Could you show an example of "panel molding"?

Depends. Shaker style panel molding (even with a little trim in the recesses) is pretty easy. Raised panel molding can be a royal pain in some situations. (I just put in a bunch of raised panel molding).

Either way, you want to coordinate everything with the electrician so the receptacles don't end up messing up your spacing...and it sounds like it might be too late for this without a modification.

Here is an example of the type I would prefer. Construction has not yet begun on the house, we have a meeting tomorrow to choose all of our options/upgrades. This particular style is what they offer and it looks pretty simple to me, but I’m not sure what’s involved. I’m trying to determine if I could really save money by doing it myself or if $800 is pretty decent.

And that’s a great point about the receptacles if I decide to do myself. I hadn’t thought of that. Thanks!

I would have the builder do it so they are responsible for any issues. 800 is not a lot to have it done and painted to match. :)

Do it now...$800 included in your total house cost is probably minimal and you will get a professional job. In our new houses the one color paint strategy is very common. The molding will give your dining room a different look even if painted the same as the other rooms on your first floor.

but I’m not sure what’s involved. I’m trying to determine if I could really save money by doing it myself or if $800 is pretty decent.

If you are not sure what's involved, you probably lack the tools and experience needed to do a quality job.

This will look best with a sprayed finish -- easy to do when the painter is spraying the other trim in an under construction house, less so when it's occupied.

Not much cost in materials, but a miter saw, compressor, nail gun, paint sprayer etc could easily add over $500.

As mentioned above, do the layout early and then arrange electric, vents etc so they do not interfere.

And $800 is a good price.

Thanks for the input guys! I’ll definitely opt to have it done professionally by the builder.

That’s not in any shape or form $800 judges panels for a 13x12 space. Try that being 5x that figure as a start. Where it finishes could easily be 20x that. You’d better have design documents drawn up so you know exactly what you’re getting. I suspect your builder in doing some cheap applied trim over drywall, and nothing near that elaborate or nice.

That is raised panel wainscotting, and like I said, can be a huge pain. Definitely not a DIY if you have to ask the question. (FTR: I just put in raised panel wainscotting in several areas of our build.) Our cabinet guy even commented on how much work is involved for it.

Like live_wire_oak said, there is no way the builder is charging $800 for that. My guess is you'd be getting something like this:

https://diy.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/diy/fullset/2016/June/13/Ultimate-How-To_Wainscoting-After.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.440.suffix/1465839187006.jpeg