New builds

Jon_B_2

PalacePurple wrote: »

new build s have tiny rooms and are timber framed mostly . best houses are 70s or 80s build,solid
me thinks

Less than 25% of new builds are timber framed. Sheer majority are still masonry built.

They feel flimsy as they use a lot of stud plasterboard walling internally.

AnnieO1234

Quality of new build all comes down to the developers and the estate. I wouldn't buy any upgrades personally as invariably you can get them done much cheaper. Our home was built in 2012, is a large size on a large plot. Of 186 dwellings all but 3 are owner occupied xxx

PalacePurple

Jon_B wrote: »

Less than 25% of new builds are timber framed. Sheer majority are still masonry built.

They feel flimsy as they use a lot of stud plasterboard walling internally.

cra p move on
we have the internet to do the research, yawn

Jon_B_2

PalacePurple wrote: »

cra p move on
we have the internet to do the research, yawn

What's your problem big boy? Facts get in the way of good new build bashing?

You don't have to look hard to see the figures I quoted.

ukcarper

PalacePurple wrote: »

new build s have tiny rooms and are timber framed mostly . best houses are 70s or 80s build,solid
me thinks

I would not agree that 70s and 80s built houses are the best mine was built in the late 70s and is not that good and timber framed houses came in in the early 80s.

Vampgirl

Some of the builder's extras can be good value - it really depends on what it is and which builder it is. You need to get prices from them for everything and then compare with how much it would cost and how easy/difficult it would be to do it yourself.

We had extra floor and wall tiling (the cost was slightly more than doing it ourselves, but we were prepared to pay for the convenience), kitchen upgrade to get better/nicer doors (cheaper than replacing them ourselves) and lots of extra sockets (their price was much cheaper than getting an electrician in to do it later, and much easier too).

We didn't get any appliances from them and we arranged our own carpets (the builder's range was very limited, and overpriced). We also didn't get the garden turfed though their price actually was pretty reasonable for that.

knightstyle

we did the DIY route. But first check with the builders if things like carpets can be done before completion. We had the room carpets fitted first then the hall and stairs after we had moved in. A wise move as the entrance soon had mud trodden in due to wet weather and un finished gardens.
Kitchen I did myself by adding to what was already there.
The only thing I would pay extra for is power points, are there enough in the right places?

Filo25

Jon_B wrote: »

If you negotiate it all to the purchase price - no brainer. Yes the carpets they lay aren't the greatest, but you can upgrade as and when required.

Yes they're normally a lot more willing to throw in some of the extras for free than negotiate on purchase price, for the obvious reason that negotiating on price helps push down the price of future sales, but future buyers have no idea what was included for your purchase price, all they can see is that you paid asking price.

GwylimT

It depends entirely on the builder, when we bought this flat it was cheaper to have a granite work top as an optional extra rather than having one fitted ourselves.

Adding extra powerpoints was cheaper than us hiring an electrician.

Turf was the same cost as doing it ourselves, so we had them do it as it was easier.

The thing we did was the driveway, their price for decent flag stones was quite high, we requested that the level the area and ready it for laying, instead of paving over the top which they did. Their price for flag stones in the living room, kitchen, dining room and bathrooms however was very reasonable so we went for that, it was cheaper and easier than getting someone in.

GwylimT

PalacePurple wrote: »

new build s have tiny rooms and are timber framed mostly . best houses are 70s or 80s build,solid
me thinks

Mine has lovely big rooms, we could easily have a full size snooker table in the living room with more than enough room to comfortably play and have a few sofas. Only around 25% of new builds are timber framed. Ours isn't, all internal walls are also brick. Fantastic parking, at least two spaces for each property, visitors parking and our on site team ensure no one is able to take the pee.