Luxury Isn’t an Upgrade.
It’s Standard.
Most builders quote low. Then charge for everything else.
At Scarlett Homes, the finishes other builders treat as paid upgrades are simply where we begin. We’ve been building in Hamilton and Ancaster since 1987, and in that time we’ve watched the gap between what a builder calls ‘standard’ and what buyers actually expect widen considerably. Our answer is to close that gap entirely — by making premium the default.
Here’s what “standard” usually means — and what it means at Scarlett.
The specifications below appear in every Scarlett home. Many of them are items other builders offer as costly design-centre upgrades — or don’t offer at all.
| Feature | Typical Builder Standard | Scarlett Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Exterior cladding | –Vinyl siding on sides & rear | ✓All-brick or stone / stucco, all four sides |
| Garage doors | –Standard, non-insulated | ✓Insulated garage doors |
| Main-floor ceilings | –8′0″ standard | ✓9′0″ included as standard |
| Kitchen countertops | –Laminate | ✓Quartz or granite |
| Kitchen cabinetry | –Stock or semi-custom | ✓Soft-close, hand-stained / painted |
| Primary ensuite shower | –Acrylic or framed glass | ✓Full frameless glass spa shower |
| Primary ensuite tub | –Standard drop-in (if included) | ✓Freestanding soaker tub |
| Staircase | –Carpet-grade with painted risers | ✓Solid oak treads |
| Hardwood | –Upgrade (carpet standard) | ✓6″ engineered oak, included |
| Floor system | –Conventional joists | ✓Engineered I-joist system |
| HVAC | –Rental / not included | ✓Owned furnace, A/C & HRV |
| Cold cellar | –Rarely included | ✓Standard — $14,000 value |
| Electric fireplace | –Upgrade | ✓Oak & tiled mantle, included |
Typical builder comparisons are generalizations based on commonly observed industry practice. Individual builders vary. Always confirm specifications in writing.
Real masonry. Built to last decades, not seasons.
Genuine brick, stone, and stucco on all four sides — with over 20 brick colours to choose from, including authentic clay and calcite brick — means your home ages differently than vinyl alternatives. Real masonry and self-sealing 50-year shingles manage Ontario freeze-thaw cycles, require no repainting, and hold resale value in ways synthetic cladding cannot match.
The bones of the home. Decisions that are permanent.
By the time drywall goes up, the structural decisions are locked in forever. Engineered I-joist floor systems dramatically reduce squeaking and flexing, and walls insulated to R-20 with R-60 attics keep the home quiet and efficient. An owned, high-efficiency furnace means no monthly rental fees — for the life of the home.
Volume, detail, and craftsmanship. The difference you feel.
Nine-foot ceilings change how every room feels — the light, the proportions, the sense of space. Solid oak stairs, taller doors, and wide baseboards are the details that separate a well-finished home from a production box.
No carpet where it counts. No compromises.
Large-format porcelain tile, wide-plank engineered oak hardwood on the main floor, and luxury vinyl plank upstairs replace the vinyl or carpet-grade floors that often come standard elsewhere. These are surfaces designed to look and perform beautifully for decades.
The features that define a luxury home — included.
Freestanding soaker tubs, frameless glass spa showers, and hand-stained custom cabinetry are the finishes buyers fall in love with in model homes — then discover are upgrades. At Scarlett, they’re simply where we begin.
The details others leave out. The ones you’ll appreciate for decades.
A basement cold cellar is rarely included by other builders — and difficult to add later. An electric fireplace with a custom oak and tiled mantle transforms the main living space. Both are standard.
This isn’t a promotional package or a limited-time offer. These are the specifications we build to every time, because we believe that’s what premium homebuilding means.
Quality you’ll never have to think about.
Every Scarlett home is covered by the Ontario New Home Warranty Program’s Two-Star Excellent Rating — the highest rating available to Ontario builders, earned through fifteen consecutive years of excellent service.
Protected against defects in workmanship and materials.
Covered for plumbing, electrical, heating, windows, doors, cladding and water penetration.
Guaranteed against major structural defects.
Interior Standard Finishes
See the complete interior specifications list — every finish, every room.
View Interior Finishes →
Exterior Standard Finishes
From masonry to roofing — the full exterior specification, explained.
View Exterior Finishes →What buyers ask us most.
Is the entire home brick, or just the front elevation? ›
Standard Scarlett Homes are ALL BRICK construction (upgrades available for Stone and Stucco) — including the sides and rear of the home, not just the street-facing front elevation. We also use genuine clay and calcite brick options rather than the concrete alternatives common in production construction. This isn’t a cosmetic choice; brick performs significantly better over time in Ontario’s climate.
Are hardwood floors included as standard? ›
Our standard offering is hardwood floors on the main floor, using a Structurewood GOLD sub-flooring – an engineered system specifically designed to support hardwood installation and eliminate squeaks and movement over time. For the upstairs, our standard is vinyl or carpet with the option to upgrade to hardwood.
What kitchen cabinets and countertops are standard? ›
Our standard kitchen features custom-built cabinetry designed specifically for each home. Our standard countertops are beautifully sourced Quartz coming in a wide variety of designs and colours.
Ready to see what standard looks like in person?
Book a private appointment at our model home.
Book an Appointment →Features are included as standard in current Scarlett Homes designs and may vary by model, elevation, lot, and community. Dollar figures are estimated standard values for illustration only and are not a price, discount, credit, or formal quote. All prices and specifications subject to change. E. & O.E.
Scarlett Homes · Hamilton, Ontario · Est. 1987