When you’re planning a custom RTM home, every decision you make at the design stage carries more weight than it might seem. At Blue Hills Construction, we get asked all the time which upgrades offer the best ROI, and it’s a fair question. Choosing the right upgrades during the build is almost always more cost-effective than adding them later, and in Saskatchewan’s rural market, not every upgrade pays back equally. Here’s our honest take on where your money works hardest.
Invest in the Envelope First
Saskatchewan winters don’t leave much room for cutting corners on insulation and windows. Upgrading beyond code-minimum insulation in your walls, attic, and basement is one of the most reliable ways to protect long-term value, both on your utility bills and at resale.
- Enhanced wall and ceiling insulation reduces heating loads significantly in a climate that regularly hits -40°C
- Triple-pane windows perform noticeably better than double-pane in extreme cold and add meaningful resale appeal
- High-efficiency heating systems lower monthly operating costs from day one
- A well-sealed vapour barrier, done right at build time, prevents moisture problems that are genuinely difficult to fix later
These aren’t glamorous upgrades, but they’re the ones buyers notice when they ask about monthly costs, and the ones you will appreciate the most over time.
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Kitchen and Bathroom Finishes
Kitchens and bathrooms get more scrutiny from buyers than any other rooms. You don’t need to go high-end to see strong returns. Mid-range upgrades consistently outperform both budget and luxury choices in rural markets.
Kitchen
- Quartz countertops over laminate: durable, low-maintenance, and a clear visual upgrade
- Solid cabinet construction with quality hardware
- A functional layout with adequate storage, including a walk-in pantry if space allows
- Under-cabinet lighting, which is inexpensive at build time and makes the space feel finished
Bathroom
- Upgraded fixtures and vanities in the primary bathroom
- A second full bathroom if your base plan only includes one; this is one of the highest-value additions you can make at build time
- Tile or quality LVP flooring rather than vinyl sheet
The rule of thumb we follow: spend where people look and touch. Skip the trendy finishes that date quickly and go with clean, durable choices that hold up.
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Basement: Rough-In Now, Finish Later If Needed
If your build includes a basement, doing a little more upfront saves a lot later.
- Rough-in plumbing for a future bathroom costs a fraction of what it takes to add after the concrete is poured
- Egress windows preserve the option to develop bedrooms downstairs without a major retrofit
- A fully developed basement adds livable square footage that appraisers and buyers count directly
You don’t necessarily need to finish the entire basement on day one. Leaving it completely unfinished, though, is a missed opportunity. Rough-ins are cheaper during construction and expensive after.
Durable Exterior Materials
Rural properties take more wear than urban homes: more weather exposure, more dust, more distance from contractors when something needs attention. Low-maintenance exteriors are genuinely worth the upgrade cost here.
- Metal roofing has a longer service life than asphalt shingles and handles prairie weather well
- Quality siding (whether composite, vinyl, or fibre cement) reduces long-term upkeep and holds its appearance
- Painted or prefinished trim rather than raw wood cuts down on maintenance cycles considerably
If you’re on a farm, acreage, or lake lot, you want a home that can go a few years without demanding attention. Good exterior materials get you there.
Practical Layout Features Worth Paying For
Some of the best RTM upgrades aren’t about materials at all. They’re about how the space works.
- A proper mudroom entry is almost non-negotiable for acreage living; a small tile area and built-in storage beats a basic entry every time
- An oversized or insulated garage if your build includes one, useful for equipment, vehicles, and Saskatchewan winters
- Storage that’s designed in rather than retrofitted: pantries, linen closets, and utility rooms
These are the details that make a home function well for the people living in it and show well to buyers who understand rural life.
What You Can Probably Skip
Being honest about this matters. Not every upgrade earns its price tag.
- High-end appliance packages rarely increase appraised value dollar-for-dollar
- Elaborate trim packages and feature walls are personal taste items that don’t transfer value reliably
- Oversized square footage beyond your actual needs costs more to heat, more to maintain, and doesn’t necessarily appraise higher
The goal is a well-built home that fits how you actually live, not the most expensive version of a home.
Start With the Right Conversations
At Blue Hills Construction, we work with rural Saskatchewan homeowners who want to build smart, not just big. If you’re weighing which upgrades make sense for your build, give us a call at 306-517-6610. We’re straightforward about what’s worth the money and what isn’t, and we’d rather help you make a good decision than just add to your quote.