What happens if I miss the builder's colour and finish selection deadline for my new home?

Builders set colour and finish selection deadlines for practical reasons: materials must be ordered and production schedules planned well in advance of construction of your specific unit. If you miss the deadline, most builders will make the selections for you — applying the project's standard builder-grade finishes without your input. You generally have no legal right to demand the builder wait indefinitely for your selections.

Your purchase agreement will typically describe the consequences of missed selection deadlines. Some agreements allow the builder to charge an administrative fee if they have to repeat design centre appointments. Others are clear that missed selections result in builder default choices.

If you miss the deadline unintentionally — illness, family emergency, communication breakdown — contact the builder immediately and in writing, explain the situation, and ask for an extension. Builders have commercial reasons to accommodate buyers when possible, but the more time that has passed since the deadline, the less flexibility they will have.

Going forward with builder-default selections when you actually wanted upgrades may also affect resale value and your satisfaction with the home. Treat design selection deadlines as seriously as closing deadlines, and calendar them well in advance of the due date.