New Build Extras

Dannyboy29

The cost of extras was added to our final solicitors bill along with fees, deposit etc. Which I assume is the norm.


I was initially hesitant to arrange for Taylor Wimpey to do the flooring, but in the end was very impressed with the quality and finish throughout. Plus it means you can just get straight on with moving your furniture in without any upheavel later.


They didn't manage to get our turf done until 2 months after we moved in so I probably wouldn't bother with that route again.

bod1467

Bear in mind that carpets and turf (and most other things) will be the cheapest they can get away with so as to maximise their profit. They'll have plenty of wriggle room on the pricing, but the key is ... negotiate BEFORE handing over any money.

And as mentioned earlier ... make sure any deposit truly is fully refundable - check the T&Cs.

dannyrst

Dannyboy29 wrote: »

The cost of extras was added to our final solicitors bill along with fees, deposit etc. Which I assume is the norm..

Sorry, does that mean you paid for the extras up front? If so, I may aswell give up now. I can't afford that cost plus deposit plus mortgage fees all up front.

I guess I'll have to wait for the next ones to come up when I've had chance to save more money!

dannyrst

bod1467 wrote: »

Bear in mind that carpets and turf (and most other things) will be the cheapest they can get away with so as to maximise their profit. They'll have plenty of wriggle room on the pricing, but the key is ... negotiate BEFORE handing over any money.

And as mentioned earlier ... make sure any deposit truly is fully refundable - check the T&Cs.

Thanks for this. I'll be sure to negotiate anything before handing any money over.

arbrighton

Dannyboy29 wrote: »

The cost of extras was added to our final solicitors bill along with fees, deposit etc. Which I assume is the norm.


I was initially hesitant to arrange for Taylor Wimpey to do the flooring, but in the end was very impressed with the quality and finish throughout. Plus it means you can just get straight on with moving your furniture in without any upheavel later.


They didn't manage to get our turf done until 2 months after we moved in so I probably wouldn't bother with that route again.

We charged for extras when requested, prior to fitting even if exchange hadn't taken place, particularly if they were things that needed doing at a certain stage in the building process so if you passed it, tough. Difficult if you change your mind, i agree but that's how it was.

Turf can't be laid in all seasons and they were probably waiting until they had a few to do as well

TBeckett100

You should be getting stamp duty, carpets and lawn thrown in with the developer. Right now, they should be pleasing all potential buyers. Play hardball

Hutch100uk

I am in the process of buying a house with Linden Homes. We got stamp duty paid, all flooring included and turf in the garden. We tried negotiating on other stuff but they wouldn't budge (probably because the prices of the houses had also been dropped). We tried to get upgraded carpets/flooring as they give you the cheapest of the cheap and it has to be the same carpet through the whole house!!!

Anyway, we thought it was still good to get free flooring so have gone with it and just paid a bit extra to get better flooring in the kitchen/dining room. We have had to pay that in advance and think that is normal. That, however, is money you wouldn't get back if things fell through.

Make sure you check your reservation fee is 100% refundable because that is unusual. We would only have got 50% of it back if we changed our minds.

dannyrst

Hutch100uk wrote: »

I am in the process of buying a house with Linden Homes. We got stamp duty paid, all flooring included and turf in the garden. We tried negotiating on other stuff but they wouldn't budge (probably because the prices of the houses had also been dropped). We tried to get upgraded carpets/flooring as they give you the cheapest of the cheap and it has to be the same carpet through the whole house!!!

Anyway, we thought it was still good to get free flooring so have gone with it and just paid a bit extra to get better flooring in the kitchen/dining room. We have had to pay that in advance and think that is normal. That, however, is money you wouldn't get back if things fell through.

Make sure you check your reservation fee is 100% refundable because that is unusual. We would only have got 50% of it back if we changed our minds.

It's a Redrow home and it's the early bird incentive. From their website:

The Early Bird Scheme is available on those Redrow developments where properties have yet to be released on open sale. To make that home your own, just put down a fully refundable deposit, complete a quick and easy Early Bird Reservation form and then relax. When the property is released for sale, you'll have first refusal. If for any reason you cannot proceed with the purchase, we'll return your deposit, no questions asked.

TrickyTree83

dannyrst wrote: »

It's a Redrow home and it's the early bird incentive. From their website:

<< Redrow buyer.

Absoluetly get your flooring and turf elsewhere and opt for different extras. Those which you might like that you're unable to do without ripping holes in your ceilings and walls.

The amtico option is so expensive, yet we're having a larger surface area done in the same LVT product, same guarantee for more than £4,000 less. If they're offering fitted wardrobes from Hammonds, take them. Redrow are actually offering them at less than you can get the from Hammonds (I had a designer come out and quote me). They also wanted to charge £1000+ for turfing the rear garden. You can do that cheaper yourself.

dannyrst

TrickyTree83 wrote: »

<< Redrow buyer.

Absoluetly get your flooring and turf elsewhere and opt for different extras. Those which you might like that you're unable to do without ripping holes in your ceilings and walls.

The amtico option is so expensive, yet we're having a larger surface area done in the same LVT product, same guarantee for more than £4,000 less. If they're offering fitted wardrobes from Hammonds, take them. Redrow are actually offering them at less than you can get the from Hammonds (I had a designer come out and quote me). They also wanted to charge £1000+ for turfing the rear garden. You can do that cheaper yourself.

Thanks for this! Do you know whether they offer to add the extras onto the mortgage? The flooring alone is around £5,000 for the whole house (cheapest options). When I did some rough over estimates, I worked out it would cost us £2,000 elsewhere. The office is closed today but we are hoping to go in and see if we can get something for free (stamp duty and flooring would be ideal). The turf is £495, which seems very overpriced, so I will happily arrange that separately.

We met with our mortgage advisor/friend yesterday and she said we can easily afford the mortgage (we would be borrowing £140k and can borrow up to £190k on basic salary, we both have guaranteed extra income though). The struggle is getting the deposit, stamp duty, extras, mortgage fees all paid for, so I'd be happy to skip all extras and use the time between paying the deposit and moving in (4 months) to save for flooring, fitted wardrobes etc. Even if it means paying a little more later on.