New Build - What's the build quality really like?

not_loaded

Yes, agree, IF they're still trading.

Friends locally with what I’d call new builds (last twenty years or so…) seem to have significant problems as many posters have described above.

Fings ain’t wot they used to be, apparently.

Our house, built mid 50s, is something we live in and enjoy, NOT constantly maintain and repair. It simply doesn’t need the upkeep they’re burdened with.

Also, as above, room sizes, especially bedrooms, are a joke.

Cat695

If its a large development then assume its been knocked up with profit and speed in mind.

I'll always remember staying at a mates 3 storey town house....in the morning I could hear every single thing he did in his bathroom....yet he was a floor above me....

He daren't put anything on the walls, and every room echoed.

I don't fancy a new build because I dread to think what they will be like in a few years time.

milliebear00001

I think this is a bit of a loaded question as you always get loads more people ready to moan than praise. I have lived in both and was a committed 'period property' lover for a long time. I grew up in a big Victorian terrace with high ceilings and large floorspace in all rooms. It was, however, freezing in the winter (and still is now!) I then bought a Victorian railway workers' cottage - my first home. I loved it, it was beautiful, but certainly not large and the soundproofing/draftproofing nothing to celebrate. My in-laws have a 1960s semi - small rooms and you can hear people using the toilet from the floor below! - it seems a cheap house is a cheap house - whether it was built in 1991, 1961 or 1891.

I now live in a (rented) 4 year old semi. NEVER hear the neighbours and am warm and toasty all year round - sure it has its issues - the square footage isn't great, but then I knew that by simply using a tape measure before I moved in! It's layout is better, there's a downstairs loo, it has a user-friendly garden that my kids can just walk out into and I know they're safe, it's energy efficient. I wouldn't say I'd buy a new-build (I am a sucker for period features) but I am certainly more of a convert than I was five years ago (before I'd lived in one!)

SouthCoast

I've rented a home on a 'luxury' new build estate

Mine is a luxury, executive, designer, exclusive gated community with two fires and two floods caused by poor workmanship.

Another fire was caused by a car getting torched!

mqandy

SouthCoast wrote: »

Mine is a luxury, executive, designer, exclusive gated community with two fires and two floods caused by poor workmanship.

Another fire was caused by a car getting torched!

This is actually a good point - a lot of these developments are given planning permission on certain conditions.

These often include providing rental houses for council tenants, and providing some more affordable homes.

Nothing against council tenants, etc, but some prejudices are pretty just...

xxjennyxx

I live in a redrow new build.

We purposefully went for a detached as the sound proofing in the terraces/townhouses is shocking.
Friends of ours who live in a terrace house on the same development as us can hear everything their neighbours do, from opening doors to sneezing!
When they bought their house it was bought off plan and they had a massive snagging list as redrow rushed to finish it.
We bought our when it was already built and havent had that many problems!
All the windows have vents in them which means that even if the windows are closed you can hear people talking outside.
If you like your peace and quite then I dont think a new build is a good idea!

franklee

Surely it depends on the builder. I'm renting a new build built by a down market builder and and would not buy one ever (even I was shocked at the faults therein, thank god it's not mine) . But on this estate there are other good builders and I'd be happy to buy one of theirs like a shot if house prices were half reasonable It's very high density though which is a main deterrent.

FATBALLZ

New builds are crap. I would consider buying one, for maybe 40% of the price they typically sell at. If you pay more you are being mugged. I live in one (rented) at the moment - walls are covered in marks and dents from things touching them. Rooms are tiny also.

franklee

mqandy wrote: »

This is actually a good point - a lot of these developments are given planning permission on certain conditions.

These often include providing rental houses for council tenants, and providing some more affordable homes.

Nothing against council tenants, etc, but some prejudices are pretty just...

Typically a third association housing round here as a condition of getting planning. This is done by spotting, that is spreading the association housing about the development, The thing to watch is that if houses don't sell due to the recession etc. then higher numbers are sold to housing associations. Not that they all make bad neighbours, the ones round me are just normal families, don't hear a peep from them apart from their kids play out more than the owner's owners kids do which is healthier IMO as the normal owners don't seem to let their kids out to play.

gabyjane

Not even going to read the replies as i can guaruntee they say rubbish rubbish rubbish BUT we have one and its fab..i have lived in every type of house going and one thing that beats them all and that is our double glazing..the sound quality is fab and we hear nothing (unless the windows are open of course!)..it is very very warm, heats very quickly and well, the rooms are a very good size considering what people say..the comments we got when we moved in were 'omg look at the rooms'..they are not huuuge but big enough to house everything typical rooms need and room to move still. We have more room than our friends with older houses..well i could go on and on but wont we love our house 3 years on and are very glad we bought it! i guess you will decide but good luck x