If you’re looking for home insurance, you may already be aware that premiums partly depend on your home’s replacement cost. But there are several factors that go into figuring out how much it would cost to rebuild your home from scratch.
The quality of your home’s interior is one of those factors. If your kitchen and bathrooms are made of high-grade materials, it’s obviously going to cost more to rebuild your home in the event of total loss. This replacement cost is different from your home’s market value, which is calculated using different factors.
But as a homeowner, in order to best protect your valuable asset, it’s important to know your insurance policy can cover the entire cost of replacing your home from the ground-up. Here are the different types of interiors and their levels of quality.
What is considered basic/builder’s grade?
This is considered the lowest grade for kitchens and bathrooms. Typically, the cabinets are made from plywood or fiberboard. Countertops are ceramic or made of laminated plastic. Basic kitchens also typically have one oven, a dishwasher, a single sink, and garbage disposal. Basic bathrooms typically have one white toilet and a single sink made from cast iron or ceramic tile. The bathroom may also include a simple tub or shower, made from white cast iron or synthetic.
What is considered semi-custom?
A kitchen is considered semi-custom when its cabinets are made of wood. Its countertops may still be made of plastic, but a nicer grade. The oven, dishwasher and other appliances are considered more modern and sophisticated. Meanwhile, a semi-custom bathroom includes wood cabinets and solid countertops. It may also include a white ceramic toilet and a medicine cabinet inside of a mirror.
What is considered custom?
A kitchen is considered of custom grade when its cabinets are built by an onsite cabinetmaker. The builder may also create an island, and the countertops are made from high-end tile or a simulated marble material. The appliances are now considered high-end, and a second oven may be included. In custom bathrooms, the toilets and tubs are made from colored enamel. There may be two sinks instead of one and the cabinets are made from solid wood by a cabinetmaker.
What is considered luxury/designer?
A kitchen is considered of luxury grade when its cabinets, island, peninsula and double-sized pantry are made from high-end wood. The countertops are made of granite or marble and the ovens, microwave, and other appliances are built in. Meanwhile, a luxury bathroom may include a bidet in addition to the toilet. The cabinets are made of high-end wood and topped with granite or marble. The shower may include a glass door and there may be two separate sinks.
What are the different flooring types?
Most Florida homes have many different types of flooring throughout. These include stone, tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, ceramic and marble floors. But when looking for home insurance, you’ll want to ensure that your policy can cover the most important type. This is usually the one that makes up the majority of your home.
For example, your bedrooms may have carpet flooring but your kitchen has tile flooring. In this case, it’s best to ensure your policy can cover the type of flooring that takes up the most space in your home. Water damage occurs frequently in Florida, so you’ll want to make sure you can replace your flooring with ease.
