Anyone Happy with their New Build?

TeamLowe

My parents house was a new build and had two major problems-
the garden was on a significant slope and was basically a swamp at the bottom so builders had to come dig out and put in a big pipe thing, then do that again when the first one didn't work

And the second is the reason I'd never buy off plan- their street was built six foot too narrow! Parking is a total nightmare.

But other than that they've been happy here for 16 years. Room sizes are definitely smaller than an older house but it depends what you yourself are looking for- the living room has been fine for a family of 3 teenagers 2 adults as we just watch tv etc but it's very small for my niece to play in now she wants room to crawl in

I don't know if anyone who bought a new build and didn't have any issues so in that respect there's not necessarily an improvement over an older house but I can see why people would like a 'blank canvas' so to speak

knightstyle

DD has been in a new build for 5 years now, a few problems were sorted by builder, check garage and room sizes yourselves, builders can get small double beds and other furniture to make rooms seem larger.
She has to move for work soon and is looking for another new build.
Oh negotiate hard for carpets etc. and make sure there are ample power, tv points and can you turn off the hall light from upstairs? Things like this become annoying.

Mobeer

I've bought 2 new build flats.

First was Crest Nicholson. Build quality was good, the finish was very nice. Lived there 6 years with very little in issues except for 1 neighbour that threw rubbish around, but that could happen anywhere. A few minor snagging issues were addressed quickly. When I first visited the site the property looked expensive, but requiring no updating and almost no maintenance in the 6 years I lived there saved a lot versus some of the older properties I looked at that needed work.

Second was Linden Homes. Build quality and finish a bit less, but the big spacious rooms were too good to turn down. Also a much bigger garage than you would get in older homes built when cars were much smaller than they are now. Snagging issues have taken longer to resolve but Linden Homes have continued to respond to progress issues found more than a year after completion. Nothing spent in maintenance at all so far.

wabbitwabbit_2

I have been in my new build Persimmon home for 5 weeks today and I love it.....no snags so far!
My home has 4 bedrooms, large lounge and separate dining room. I did pay extra for an Oak kitchen and integrated fridge/freezer.
I am having an oak floor laid and the fitters said how impressed they were with my home and the finish.

Dan-Dan

Chlorine7 wrote: »

Exactly the reason I was hoping to get opinions, experiences from those who have been happy. Thanks very much!

So basically , you just wanted confirmation and reassurance that your choice to buy a new build was correct , you dont want a balanced view ?

And i think you dismissed Furts too easily , lots of experience of new builds from what i have read...

Chlorine7

Dan-Dan wrote: »

So basically , you just wanted confirmation and reassurance that your choice to buy a new build was correct , you dont want a balanced view ?

And i think you dismissed Furts too easily , lots of experience of new builds from what i have read...

Actually no. There are many, many stories about problems with new builds and that made me change my mind about them. These are incredibly easy to find.

Then I realised people don't generally get on the internet to say how good something is unless it surpassed their expectations. Mostly people get online to rant/have a moan/actually get something done about something rubbish that has happened.

I wanted a views from people who have had no massive disasters and lived in their places for more than 6 months to know if new builds are really that bad or if people have had good experiences. They also seem to give some good tips to watch out for too, which I personally find very helpful and I am grateful for them.

I did not dismiss his/her views. I think they're very valid but it appears that they are not living in a new build. I don't know their background, what they do nor their experiences of new builds. Furts essentially just confirmed that rubbish things about new builds that I have already read in my research.

I'm not sure why it's a problem that I'm trying to get the views from the other side of the fence?

I also don't see why it would be an issue if I was looking for reassurance and confirmation? People sometimes need reassurance from those more experienced than they are.

andyuk01

Purchased a new build Sept last year.

Couple of small snags that i noticed in the first few weeks were fixed promptly, just had my 1 year inspection with the agent and noted 4 issues, 3 of which are really minor and a chippy has already phoned me to make an appointment

1 last issue to do with patio doors still outstanding but nothing major

I am quite fortunate that my rooms (penthouse) are big, square room, some of the others in the development are very odd shapes

Ive spent about £50 on misc bits and pieces in the last year, my friend who bought a Victorian 2 up 2 down style terrace has spent nearly £10k in the same period on a new boiler, cooker, replacing stair rails and fixing leaks in the roof

Furts

Chlorine7 wrote: »

I did not dismiss his/her views. I think they're very valid but it appears that they are not living in a new build. I don't know their background, what they do nor their experiences of new builds. Furts essentially just confirmed that rubbish things about new builds that I have already read in my research.

In the interests of a balanced discussion, and thank you to Dan Dan, I work in new build and I live in a new build.

My advice to all would be to excercise extreme caution before becoming a new build purchaser.

I believe my post was balanced and reasonable. A new home will be suitable for many people and for many reasons.

Those with reasonable expectations of the points I raised and with reasonable expectations of craftsmanship and quality should cast their net further afield.

Which Magazine produced a critical article in 2006. This followed the Barker Report of 2004 which followed the report of... etc etc. All were critical of the the industry. It has an appalling reputation which has not improved over the last thirty years.

fart

After working as a builder's labourer on many new builds, i would never buy one myself - the workmanship is SHOCKING and a lot of defects are 'papered over'.

Chlorine7

Furts wrote: »

In the interests of a balanced discussion, and thank you to Dan Dan, I work in new build and I live in a new build.

My advice to all would be to excercise extreme caution before becoming a new build purchaser.

I believe my post was balanced and reasonable. A new home will be suitable for many people and for many reasons.

Those with reasonable expectations of the points I raised and with reasonable expectations of craftsmanship and quality should cast their net further afield.

It wasn't made clear that you lived in one and obviously you have a lot of experience to share and have inside knowledge of the building that occurs.

Again, I have not dismissed your views and I have found them very helpful and they back-up the stories of issues that people have published online. I also think getting the good points from people will not only help me but others in a similar situation and I shouldn't be looked down on for that.

Am I not exhibiting caution by getting advice, knowledge and experience from happy and not-so happy people? I'm not going to run out and buy something tomorrow. I am still researching the pros and cons of new and old.

Although, what I am noticing is that those who have actually worked on the new builds are more against than for them...