New Build TV Cost Calculator
Calculate Your TV Purchase Savings
Compare builder TV packages with retail prices to see how much you could save.
Potential Savings
If you buy through the builder, you would pay:
If you buy separately, you could pay:
Wait for sales like Black Friday or year-end sales to save even more!
When you’re buying a new build, you’re not just buying walls and a roof-you’re buying a lifestyle. But one question keeps popping up: Do new builds come with a TV? The short answer? No. Not even close.
Most builders don’t include TVs in new homes. Not because they’re being stingy, but because TVs are personal. Your preferred brand, size, mounting style, and streaming setup are as unique as your taste in coffee or your favorite playlist. A builder can’t guess that you want a 75-inch LG OLED mounted above the fireplace while your neighbor prefers a 55-inch Samsung on a swivel arm in the living room. So they leave it out.
That doesn’t mean you’re getting a bare-bones space. New builds often come with the essentials: kitchen appliances, light fixtures, window coverings, and sometimes even built-in cabinetry. But TVs? Those are left for you to pick after you sign the contract. Think of it like buying a car with leather seats but no sound system-you can add it later, but it’s not part of the base package.
What Do New Builds Actually Include?
It’s easy to assume that "new build" means "everything is ready to go." But that’s not how it works. Builders offer standard inclusions, and everything else is an upgrade. Here’s what you can typically expect in a new build in Australia in 2025:
- Refrigerator (usually a basic model, not a smart fridge)
- Stove and oven (electric or gas, depending on the package)
- Dishwasher (often a 600mm model, not full-size)
- Rangehood (basic extraction fan)
- Lighting fixtures in main rooms
- Blinds or curtains on windows
- Water heater and plumbing fixtures
- Hardwood, laminate, or tile flooring in living areas
- Basic ceiling fans in bedrooms and living areas
Notice anything missing? No TV. No sound system. No smart home hub. No security cameras. These are all considered "optional extras"-things you can upgrade for an extra cost, if you want them.
Some builders in Melbourne and Sydney are starting to bundle smart home features-like automated lighting or thermostat control-but even those rarely include a TV. The industry standard is still to leave entertainment systems to the homeowner.
Why Don’t Builders Include TVs?
There are three big reasons why builders skip the TV:
- Cost control - TVs range from $500 to $5,000. Including one would raise the base price of every home, making it less competitive. Builders want to keep entry prices low so more buyers can qualify for loans.
- Personalization - You might want a 65-inch screen. Your neighbor wants 85. One size doesn’t fit all. Builders avoid locking you into a choice you might regret.
- Warranty and liability - TVs are electronics. They can fail. If a builder includes one and it breaks in six months, they’re on the hook. By leaving it out, they avoid service calls, returns, and customer complaints.
Some high-end custom builders might include a TV as part of a luxury package-but those homes start at $1.5 million and up. For the average new build under $800,000, you’re on your own.
What About "Move-In Ready" Homes?
You’ve seen the ads: "Move-in ready! Everything’s done!" That phrase is marketing, not reality. "Move-in ready" means the plumbing works, the lights turn on, and the kitchen has a sink. It doesn’t mean your Netflix setup is ready.
Some developers do offer a "TV package" as an optional add-on. For example, a builder might let you choose between:
- Standard: No TV
- Upgrade 1: 55-inch 4K TV, wall mount, and one HDMI cable - $1,200
- Upgrade 2: 65-inch 4K TV, motorized mount, soundbar, and hidden wiring - $2,800
These packages are usually only available during the early stages of construction. Once the walls are up, adding a TV means cutting into drywall, running cables through studs, and paying electricians extra. It’s cheaper and cleaner to plan it before the build starts.
If you’re buying off-the-plan, ask your sales consultant: "Is there a TV upgrade option?" If they say no, you’re not being misled-you’re just getting the standard package.
What Should You Do Instead?
Don’t wait until moving day to think about your TV. Plan ahead. Here’s how:
- Measure your space - Know the width of your wall and how far you’ll sit from the screen. A 75-inch TV needs at least 3 meters of viewing distance.
- Plan the wiring - Tell your builder you want a TV. Ask them to install an HDMI-ready wall plate and a power outlet behind where the TV will go. Do this before drywall goes up.
- Ask for conduit - If you’re thinking of upgrading later, ask for a 25mm conduit pipe to be run from the TV wall to your entertainment cabinet. That lets you pull new cables in the future without tearing up walls.
- Don’t buy the TV yet - Wait until after settlement. Prices drop 20-30% during Black Friday or end-of-financial-year sales. You’ll save hundreds.
One buyer in Frankston bought a new build in April 2025 and waited until June to buy a 65-inch LG C3. It cost $1,350. Had she bought it at the same time as her home, she would’ve paid $2,100 for the builder’s upgrade package. She saved $750 and got a better model.
What About Smart Homes?
Some new builds now come with smart home systems: voice-controlled lighting, motorized blinds, and security cameras. But even those rarely include a TV. You can control your TV with Google Home or Siri-but you still need to buy the TV yourself.
Some builders partner with tech companies to offer smart home bundles. These might include a Google Nest Hub or Amazon Echo, but again-no TV. If you want your smart home to include your entertainment system, you’ll need to add it after.
Final Thought: It’s Your Home, Not a Showroom
Buying a new build is exciting. You get to choose the colors, the benchtops, the flooring. But you’re not buying a finished product-you’re buying a shell. The TV, the art on the walls, the plants on the windowsill? Those are what make it yours.
Not having a TV included isn’t a flaw. It’s freedom. You get to pick the screen that fits your space, your budget, and your viewing habits. You get to mount it right. You get to connect your soundbar, your game console, your Apple TV. You get to make it perfect.
So no, new builds don’t come with TVs. But that’s not a bad thing. It’s a chance to build your ideal setup-your way.
Do all new builds exclude TVs by default?
Yes, nearly all standard new builds in Australia exclude TVs. Builders leave them out to keep base prices competitive and avoid warranty issues. Some high-end or custom builders may include them as part of premium packages, but that’s rare and expensive.
Can I get a TV added during construction?
Yes, but only before the walls are sealed. You need to request a TV upgrade during the selection stage-usually before the framing is complete. Once drywall is up, adding a TV requires cutting into walls, running cables through studs, and hiring electricians, which adds significant cost and delay.
Is it cheaper to buy a TV through the builder or myself?
Almost always, it’s cheaper to buy it yourself. Builders mark up TVs by 30-50% to cover logistics and installation. A 65-inch TV that costs $1,400 at Harvey Norman might cost $2,200 as a builder upgrade. Waiting until after settlement to buy your own saves money and gives you better choices.
What should I ask my builder about TV installation?
Ask: "Can you install a power outlet and HDMI-ready wall plate behind the TV location?" Also ask if they can run a 25mm conduit from that spot to your entertainment cabinet. These are low-cost upgrades that make future TV installation much easier and cleaner.
Do new builds include TV mounts or wiring?
No. TV mounts, HDMI cables, and wall brackets are never included. Even if the builder offers a "TV package," it usually only includes the screen and a basic mount. You’ll need to buy the rest separately or hire an electrician for hidden wiring.
Next Steps: What to Do Now
If you’re in the market for a new build, here’s what to do this week:
- Write down the exact size and model of TV you want.
- Measure the wall space where you plan to put it.
- Ask your sales consultant: "Is there a TV upgrade option? If not, can you install a power outlet and HDMI plate behind the TV spot?"
- Set a reminder to buy your TV after settlement-wait for sales in December or June.
You’re not missing out by not getting a TV with your new home. You’re gaining control. And in a world where everything’s pre-packaged, that’s worth more than any screen.
