Go white.

Yes, white. Think of it as a perfect base for adding color later.

White's a good idea to start. Your house is going to settle in the first year and you may get some drywall cracking. You'll want to let that happen first so it can be repaired then you can go in the next year and get your paint colors on the wall. Be sure it's a flat white if they're only going to use one paint since you don't want any gloss on your ceilings.

Does your builder use a brand of paint that you'll choose from? Or can you name a paint from anywhere?

Yes, have them paint everything white and then perhaps do the walls later in colors you like. I don't mind painting walls nearly as much as I hate painting ceilings.

Thank you for all of the comments. I hadn't even considered selecting a flat sheen, so thanks for mentioning that! I'll definitely do that if we decide to go white all over.

They use Sherwin Williams. I found out it costs $400 for each color change (on the walls), so I'm considering having them use Repose Gray on the majority of the house, which is the color I was planning on using in our open areas, and just living with the ceilings matching the walls. Then we can pay for one color change of Sea Salt for the bathrooms and a couple of bedrooms, unfortunately with matching ceilings. Then we could hire a painter to do the couple of rooms we want in different colors, and we can have them just paint white over the color on the ceilings in those rooms. This way, it'll be less work for us and hopefully less expensive overall.

Are matching ceilings just a terrible idea, or can it look good?

Hi, Caroline--

There are as many white shades as there are days of the year, and each color house has its own proprietary favorites. However, each offers an untinted base (Ultra Pure White), and Swiss Coffee. In many of my projects, I drive the white tone to UPW so that regardless of manufacturer availability in the future, it can always be patched and serve as a true white balance against more saturated tones. That's also what I'd recommend here for you.

Allowing yourself a pause as you start living in this new space may see a change in your tastes or sensibilities as you enjoy and see seasonal changes in light. Since your hand is being forced a bit with these paint charge ticket fees, I'd start with a blank color palette and do your homework about the colors to add in once you're in residence - you may be surprised and make an adjustment that can't be directly anticipated today.

And you're right - in most cases, matching ceilings aren't helping a room look its largest or brightest. Hang in there and play the long game. Cheers!

Ask how much not painted and call a couple painters to get quotes.

Your home will need to be finished painted to get the occupancy permit. No builder will leave it bare.
I would have all the ceilings painted in white or off white, that they normally use and if it is ONLY $400. to switch colors, (they are buying the new color, not you) then pick a nice neutral that you can do/ work with/ love in every room, including the bathrooms.
Live in your home awhile and then if you want to change a bathroom or two, or a bedroom or two, hire a painter to redo them.
In my old house we had many colors over 13 years and one neutral I came to love is Sherwin Williams Analytical grey, when we moved we had our painter do the entire new house in that color. The two full baths were done in another color, spa like, cause we already had matching towels from the old house.
Repainting is the cheapest, easiest way to update. You may want to move in and then have a decorator come for a consultation and pick colors for you.