Brand new house viewing checklist

Glen1977

Need some help please!

Moving house and we’ve seen a new build we like. Not made any offer yet, viewed it on Saturday and going back for a second viewing this Saturday.
I’ve had a good look on the web and have noted down some but what I really want is a website that provides a comprehensive checklist preferably for brand new houses so when I go back for the second viewing I can actually look at everything I need to so we have peace of mind we’ve checked as much as we can. I’m only cautious as we rushed through our current house and there were a few things that we didn’t find out about until after exchanging which we had to pay out for. Just don’t want this hassle again and obviously we can’t check every single thing but we just want to be sure we’ve done all we can! Thanks in advance, Glen.

libf

Google 'snagging list'. Or get a professional to do it for you.

Glen1977

Thanks, but already on the list! Wasn't something I knew about to be honest but will definitely be doing it.

Lungboy

I don't know how you'd check at the viewing stage, but there are countless posts in this forum about new build plots/garden or internal layout not matching the plans.

Glen1977

When you say 'plans' I've seen the floorplan on Rightmove and the estate agents and it looked fine when I visited? Although I've not actually measured each room, is this what you mean? Maybe I should measure but do they appear correct, it might look bad and not trusting to start measuring all the rooms! Maybe I'll do just one to check!

LittleMax

Is the house you are buying finished and you are going to view it or are you going to look at the showhome?

If the showhome then ask exactly what you will get and what you can pay extra for - start with all the things you wish you'd sorted out last time.

If you are viewing the actual house, then check that everything you see is included, and view it as you would any other house. The things that annoy me about our house is the kitchen design, lack of decent corner cupboards etc. But the house was finished there was no option for changing anything and it wasn't a pain enough not to buy the house, just living with it until we can fit a new kitchen.

teddysmum

Assuming a newly completed but not lived in house, I would check on:


1) Will any appliances, I wish to bring from a previous home, fit the spaces easily ?eg though a fridge freezer may fit into a space, is it possible to open the door without hitting something else ?


2) Is there enough storage space beyond wardrobes etc which I already own, as newbuilds seem to have less and less ? eg where will the vacuum, spare bedding etc go ?


3) Is the garden to be lawned and/or fenced ?


4) Will my furniture fit in a satisfactory arrangement and will it be easy to get in ? (Some staircases can be very difficult to negotiate with burdens)


5) What is the internet availability ? (There are lots of posts on here where people find they have very slow access, after moving in)

nubbins

Check sockets and light fittings are going to be you would like them to be. I bought a new build a while ago and wondered why the hell they had put some of them where they did, check if there is a maintenance charge for road and outside.Also check if parking is ok for more than one car, new build developers are terrible for not providing adequate parking spaces especially if you have a few visitors.
Check where the drain/ drain covers are going to be, I am sure I read on here that access for a few houses were from their plot.

Lungboy

Glen1977 wrote: »

When you say 'plans' I've seen the floorplan on Rightmove and the estate agents and it looked fine when I visited? Although I've not actually measured each room, is this what you mean? Maybe I should measure but do they appear correct, it might look bad and not trusting to start measuring all the rooms! Maybe I'll do just one to check!

No, I mean the plan of the actual plot you would be buying (maybe plan is the wrong word? The drawing you'd get from a Land Registry search) as the placement of boundaries seem to be very fluid on new build developments if this forum is anything to go by.