What builders economise on
Hollow-core interior doors. Builder-grade trim, usually undersized. Basic cabinetry with no interior fittings. Laminate counters. The cheapest permitted lighting. Flat builder white throughout. None of it is defective; all of it is the bottom of the range.
What to change first
In order of impact per dollar: lighting, then trim, then solid-core doors, then counters, then cabinetry. Lighting is transformative and cheap; cabinetry is the opposite.
Why builder grade upgrades go further per dollar
Because there is nothing to undo first. No polybutylene, no asbestos in the ceiling texture, no aluminium branch wiring, and drawings that match what was actually built. The same budget that would be half consumed by remediation in a 1970s house goes entirely into finishes here, which is why the visible change per dollar is so much larger.
The advantage of a newer house
No polybutylene, no asbestos texture, no aluminium wiring, and drawings that reflect what was actually built. Work is faster and holds fewer surprises, which is why the same budget goes further here than in a 1970s house.