A showhome visit is one of the best ways to turn ideas into real decisions. You can feel the scale of a room, see how a floor plan flows, compare finishes, and have a conversation with someone who understands the home and the building process.

The important questions are what is included, how the design would work on your section, and whether you feel comfortable working with the team behind it.

Take a few notes as you go. The details are much easier to compare once you have visited more than one home.

Start with how the home feels to live in

Before you focus on colours and styling, walk through the house as though you live there.

Ask yourself:

Does the entry feel practical for bags, shoes, coats, and visitors?
Is the kitchen layout right for the way you cook and gather?
Are the living spaces, bedrooms, storage, garage, and laundry right for everyday life?
Does the home connect well to the sun and outdoor living?

Look closely at workmanship and finishes

Look beyond the feature wall and furniture styling. Notice cabinetry and door alignment, paint, tile edges, flooring transitions, joinery, tapware, and lighting. Ask specific questions such as, “Is this benchtop included in this plan?”

Ask what is included—and what is not

Ask for a written inclusions schedule for the particular home or package. Check which items are:

included in the quoted scope
optional upgrades
display-only styling or furniture
dependent on the section, covenant requirements, or site conditions
subject to a different specification in another plan or package.

Use the same checklist for every builder so you compare like with like, not a headline figure with a different scope.

Use the conversation to assess the process

Notice whether the consultant listens and answers clearly. Ask:

Which parts of this design can be changed for my section and lifestyle?
What information would you need before advising whether it fits my site?
What happens after I choose a plan or package, and who will be my main contact?
How are selections, variations, site visits, and updates managed?

Compare homes fairly after each visit

If you visit several showhomes, take notes immediately. Record layout, feel, finishes, inclusions, section fit, and the builder experience. Avoid relying on a square-metre rate alone; compare the scope and home suitability.

How to make the most of a Today Homes showhome visit

When you visit a Today Homes showhome, look at design, quality, fixtures, fittings, and the person you are speaking with. Check current opening information, take your section details and wish list, and ask for the written information that applies to your proposed build.

That makes the conversation more useful and helps the team relate a design to your actual plans.

Final thoughts: leave with answers, not just inspiration

A great showhome can inspire you, but the most valuable visit gives you practical information: how the home works, what is included, what can change, and what it would be like to work with the builder.

How to Get the Most From a Showhome Visit in Canterbury