Are new builts any good

busybb

Hi as 1st time buyer, really not sure whether any good about new builts. Heard quality can be variable n uncertain future selling price, but everything brand new!
any opinion/ experience on new builts?
Saw a new built by barratts in watford for 230k, how much should i offer if i like it? do they usually take good offers?

david29dpo

On average, quality can be very poor (but not all) and over priced. Offer low!

babyharry5

Personally
I think it depends on who builds. Larger builders such as taylorwimpey, charles church, barratts etc are notorious for poor quality and service.
Their houses are up in no time!

However having said that, I have just bought a new build, but from a small developer who has only built 3 within the last year. Quality materials build & workmanship.
Choose carefully and bear in mind that newbuilds are generally very over priced, so offer low

Kyrae

Just bought a Barratts house and very happy with it! Good quality in my opinion, no complaints here

spud211

Depends on the builder, and even more than the "brand" the actual people they use for that particular development.

Round here (manchester) every single barrat home I have looked around has been appaulingly low quality - even in their show houses which are usually trumped up with better quality fittings etc. Same went for RedRow actually..i'd stay away from their developments in north manchester.

TaylorWimpey and Morris homes however seem much better built - its blindingly obvious when you look around their view (not show) homes. This is in complete contrast to some that I looked at when living in the west midlands however, there the barrat homes were great..such a different to the ones up here.

I'm buying a new build at the moment, and I specifically wanted to do so. Some minor quality concerns aside (largely around the interior walls and plumbing), there are some massive benefits such as the heating systems, energy efficiency, location in some cases, available discounts, buyer schemes to get a saving, warranties in some cases, ability to customise..oh and outside appearance, the list goes on.

They are not for everyone - some people hate the idea and will slate newbuilds constantly but each to their own, I don't want the stress of buying a house and then to endure months of refurbishment to get my new home back to "new" status.

Have a look at some and see what you think, it really does depend on your local area as to what the quality is like and how much of a good idea it is to buy new.

Niv

I think ti also depends on you. What I mean by that is if you buy an old house, there are likely to be many DIY type jobs that are needed to be done where as new build 'shouldnt' need much. i.e you may not like the colour of the walls in your new build but it doesnt 'need' to be painted whre in an old house it may of not be decorated for a long time so teh need is greater. But also with bigger things like renovating kitchens bathrooms. If you have a strict fixed budget I would guess that new builts have less unknown expenses as faults are covered by the new build protection thingy. Right?

pinkshoes

Get one of you to stand in the flat below, then the other to jump up and run round - see how much noise travels!! It massively depends on the builder.

Compare the price to older properties in the area to see if it's value for money.

Hopejack

My Mum had a nightmare with Barratts on her new build some years ago - ended up settling out of court but just before 'the day'. Very shoddy workmanship - of course they could have improved but I'd not be so sure!

We bought a Bellway newbuild 10 years ago - to be fair it's taken some wear and tear (been rented out) and apart from the odd little thing I thought the workmanship was OK.

I like newbuilds for their insulation, and 'newness' lol. But I prefer older houses for their size and character - we are now in the process of buying an older house as a result.

Plus often you have to compromise on newbuild locations - where we live there aren't any newbuilds that are in the best school catchment areas etc, but there are plenty of older houses (with nice price tags to match).

ETA - if you need a mortgage, especially a higher ltv ratio, you will need to get a low offer in, otherwise you are at risk of your lender undervaluing the property anyway!

mahesh_on

Would anyone have any positive/negative comments on new builds by Martingales and Crest Nicolson. They do seem rather overpriced on the new build market and on the home buy scheme won't budge on the asking price!
Other properties on sale there are around 180k but they are asking close to 215k...does this seem reasonable based on the resale value?