connected devices such as lighting, thermostats, door locks, garage doors, cameras and speakers.

Smart Garage Door Opener

The Build Smart page also lists a Wi-Fi-connected garage door opener with keypad installation as included. The connected function allows homeowners to check and operate the door through an app and receive alerts.

GE Smart Range

Alvarez currently lists a GE Smart Range as an included feature in new homes, while also noting exceptions for certain communities or product configurations. Because community specifications can change, confirm the exact appliance package for the home you are buying rather than assuming every listing has identical equipment.

T6 Pro Smart Thermostat

The Build Smart page says Alvarez installs a T6 Pro Smart Thermostat. It is Wi-Fi enabled and ENERGY STAR certified. ENERGY STAR explains that certified smart thermostats are independently evaluated using field data to demonstrate energy savings and can offer remote control, scheduling and other energy-management features. See the ENERGY STAR smart thermostat guidance for how the certification works.

What Energy-Conscious Building Features Does Alvarez List?

Alvarez's Build Healthy page describes several construction features that are intended to improve the home's envelope and energy performance.

Tight Building Envelope

Alvarez says its homes begin with a well-sealed building envelope designed to reduce unwanted air leakage between conditioned and unconditioned spaces.

Radiant Barrier Roof Decking

The company lists radiant-barrier roof decking as an included feature. In a hot climate, attic and roof assemblies matter because they sit between intense solar heat and the conditioned home below.

R-15 BIBS Wall Insulation

Alvarez lists high-density R-15 blown-in-blanket wall insulation. The goal of the blown-in system is consistent coverage around outlets and other wall penetrations that can create gaps with poorly fitted insulation.

R-38 Fiberglass Loose-Fill Attic Insulation

The Build Healthy page also lists R-38 fiberglass loose-fill attic insulation as an included feature.

Tankless Water Heater Where Available

Alvarez states that when gas service is available in a subdivision, it typically installs a tankless water heater, with availability varying by community. This is a good example of why “included” should still be verified at the community and home level.

Are Flooring, Cabinets, Countertops and Appliances Always the Same?

No. The exact finish package can vary by floor plan, community, design selection and construction stage.

For example, current Alvarez plan pages such as the Camden identify standard flooring categories for that plan while also warning that renderings and completed-home photos may show optional features. Available-home pages can also list upgrades already selected for a specific inventory home.

When comparing homes, ask for the exact specification or feature sheet covering:

• Flooring by room
• Cabinet style and finish
• Countertop material and level
• Backsplash
• Kitchen appliance package
• Plumbing fixtures
• Lighting
• Interior trim and molding
• Exterior materials
• Garage equipment
• Patio or porch features

What About Design Upgrades?

Alvarez's FAQ says buyers have both included features and optional upgrade selections. It also says a pricing sheet for the specific floor plan is provided before the design appointment and that the designer maintains a running total during the appointment.

If you want to see how those decisions fit into the broader design process, Alvarez also has a guide to making Design Center selections and a current look at interior design and finish trends in Louisiana new homes. Those articles are useful for ideas; the plan-specific pricing sheet is still what should guide your actual budget.

That means the best way to compare upgrades is with actual prices tied to the plan you selected. Do not rely on a generic “upgrade allowance” from another community or an older blog post.

Also remember that Alvarez currently says it does not make structural changes such as moving walls, windows or ceiling heights. Buyers choose from available floor plans and personalize through the options offered for that plan and community.

Is the Builder Warranty Included?

Yes. Alvarez says it provides every homeowner with the 5-2-1 warranty required by the Louisiana New Home Warranty Act.

The Alvarez Warranty Information page summarizes the periods as:

• 1 year: covered defects involving building standards, materials or workmanship within the scope of the law
• 2 years: covered plumbing, electrical, heating, cooling and ventilating systems, with the exclusions stated by law
• 5 years: covered major structural defects within the scope of the law

The Louisiana statute itself can be reviewed at the Louisiana State Legislature. Buyers should read the warranty documents and exclusions rather than assuming every future repair is covered.

What Should You Never Assume Is Included?

Unless the contract or home-specific feature sheet says otherwise, do not assume that the following are part of the base offering simply because you saw them in a model, rendering or photo:

• Furniture and decor
• Window treatments
• Every appliance shown in staging
• Upgraded lighting
• Premium flooring
• Special cabinet packages
• Premium countertops
• Extended patios or outdoor kitchens
• Decorative wall treatments
• Landscaping beyond the builder's stated package

The plan page, community feature sheet, available-home listing and Construction Agreement should all tell the same story. If they do not, ask the sales representative to explain the difference before signing.

New Construction Inclusion Checklist for Louisiana Buyers

Before you sign, ask for written answers to these questions:

• Which features are included in this exact home?
• Which items shown in the model or photos are upgrades?
• Which selections can I still change at this construction stage?
• What is the current appliance package?
• Which smart-home features are included?
• Which insulation and energy features are included?
• Is a tankless water heater included in this community?
• What flooring is standard in each room?
• What warranty documents will I receive?
• Which HOA or community items are separate from the home purchase?

Frequently Asked Questions

Are smart-home features standard in Alvarez homes?

Alvarez's current Build Smart page lists Clare Smart Home, a smart garage door opener, a GE Smart Range and a T6 Pro smart thermostat as included features, with certain exceptions noted on the page. Confirm the exact package for the specific home and community.

Are upgrades included in the advertised home price?

It depends on the home. An available inventory home may already have selected upgrades reflected in its listed price, while a to-be-built home may offer optional selections during the design process. Review the home-specific feature list and agreement.

Can I move walls or change the floor plan?

Alvarez's current FAQ says it does not make structural changes such as moving walls, windows or changing ceiling heights. Buyers choose from multiple established floor plans and available customization selections.

How do I know what is really included?

Use the Construction Agreement, plan-specific specifications, community feature sheet and any written selection documents. Do not rely only on model-home photos or renderings.

Compare New Homes by What You Actually Receive

Two homes with similar square footage can deliver different value because the included technology, construction features, finishes, warranty and upgrade package are different. Before comparing price alone, compare the specification.

Start with Alvarez's Build Smart and Build Healthy pages, then review the exact floor plan and available-home listing you are considering.