Massive new house issues and overpaid

steveoz

Hi All,

I just wanted some advice on this one.

I recently moved into a new build property in hampshire. There were 8 houses in the street and all are identical.

Before the purchase we tried to negotiate on price but were told they don’t move on price, just throw in extras (as to not lower the value of the properties in the street). Well we got a deal and were told we had upgraded flooring package, kitchen and lots of other stuff that wasn’t standard.

Fast forward a few months and we’ve discovered that all of the properties were sold within four weeks of each other and we paid 30-40k more than our neighbours! That equates to oir entire life savings being wiped out that we put into the house of 40k!

To add insult to injury the carpets, appliances, kitchen etc is all standard issue as it is the same as theirs.

I’m absolutely livid, how on earth can the builders do this?

To make matters even worse we have had a terrible experience, there’s a ton of design flaws so much so the builders are changing the design and plans for the next phase, we’ve had part of the roof collapse, some pretty major plumbing leaks causing internal damage, structural issues and appliances and a snag list pages and pages long.

I don’t know what to do to be honest. We feel let down, ripped off and have a bad quality house all at the same time.

I’m not sure there is anything we can do

Alan2020

Sorry to be blunt but you either had a sheltered life or not realistic.

There is a skill called negotiating a price, you just aren’t good at it. The other buyers were better at it.

Do you really think all the houses are perfect. They all have design flaws, you just fix them as it affects you.

My current one a chalet style house (featured in a lot of adverts ) looks good but has a lot of flaws. Built in the 60s mind. First owner was happy with it but 50years later I sorted them. Air blasting under the first floor joists due to a massive design fault, massive design faults in the warm air heating system etc:rotfl:

You just learnt an important lesson in life, a house is only worth what it’s new owner wants to pay.

However don’t worry, someone else like you exists in this world and will pay more for your house as it was more expensive so must be special

G_M

I shop at Waitrose.

https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/taylors-of-harrogate-yorkshire-160-tea-bags/020157-9822-9823

My sister shops at Iceland

https://groceries.iceland.co.uk/taylors-of-harrogate-yorkshire-tea-160-teabags-2b-50-free-750g/p/38883

That wipes out my monthly pub night!

As for the design flaws, I presume you have
* listed them
* demanded they are repaired/rectified
* requested a timescale and
* checked they are also covered by the NHBC warranty (or similar)


??

Davesnave

That tea, whether you buy it from Waitrose or Aldi, comes with more consumer confidence than houses. Whatever the supermarket, you'll always get what you expect inside.

Because new builds aren't like that, there's more scope for things to go wrong and a much greater need for due diligence on the part of the consumer.

If I were buying a new property, the first thing I'd do is research the builder in some depth and visit some other developments they've done to ask owners for their opinions.

What research did you do? What guarantee did you get with the property and who is it backed by?

lookstraightahead

House values fluctuate daily depending upon supply and demand, the economy, and so on. People have lost property through negative equity, not been able to pay their bills because of interest rates, and at tgethe other end if the scale become millionaires when properties boomed. Buying a new house has its risks too - a bit like a new car loses value once you drive it off the forecourt, for a while.

I don't know about the other stuff I guess you have to work out / complain - that sounds like it is a pain x

If you stay in the house long enough it will eventually go back up again (I'm sure you would be happy to get more than you paid!) so just enjoy the house - it doesn't really matter what your neighbours have.

lookstraightahead

I shop at Waitrose and Lidl and nothing in between. They're the only two supermarkets I like !

elmer

I live in a street of 5 identical houses, they were all sold at different prices, we bought at about the middle of the range, but that was just accidental as we were unaware when we bought it what our neighbours paid for their houses. The spread was 20K 15 years ago, so similar to the difference for you now.

15 years later it isn't really anything that makes any difference

elmer

[Deleted User]

steveoz wrote: »

I’m absolutely livid, how on earth can the builders do this?

It's terrible. All other businesses sell their products for the lowest price they can.

For some reason, builders are the only people who will accept a higher price if someone is willing to pay it.

stator

Sorry OP, but the issue about the price is not something you can do anything about. You just paid too much for it. It's not anyone's fault, just a fact of life.


The problems with your house should be fixed by the original builder. If they aren't giving you satisfaction you should involve the NHBC

Cakeguts

We bought a new house several years ago as a property to let and it was one of the early ones to sell on the site. We booked the plot on a Sunday and on Monday the prices for the whole development went up by £2000. Prices on new developments change this is normal.

csgohan4

If prices went up, would you be willing to pay the difference?

You were clearly happy with the price at the time and paid for it, prices do fluctuate.

It's like buying a new car and realizing it reduced in price a few months/years later, do you ask for a refund?


OP you needed a professional snagger at the beginning