New build

bouicca21

I am going to look at a new build house. It is a one off rather than part of a big development. What sort of things should I be looking out for? What regularly goes wrong/is a pain in a new build?

I'd appreciate any advice!

anselld

Many one-off newbuilds are infill development squeezed in small spaces.
Small plot?
Difficult access?
Very close to neighbouring properties?

Plus the usual newbuild problems ...
Small rooms?
Lack of storage?
Lack of parking?
Cheap build quality?
Cheap fittings?
Over priced?

kingstreet

If it's a one-off, does it have an insurance-backed guarantee, such as NHBC or Zurich Municipal?

If not, it will be very difficult to mortgage and to sell, if you decide to move within the property's first ten years.

If it has an Architect's Certificate, remain wary, as these are not viewed as well as they were a few years ago.

bouicca21

Definitely small rooms. According to zoopla it's up at nearly 100k more than neighbouring houses which are pretty similar from the outside, built maybe 20 years ago with a slightly different internal layout, in that they have 1 bathroom and this has 2. Not sure an extra bathroom (and concurrent shaving of the size of the other rooms) could possibly be worth 100k!

I would prefer an older house but so far I've seen some horrors, and the prospect of low maintenance (at the right price) has its attractions.

ankspon

Avoid Taylor Wimpey and the NHBC is not worth the paper it is written on

tim123456789

ankspon wrote: »

Avoid Taylor Wimpey and the NHBC is not worth the paper it is written on

except that everybody else thinks that it is, so not having it loses you a sale

kingstreet

tim123456789 wrote: »

except that everybody else thinks that it is, so not having it loses you a sale

... and a mortgage, as lenders take the same view.

Emfinsmum

ankspon wrote: »

Avoid Taylor Wimpey and the NHBC is not worth the paper it is written on

Can I ask why this is the case for u?? I'm looking to buy tw property so doing bit research.

Any advice anyone can give in this area much appreciated......

Furts

Emfinsmum wrote: »

Can I ask why this is the case for u?? I'm looking to buy tw property so doing bit research.

Any advice anyone can give in this area much appreciated......

A Taylor Wimpey site could be a good one if it has a competent, keen, probably old school, site manager. If this person has "Pride in the job" credentials all the better. The key with any new build is a well run site, regardless of the name on the site hoarding.

Bear in mind that there are an enormous number of dubious site managers working in house building - across all builders in all areas of the country.

A warranty by NHBC is better than no warranty but NHBC are an appalling organisation that sail close to the wind. Any closer and incompetence, if not fraudulent behaviour, would be an issue.

Buying a new build home is a high risk decision. For many it is OK. However, for countless thousands per year it becomes a disaster.