You’ve scraped and saved, scanned every development in your city, and maybe even endured months of drive-by house stalking. The keys are dangling from your hand. But before you show off your new address, a funny question starts bugging you—will there actually be a TV on the wall when you step inside, or is your blank living room wall about to deliver awkward silence? When you buy a new build, there’s a weird mix of excitement and confusion about what you’re actually getting for your precious money. Ask your friends, and you’ll get stories ranging from, “They even left us a kettle!” to, “Wait, I have to buy toilet roll hooks?” Let’s clear up the TV mystery and dig into what really comes provided—and what you’ll need to drag in yourself.
What’s Actually Included in New Build Homes?
Let’s peel back the curtain. Most of the time, when you move into a fresh-from-the-oven new build, you get the things that make a house function on day one. Doors, windows, walls (obviously), heating, sinks, toilets, showers, kitchen cabinets and counters—these are the pretty much universal basics. But if you’re daydreaming about lounging on your new sofa binge-watching Netflix before you’ve unpacked a single box, here’s the truth: almost no new build homes in the UK or US come standard with an actual television included. Builders are experts at maximizing curb appeal and that show home feeling, but those flatscreens sparkling on the demo house wall? They’re almost always props to make you imagine your perfect life, not fixtures waiting for you. Unless you’ve signed something super fancy or bought into a high-end serviced apartment, televisions aren’t part of the move-in deal.
Why don’t developers toss in a TV? It’s a mix of cost, liability, and keeping things simple. Unlike appliances like oven hoods or fridges, which can sometimes be considered expected essentials, TVs quickly become outdated, can be pricey, and honestly—everyone has different tastes and needs. Some buyers want a 75-inch monster; some want a small screen for background noise. So, the general policy is to leave this to you. In fact, even kitchen appliances like washing machines or refrigerators are often an optional add-on, and only built-in models (like ovens or hobs) are reliably included. TVs are another step removed from core ‘functions’ and are almost never part of the base offering. If you do get a kitchen TV in a rare, high-end developer package, trust me, you’re paying well above standard market rate for that treat.
But don’t take my word for it. A 2023 survey from the UK’s National House Building Council found that 97% of new build buyers said they had to source their own TVs and related tech. US statistics from the National Association of Home Builders stay in step; not only are TVs not provided, even wall mounting brackets or specialty wiring are only sometimes offered, and usually as paid upgrades in a so-called “tech pack.” Modern developers prefer to keep things neutral and let you pick your own devices, especially with smart home evolution and ever-changing entertainment gadgets.
Worried about how you’ll keep up with the next season of your favorite show? It’s not all doom and gloom. What new builds do tend to offer are the cables and outlets you’ll need, so you’re not left drilling holes or running extension cords around the fresh paint. Almost every modern new build comes ready with multiple TV aerial points and HDMI or ethernet connections in main rooms—sometimes tucked away in just one “media zone,” other times in a few rooms. Developers know homebuyers want easy streaming and a clean installation, so they set up coax points (for Freeview or cable in the UK), satellite points, and more robust electricity sockets in places they expect you’ll want to plop a TV. Double-check this with your developer—ask how many TV points you get, and where they’re located. Some buyers have been tripped up by finding only one coax in the whole house, miles from where they want the TV to go. Always read that build spec sheet in detail!
You might get lucky in unique circumstances. If you’re buying a furnished show home, or if there’s a special moving-in package after a lull in sales, developers could throw in extras. In these cases, the TV you saw at the viewing might be part of the deal. But if this happens, get the make, model, and full description in writing, with your offer or contract—don’t rely on friendly promises from the sales office. And if a builder does agree to include a TV to close the sale, don’t expect the latest top-end OLED! You’ll likely get something functional but basic—think “supermarket special,” not home cinema.
If you’re buying off-plan and choosing between incentive options (like free carpets, white goods, or a “tech package”), weigh up the cost. Sometimes it’s cheaper to ask for a cash incentive or voucher, then buy your own kit after completion. This way, you’re not locked into the developer’s preferred model, and there’s no hassle returning or replacing anything that’s not what you want.
It’s worth highlighting that every developer does things a bit differently, so always go over your contract and ask your sales rep for the latest list of included items before you commit. The photos in glossy brochures rarely match reality, so rely on what’s on paper, not what’s staged in the show home. If you love surprises, buying a new build blind will definitely serve up some, but when it comes to your living room centerpiece, don’t count on free entertainment hardware.
What About Smart Home Tech, Cables, and Wall Mounts?
Even if the actual TV set isn’t part of your new home’s package, most developers are keen to make tech upgrades a selling point for that ‘wow factor’. Standard cabling in new builds tends to be a cut above the old-school one-socket design of older properties. Look closely in the living room, family room, and sometimes bedrooms for special “media walls” or multi-port outlets—these allow you to plug in TVs, home theater systems, gaming consoles, or soundbars without racks of exposed wires.
