Springfield Properties opinion

Stela

Hi All,

My partner and I are living for the last 3 years in Glasgow and we are thinking to buy a new built house. However, we are not sure about the home building company. We are looking for a 3 bedroom house in Lenzie and the only companies that they offer us such a house is Persimmon Homes and Spriengfield. However, I read your reviews regarding Persimmon and I was disappointed as nobody is happy with that company. What about Springfield? What is your opinion? I did not find any reviews concerning them.

Thanks

19lottie82

I had a look on the Springfield website and they aren't offering any more 3 beds in either of their Lenzie developments, only 1 or 2.

Stela

The next phase of the development will release this week and there will be 3 bedroom available houses. However, I am worried about the quality of the company. Do you know anything about them?

scottishblondie

I bought a property from Springfield on one of their Glasgow developments in August last year. The house was completed in December so I've been living here for a little over 10 months now. They're a relatively small builder, only operating in Scotland, and I hadn't even heard of them until I went to see the development at my mum's suggestion. Based on my personal experiences, I don't think you need to worry about the quality of the company.

The quality of the house is very good. They addressed my snagging list promptly, and the only semi-ongoing problem I had was with a set of French doors which had a lot of issues, but that has now been resolved. As the house was being finished internally I was also kept appraised and asked about how I would like any issues resolved. The site manager was very helpful and knowledgeable.

The main thing I liked about Springfield over other builders is the customisation of the property that they allow. They'll let you change whatever you want about the house internally for no extra charge (as long as it is possible to change it!), so I made a lot of changes like moving sockets and radiators to suit my needs. I didn't move any doors or walls, but they will do that too. They also let you choose the bathroom tiles and the paint colour for each room. I understand that most new house builders don't allow those sorts of things.

I also added extras like more sockets and had them install network cabling throughout the house, for which there was of course a charge. I made significant changes to the kitchen - their "standard" layout was a bit rubbish but you can completely change it and select your own appliances etc. You then have to pay for the extra above the cost of the standard layout and appliances.

If you've got any specific questions about them I'd be happy to answer as best I can!

Stela

Hi

Thanks so much for you reply… I have read so many bad reviews for other companies that I am more suspicious…
What is the snagging list? It has to do with home survey as I was wondering if it is needed for a new built and in which stage. So we can make any changes like design rooms or add a bathroom before they start building right? Can we also check each and every stage of our house? There is also a warranty of 10 years, right?

Thanks again for the information. Much appreciated

scottishblondie

Stela wrote: »

Hi

Thanks so much for you reply… I have read so many bad reviews for other companies that I am more suspicious…

What is the snagging list? It has to do with home survey as I was wondering if it is needed for a new built and in which stage.

There won't be a home report - they aren't required on new builds. Your mortgage company will likely send a surveyor to do a quick valuation survey.

The snagging list is unrelated, it's something you compile yourself (or you can hire a professional snagging company). It's a list of all the defects in the house that the builder should rectify e.g. broken window locks, toilet flush not working, damaged wood work etc. When you get the keys you should go through each room individually to check for defects. Also check the outside of the house including the garden and any other buildings. I downloaded a snagging list from the internet to help with this. You then submit this to the builder.


So we can make any changes like design rooms or add a bathroom before they start building right?

The changes you can make to the house are limited by several things, including the planning permission and the design of the house. As such major changes like adding a bathroom probably won't be possible. You can shift around internal walls and doors though. Several of my neighbours did this. The position of windows will be fixed by the planning permission for the house, so you can also only do this within reason. Bear in mind that this is still a house which is being built to a plan, it is not completely bespoke!

Can we also check each and every stage of our house?

They will not ordinarily let you into the house when it is under construction for health and safety reasons. I visited my house twice before it was finished, accompanied by the site manager, to look at a couple of problems. They are happy to give you updates on the progress of the house, and you can look at it from a distance! The week before your date of entry is likely to be the first time you get to have a proper look around. They will take you for a "demonstration" and you can poke around then. Any issues that are noticed at that point can probably be corrected before you take possesion.

There is also a warranty of 10 years, right?

Springfield properties come with the 10 year NHBC warranty, the same as the majority of new houses. For the first 2 years you would go directly to Springfield with any issues.

Thanks again for the information. Much appreciated

Replies above in red.

Stela

Thank you. You helped me a lot!!!

lauzt1987

Hi there. I was wondering if anyone was able to tell me how long it took for their plot to be released after 'early birding' a plot. We put down an early bird reservation fee a few weeks ago on a springfield plot and when I called the other day to ask if any progress, the sales person was incredibly evasive. She wouldn't give me any indication of when the plot would be released, when the houses would be finished or how much the price would be! Finding the process very frustrating. Thanks!