Opinions on new builds

lindsaygalaxy

Evening


I know this is a bit of a Marmite question, but what do people thing about them?


There is a new small development going up nearby. I have always been quite against them - overpriced and over developed but now not so sure. House prices are rising fast in this area with an average 3 bed nearly 300k. We are FTBs. Each 2/3/4 property on the development has 2 car parking spaces, some with garages.


Are new builds a bad investment? We need to get out of renting. My daughter has epilepsy and it is important to us that we buy a house near to where she will go to secondary school so that she doesn't need to cross any roads and other over cautious things I worry about.

Pixie5740

You'd be buying a home, not an investment.

New build quality depends on the builder and even then can vary wildly for development to development. I like that new builds tend to be better insulated than older properties so cheaper gas bills.

NobodysChild

It is a matter of opinion, but I would never go for new build. I know quite a few people this past 5-6 years who have had SO many problems and issues with their new build.

A couple me and DH know have had nothing but problems all year since they moved into their new build in January! Ranging from both showers packing up and the housebuilders taking 2 weeks to fix them, to 2 of the 3 loos packing up and again taking 2 weeks for them to come, to the boiler packing up 3 times, (and two of the times they took a month to come out!) Then there have been various structural issues, and leaks and all sorts. And the others we have known report similar issues.

A couple of my friends also complain about hearing every noise from next door too, as the quality of the house is not great. I have been informed by people who have worked in housebuilding this past 10 to 15 years or so, that the quality of the houses now tend to be much poorer than they were mid 90s and earlier. They build as many houses as possible as cheaply and as quickly as possible, and in the smallest space possible! Very few homes now have big gardens, and they often have much smaller rooms than pre mid 90s homes.

I guess someone has to move into them, and I guess you will eventually get everything sorted; but if it were me, then no, I would not buy new build.

Doesn't mean you shouldn't bother, but you did ask.

jennifernil

I think so much depends on the developer.

DD bought a new-build 2 years ago, and it is a very nice property. Decent room sizes and very well insulated.

She was able to plan her own kitchen and bathrooms, choose appliances, move sockets and radiators. Doors and walls too within reason.

The garden is small, being a terraced, 4 bedroom townhouse, but probably big enough for her to cope with. There was a small patio area, and both back and front were turfed.

There are 2 living rooms, 3 bathrooms, cloakroom with WC, and good utility room. Excellent cupboard space. And 2 private parking spaces.

The build quality is good, almost no noise from adjacent properties, nothing has broken down. Some initial minor snags, but quickly sorted. Now she has been in 2 years, she has just had the 2 year snagging list sorted.

All in all, she is very satisfied. The property is in Glasgow.

lindsaygalaxy

Can I ask if anyone knows of house builders with a good reputation? These are being built by David Wilson.

EverGreen_2

I am in the same boat as you are. I have been actively searching for the most suitable house. We don't buy/sell houses every day.
There are "Pros & Cons" for old/new houses. Multiple factors are considered, including budget, area, personal preferences, taste etc.
I guess your focus is on the building quality which is understandable. Some people, like myself, would love the privacy and space. I want to feel at home when I go in and close my door or when taking the kids to school early morning in my front driveway/ or relaxing in my backyard etc.


I heard a lot of complains and cons from the new buildings. I appreciate the pros from Jennifer (above).
This question comes to my mind: do the buyers of the new buildings have got the option to hire surveyors or experts for professional report assessment of the house before they move into it? This is because "warranty of any level" does not seen to be satisfactory. The small print has always been an issue in everywhere you go.

barnaclebill

We just moved to a 50 year old house, have replaced the bath with big shower and changed all the kitchen, before we bought this we considered a new build in the area, both detached, the new build had very small rooms and the washing machine was in the cupboard under the stairs. The lounge in this house is huge, our 55" tv looks small.
Get an older house that needs some work, you will get bigger rooms more garden and possible better build quality.

nubbins

Hi,

It depends on the builder but I wouldn't write off a new build as they do have there advantages. If neither of you are DIY'ers and cant be bothered with the hassle of trying to find a property with potential, living in a half finished building for years and are going to stay there for quite a while then it could be ideal. When you move in it really is like buying a new car, everything is new shiny and untouched but like others have mentioned here if you are looking at it at as a short term investment then a new build is not for you. I bought a new build a good number of years ago for 250k, it took 6 years to get over the price I paid, partly due to the stamp duty threshold and partly due to the fact that it was a new build but the property is now worth closer to 375k. If you have more important things going on in your life than trying to make a quick profit from the property and the builder is reputable then its worth a look.

Running_On_Empty

No-one else's opinion is worthwhile as some people are snobbish and anti new builds, their thinking being that only a draughty old Victorian terrace will do to those who love the idea of a pristine brand new home.
I have had three new builds and two older houses. Am open minded but your daughter's situation is the prime consideration and not what people here think about new builds. If it suits you and your family, trust your own judgement. David Wilson is well known builder but have never bought one of theirs.

thegrind

The advantages of new build houses and those of recent construction is that they are energy efficient, if you've every switched the heating on in a new build its literally minutes before you start to warm the place up. Everything is new and under some sort of warranty.

The dry lining is not to everyones taste but the insulation and sound proofing behind it is very effective.

I would say that old houses are of more sturdy construction but a lot were built post war or thrown up in the 60s and 70s and people go into buying these thinking they've got a discount on the house as it needs work, maybe as the owner has been there for 50 years and has recently died for example.

But such as the market is today people are paying over the odds for old houses that need work and do not realise the amount building materials cost and not to mention the labour also.

But i think its personal opinion.

Thrugelmir

NobodysChild wrote: »

A couple of my friends also complain about hearing every noise from next door too, as the quality of the house is not great.

Many older properties are no better.