"David Wilson" Apartments.

MEGANJODELLE

I am thinking of buying a new build apartment in the next year or two on a development by David Wilson homes. Part of the attraction is that I perceive them as an up market developer so would expect an above average quality new home. Does anyone else have experience of this developer, good or bad?

Also, I will be looking to buy a top floor apartment in a 3 storey block. Does anyone have any comments/experience on this sort of living? I like the security of the top floor and it's only a few flights of stairs. More to the point, does anyone have any experiences or comments on sound deadning in modern apartments? I've had friends who lived in blocks built in the 80's or 90's who said they could hear their neighbours sneeze??!! However, in the 21st century, in a quality, private development, surely this is a thing of the past. With so many apartments being built, surely the sound deadening issue is sorted or no one would want to live in them? I would dearly love to hear any views on these points.

Thank you very much.

fossman

I'm currently buying a David Wilson I-Life home, can't tell you much about them as the foundations have only just been put down for our house.

clutton_2

why not look on their website and go talk to some folks already living in developments already built by David Wilson - see what they say.

beverleyhills

You suffer from less noise living in a top floor flat.

Carrying anything upstairs can be a bit of a bind. Shopping is OK but getting fridges, freezers. cookers, washing machines etc can be a bit of an effort.

Don't know anything about 'David Wilson Build'.

Hope you find what you want.

bylromarha

Don't know about flats.

Friend has just bought a david wilson detached home and they love it. Snags sorted really quickly. Looking round, the fittings that DW put in are not cheap and nasty ones, build quality looks good.

And to top it all, they were given a hotel chocolat gift box containing a huge amount of chcolates + champers when they completed.

pspinsight

I'm currently renting a david wilson 1 bed apartment which is now around 2 years old. It's on the first floor (with the second floor being the top floor) in a block of 12.

You're right to mention sound as being a possible concern, and I'm afraid the news isn't good. Our entrance doors to the building were slam-doors so unless you were a very heavy sleeper you could expect a wake-up call whenever the first person left. In fairness, around 6 months ago dampeners were installed so this problem has been reduced.

Of more concern is the fact when the person upstairs uses their washing machine, the entire floor vibrates. I can also hear their internal doors opening and closing. I certainly can't hear sneezing or normal conversation though.

I guess being on the top floor would improve some of this, but seeing as you raised the noise issue you're probably looking for trouble purchasing one of these. Everyone in my block appears quite considerate, but just one person with a decent stereo system and a lack of common courtesy would make all our lives hell.

Accordingly, I am fairly happy renting but would never consider one of these for a purchase.

hazeyj

Dont know much about them except they did a conversation building quite nicely in manchester City Centre. I remember they had problems seeling them but I think this was because the internals werent especially special. You could always aks them to to lay extreme underlay to reduce noise levels so that your neighbours underneath wouldnt hear your noise etc

clutton_2

i think i recall that you can fill the space between joists with some sort of sound insulating pieces - but, maybe someone at Building control at your local council can advise as to the exact name of the product. Anyone else know ?

Jorgan_2

Also remeber modern apartments tend to have very high maintenance charges, £1000+ a year seems to be the norm round these parts.

MEGANJODELLE

Thank you all for the comments made so far, very interesting. I had forgotten the maintenance charges. Nearly £100 a month, on top of a mortgage and council tax, how on earth do owner occupiers afford this???!!! I thought that sort of figure was only for somewhere trendy and posh like Docklands? Could a similar figure be expected in the more modest, West Midlands? Also, what does this cost cover, why is it so high? Beyond window cleaning and building insurance, I don't see where this huge amount comes from?? Do you have to get your own building insurance in addition? For the money, how often are the hallways and windows cleaned normally? Also, what happens with rubbish, do you get you own wheelie bin or is it communal? If it's communal, how is it kept fair as to how much refuse the different apartments produce?

Sorry, questions, questions! Any feedback on modern apartment living, good and bad, is very much appreciated.

clutton_2

maintainance charges have to cover maintainance, repairs/cleaning/decorating of common parts and windows, gardening, security alarm system maintainance contracts, insurance, running of the managment company (admin costs, phone calls, that sort of thing) etc etc. But costs do vary. When the management company is set up, why not become one of the committee, then you can keep an eye on expenses - these days flat owners have the legal right to ask for 3 quotes for work to be done, so that management companies cannot make excessive profits. But, a contingency fund has to be built up, to allow for funds to repair roofs, and external repairs in the future. good luck