What’s Included vs. What’s an Option in Our Model Homes

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Building a semi-custom home with Charleston Homes can be one of life’s great adventures. We take all the guesswork out of homebuilding by giving you access to our tried and tested method of building high-quality homes. At the same time, you get to make your mark on your new property, setting out exactly how it should be finished and finessing many details to make it truly your own.

At Charleston Homes, we pride ourselves on customer satisfaction. That begins with complete transparency around what’s included and what’s an option when you view our model homes. 

This article will break down what is typically included in the homes we build versus the options you can personalize, so you can tour with confidence and plan a home that matches your family, style, and budget. 

Starting Point: What “Included” Really Means

Every Charleston home starts with a strong value foundation, built on no guesswork and no gimmicks. 

The base price of our homes includes a lot allowance, a two or three-car garage, and a full unfinished basement with an egress window. That gives you real, useful space from day one, with flexibility to finish later on your timeline.

Let the Customization Begin!

We recognize that every family has unique features that matter to them. That’s why we have a wide range of customizable features that you can choose to tailor your home to meet your needs.

Interior Features

Beyond structure and space, our special features are designed for everyday comfort and long-term value. Some of the options you’ll see on display at our model homes include:

  • Standard 42″ kitchen cabinets
  • High-efficiency furnaces
  • 50-gallon water heaters

These core features make daily living easier and more energy-smart from the start.

You may also choose to upgrade your interior living space with:

  • Finished basement: Perfect for a home gym, remote workspace, playroom, or home theater.
  • Spacious kitchen pantry: Adding a dedicated pantry is a dream for many keen home cooks, allowing you to keep a wide range of ingredients at your fingertips at all times.
  • High-end master suite: Let’s face it, parents work hard, and deserve more than just a room to decompress after a long day. Spacious master suites with walk-in closets and dual vanities provide a private sanctuary.
  • Three-car garage: A great way to create extra space for hobbies, additional vehicles, or household supplies.

These are just a few of the additional features you will see in our model homes, and our Sales Team is ready to discuss more customization options to meet your needs.

Exterior Features

As you view Charleston Homes’ model homes, you’ll notice that we offer a wide range of exterior finishes. These include partial brick and stone frontages. But what they all have in common is that they are maintenance-free exteriors.

What’s behind this intriguing concept? We understand that busy homeowners want to get on with enjoying life, their home, and their families, not undertaking endless hours of home maintenance. That’s why our included exterior finishes are designed to involve minimal maintenance – just light cleaning will keep them looking great for years to come.

What to Look For at our Model Homes

As stated at the outset, we are all about transparency at Charleston Homes. So before viewing one of our model homes, check out its page on our website. 

There, you will see clearly listed every option the home includes. Let’s talk through a couple of model homes you will definitely want to see.

The Jackson – Highland Pointe, Gretna

A beautiful two-story, redesigned in 2022, The Jackson features 2,540 sq. ft. of finished space and is one of our most popular home plans. 

As standard, The Jackson features:

  • 4 bedrooms, including a luxurious primary suite
  • Downstairs flex space
  • Impressive two-story entry

When you visit our model home at Highland Pointe, Gretna, you’ll also see the following bespoke features that you could choose to incorporate into your home:

  • Optional main-floor bedroom with ¾ bath and walk-in closet
  • Gourmet kitchen
  • Basement finished with drywall

These are terrific illustrations of how families tailor The Jackson to their routines—extra sleeping space for guests, smarter storage, or a kitchen built for serious cooks.

The Parker – Highland Pointe, Gretna

If you’re looking for a smaller home or simply prefer a ranch-style layout, The Parker makes excellent use of space and has a lot of scope for customization. 

As standard, The Parker offers:

  • 3 bedrooms, including a primary suite with an attached bathroom
  • Unfinished basement
  • Large open plan great room/kitchen/dinette

When you visit The Parker model home, look out for the following customized features:

  • Den in place of one of the bedrooms
  • An optional trayed ceiling that adds the wow factor to the primary bedroom and great room
  • Covered patio for outdoor entertaining

These are just a few ways you can customize The Parker. When you visit our model homes, our Sales Team members will be happy to discuss other upgrades and options that can turn a floor plan into your dream home.

A Quick Guide to Touring Model Homes (and Asking the Right Questions)

When you visit our model homes in Elkhorn (Arbor View), Gretna (Highland Pointe), and Bellevue (Falcon Pointe), you’ll meet a Sales Agent who can walk you through what’s standard versus optional in that specific model. Bring your questions—we love specifics. If you’re eyeing a certain fireplace, cabinet style, shower configuration, or ceiling treatment, ask whether it’s included, an upgrade, or part of a package for that plan. 

  • See it, name it, note it: When something catches your eye, jot it down and ask: “Is this included in the base price for this plan?”
  • Ask about good-better-best paths: If you like an upgraded item, your Sales Agent can often suggest a similar included option or a step-up that hits the sweet spot on budget and look.
  • Think long-term: If you’re cost-conscious today, consider structural options (like a 4′ bump-out) that are easier to do during construction, while saving some purely decorative upgrades for later.

Time to Tour Our Model Homes!

Now that you have a good idea of what’s included and what’s optional in our model homes, it’s time to see them for yourself! 

We have ten stunning model homes across the Omaha metro area just waiting for you to tour. Browse our model locations, choose the home you would like to tour, and reach out to schedule an appointment today!