New build advice

JamesN

Hi all

Looking for some reassurance and advice. We have just negotiated on a new build. It was up for 305k and we got it for 295k and a few k towards upgrades. Agent says the other plots of similar ilk went for 300+.

Lots of people say new build are hard to get deals on and sometimes you hear someone has got 30k off a 250k build. Just feel it is hard to gauge. Im happy whuch i guess is the main thing but slightly apprehensive.

Now to the advice, we need to pay extra for flooring, is it best to shop around or does getting it through the developer usually offer good value?

Is there anything else worth shopping around for or making sure it gets added?

Thanks all!

Chanes

First, you have paid a premium for a new house (worth it for the guarantee and peace of mind methinks) and this will be your home. If you spend time stressing about what other people are getting and what you have got you are wrecking the pleasure of this being your home because you're spending it finding reasons to think it is a bad thing? Aren't you?

When it comes to buying things you might find the builder can get a good deal but shop around like for like, flooring comes in lots of qualities.

I love new houses but there were none available near me to buy. I would try and get the best deal and then resist seeing what other people have got. Enjoy your shiny new home.

jaxkesa

I was able to get stamp duty paid but nothing else and they wouldn't budge on the asking price. So I would be very happy with getting 10k off if I were you!

The builder has strongly recommended getting carpets through them but they have yet to give me a price. I'm going to wait and see if it's cheaper to get it done elsewhere.

LeoTLion

Generally, if a developer does it then they will charge top dollar. The up side of this is that it will be done before you move in, so less hassle. The downside is that sometimes the people they use aren't the best. if you have it done yourself you can choose a firm with a good reputation and they might even cost less.

I would say it is worth contacting some local trades people with dimensions and an idea of what type of floor you want and they will give you a rough quote and then compare it to what the developer is charging.

chanz4

3k to carpet our house 3bed semi

JamesN

Thanks all. Appreciate the realism, it is so easy to panic with such a big out lay. The only thing that threw me off a bit was the haggling was quite easy. Not sure if that is because we got on really well with the agent or because it was above market in the first place.

Going to finalise things today and officially reserve it (currently holding it for us).

Didn't realise carpet was so expensive, we got the few k for that and a few other things but seems it won't cover the carpet! May need to push for a bit more but it isn't a deal breaker.

giddypenguin

I think it depends on a number of factors, some builders haggle more than others, some will make a better deal near year/quarter end to boost figures, some will sell the last few plots off cheaper just to get off site and onto the new project...

Unfortunately you can't compare prices so you just have to be happy you can afford the price and it's fair. I'm sure the mortgage company valuer won't let you pay over the odds!

As for carpets, I would say shop around - get quotes to show your builder (my guess is they will not be favourably priced!) you can ask them to match the quotes (worth a go...). But if you decide to go with another company you can ask if they will allow them to be installed before completion (our builder allowed us to do some bits and bobs between exchange and completion so things were ready when we moved in)

borkid

We bought off plan and chose to get the developers to haggle for the flooring from the shop they usually use for carpets. The flooring was more expensive than if we'd bought it ourselves from our own choice of shop but it was very good quality. If we'd bought it from the shop they use ourselves it would have been alot more. We got it for the cost of the flooring and all the underlay/ fitting etc was free. Also it was fitted before the skirting was fitted ( solid wood floor) so didn't need to either remove skirting for fitting or have beading to cover the gap.

comeandgo

If your flooring is tiles, wooden or linoleum and your builder does it at an extra there will be no VAT charged. If you do it yourselves there will be a VAT charge. Carpets there will always be VAT charged.

robatwork

JamesN wrote: »

Hi all

Looking for some reassurance and advice. We have just negotiated on a new build. It was up for 305k and we got it for 295k and a few k towards upgrades. Agent says the other plots of similar ilk went for 300+.

First thing: That person in the sales office - they are a liar.

Don't believe one thing they say. They are paid to make sales and will say anything at all. "Yes Sir it's a power shower". "You are getting a great discount compared to all the other buyers on this estate". "We have a great foreman working here who will ensure your house is finished to the highest specification".

These are all examples of untruths you have probably heard - I certainly have. All lies.

Second thing: Write your snagging list and send it to the builders. Keep it all in writing.

JamesN

Thanks all. I'll be sure to shop around.

They said we can fill a form in which allows the flooring company to go in early and fit what we request.

I was suspicious of that too just because it was so easy but they've actually been very honest. For example, telling me not to bother with certain upgrades as we would save much more doing it ourselves.

I've also decided to get a professional in to do the snagging. For a couple of hundred it just seems worth it to ensure we have a good quality house.

Any other general advice is much appreciated.

Thanks all.