You bet. Flat paint with a low Level 3.5 and not even a true Level 4 is the usual standard. The shinier the paint, the more flaws it shows. That’s why so many builders love wall textures. The drywall work underneath can be slapdash.

Your builder will likely want a pretty big upgrade to do the better drywall work and the harder to apply paint.

Oh I’m sure they’ll want a big upgrade..

What about walls that have flat originally and then down the road paint a satin or other finish?

Like a lot of things, it depends on the price point in the market. Tract home entry level builds that do insufficient allowances will do poor to mediocre work. Move up to the better tract builders, and you get marginally better work. But you mostly get overpriced “upgrades” that should be standard in 2018.

I've always used flat paint on my walls, and oil-based satin/eggshell on woodwork. I do use oil-based high gloss enamel on the ceiling in my bathrooms and kitchen. I like the reflected light, plus it's far easier to clean, and moisture (bathrooms) does not affect the paint as much.

Very interesting, Anglophilia! That’s the opposite of what I usually see, but I like that it’s what works best for YOU, and not what is typical :)

This whole 2 year process has been a huge learning process. If I could give 1 piece of advice, it’s go to Houzz BEFORE You even look at land or house plans.

We’re nearing the end and I’m not unhappy, but for sure could have done things differently and will next time around. This is probably a paragraph for the building thread but oh well :)

Yes.

Sophie is spot on. Eggshell will show even minor factory defects in drywall. Plus, it's hard to touch up-- so any post-painting defects (e.g., dings in walls) caused by other trades will require the painter to repaint entire walls.

I don't think I've ever seen a house with anything BUT flat paint on the walls! Of course, I've seen gorgeous "glazed" walls in magazines and I once dragged my DR and later my LR walls, but these are very high end, specialized/custom finishes that take a high degree of workmanship and skill. The standard for walls in my 75 years on this earth, has always been flat paint.

Flat is standard.

I knew that, but tried to push it on a home with a two story room and dark walls. Walked in at dusk after the painter finished spraying the walls in satin, immediately called him to purchase another 25 gallons of flat to respray in the morning before taking down the paper. Close call for less experienced builder 21 years ago, but still I can sometimes see things clients can't.

My builder just delivered our house with all walls done in Matte, totally contrary to the official specs. What the heck?

Flat paint you can’t wash is something that should never be used and banned entirely.

i forgot to specify the gargage wall paint and the standard flat when in...damn it!

We came to a happy medium and the main walls/open floor plan on first level will be Higher-end scrubbable Flat. Semi-gloss of course on trim and then flat on ceiling

(Sherwin Williams Extra White for ceiling, trim and interior doors, SW Lattice on main walls and various other colors for random rooms:)
Oh and front door SW PLUMMY (interior front door SW Ellie Gray) can’t wait :)

I’ve learned so much from building this house and Houzz. Always appreciate all comments and suggestions I get. Thanks all!

To answer the original question, flat to satin/eggshell is an upgrade due the finishing requirements of the drywall. The drywall must be installed and prepped for the paint. That's extra skill and labor. You pay for extra skill and labor. Additionally, the painter may end up needing to apply an additional coat of paint to attain a good finish.

This brings up the follow up question, is it worth it? IMO, yes it is . Flat paint is not washable. You will need to reapply with greater frequency. This is one item that I would pay for the upgrade.