As an extra, some developers offer “pre-wired” options. You might come across terms like “AV preparation” or “media ready” in the spec sheet. This typically means you’ll have ready-run cables inside the wall for HDMI, optical audio, or even ethernet connectivity, so you don’t wreck your sparkly new plaster to get a tidy installation. It also gives flexibility for mounting your TV on the wall securely, without cable chaos. But again, don’t assume—they might run the wires and leave you short of an actual wall bracket. If you want a flush-mounted TV for that clean designer look, sometimes this is a paid upgrade, so clarify before you sign on the dotted line.
In 2024, tons of developers started adding “smart” thermostats, video doorbells, or security cameras as standard or optional tech packs. It’s tempting to picture this leading to a free TV as well, but that’s not reality yet. While a few upmarket developers will wire in smart home control screens or tiny kitchen TVs, these are rare and tend to be part of “luxury” or “custom” home builds, not your classic bulk development. More commonly, developers might give you the infrastructure—like a fast WiFi hub in a central cupboard, or ethernet cables to every bedroom—but leave the gadgets for you to pick.
One weird quirk: for buyers in higher-end apartments (city centre penthouses, branded “lifestyle” developments), some packages do toss in an integrated TV in the bathroom or kitchen, but these are the exception, not the rule. For most home buyers, expect the TV to be BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), not part of the housewarming gift.
If you want a wall mount pre-installed, or fancy synchronizing your lighting and speakers, ask at the reservation stage if there’s a “tech upgrade” or “media wall package.” Some developers work with local AV experts and will add the brackets and cabling—with the added bonus of not having to drill through warranty-covered walls yourself. Again, though, you’ll usually pay at least £200-£500 for such upgrades in the UK, or $300-$800 in the US.
Quick tip: If you’re planning to wall-mount a big TV, get the measured drawings or digital floor plan early. You can scope out stud placement and pre-wiring for media gear—and make sure your focal point isn’t a surprise plumbing pipe!
How to Prepare for Your Own TV Install in a New Build
So you’ve accepted you won’t be watching TV from your first minute inside, but you want a hassle-free setup. Here’s what you can do to make sure your living room, den, or bedroom is streamer-ready the moment you move in.
- Check what’s pre-installed: Ask your developer about every TV point, ethernet port, and mains socket’s location. Don’t rely on the generic floor plan. If they offered “smart home” or “media-ready” features, get the details (and ideally photos).
- Ask about wall strength: New build stud walls can be tricky. Make sure there’s plywood or extra support for heavy screens if you plan to mount a TV. Sometimes you can request a reinforced wall, especially if you flag it before plastering.
- Map your cable runs: Are all the ports in one corner, or spread across the room? Will your sofa and TV layout actually work without extension cords? If you need to run longer HDMI or aerial cables, plan that early.
- Book an installer if you’re unsure: Don’t risk hacking holes in the fresh paint and voiding your warranty. Many new build buyers go professional for TV wall mounts or surround systems, so everything’s tidy and the job is insured.
- Buy your TV after measuring up: Don’t grab a TV that looks “about right.” Check viewing distances (eye level is best, and 1.5x the screen size for an immersive experience), and see if it blocks windows or radiators. Stick a template on the wall to visualize, or try an augmented reality app for the full effect.
- Compare developer deals: If you’re offered a free or discounted TV as an incentive, look up the true cost online. Sometimes it’s more cost-effective to take a cash alternative, then choose your exact model—plus the warranty is in your name.
- Register any extras: If you do get a TV or wall bracket from the developer, make sure you get all manuals and paperwork. Some have short warranties, so sort it out right away. And do a power-on test when you move in—don’t wait until your movie night to discover it’s a dud.
Here’s another heads-up: while that fresh house smell is great, your new walls and ceilings need time to settle. If you’re going all-in with heavy wall mounts right after move-in, be prepared for some patch-ups as paint and plaster acclimate. Consider floor-standing TV units for the first few weeks, and check your builder warranty in case something shifts.
Finally, for the serious home entertainment lover: tackle connectivity before the last day of construction, not once you’ve got a mountain of boxes. Some developers let you visit during the build to choose socket positions or request extras. Even a handful of extra power points and a hidden cable trunk can save hours of pain later.
Quick aside—if you need TV licenses (like in the UK, for BBC content), factor this in and apply ahead so there’s no lapse. Also, double-check fibre broadband availability, especially in new estates, which may lag on infrastructure. No one wants to stare at a blank 4K screen with no WiFi!
So, the short version? That sparkling living room in the show home is your inspiration, but not the default delivery. Bring your own TV, plan your setup before move-in, and read the spec sheet twice. If your sales agent offers to sweeten the deal with a surprise television, get it in writing and treat it as the icing on your fresh, unboxed cake—but never the cake itself.
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