Charged for extras after pulling out of sale

Bakerboy3685

jimbog wrote: »

That is bizarre. Why would you be held to 25% of the pre-negotiated price? That's like the Inland Revenue taxing you for a salary you might have had.

You owe 25% of £5667.22 = £1416.81. Send them this as a cheque for full and final payment with a copy of the relevent contract highlighted.

Well originally we were going to be paying for all the extras in full and I paid a percentage up front for them, but a month ago we decided to try and negotiate some money off the total bill, which we were successful in doing.

It just so happens the initial amount I had already paid up front before we negotiated a discount was exactly £1417.00 so pretty much bang on what you said above! So on that basis we have paid 25% of £5667.22 already. I'm hoping you are right and therefore I should have to pay no more. Im just wary how these companies can try and squeeze you especially as they have lost a sale.

need_an_answer

Can I be really bold and ask why you are pulling out of the sale?

I don't need a complicated explanation and understand personal reasons could be the answer which is fine...but I'm just curious as to how something you clearly wanted to invest a lot of money into turning it to how you wanted has turned sour before you even moved in.

getmore4less

^^^^^^

but a month ago we decided to try and negotiate some money off the total bill, which we were successful in doing.

Still keen a month ago, what changed?

jimbog

Bakerboy3685 wrote: »

I'm hoping you are right and therefore I should have to pay no more. Im just wary how these companies can try and squeeze you especially as they have lost a sale.

Whether they try and squeeze you or not doesn't affect the principal that there is nothing else to pay. I hope you are not feeling that you should give them more money because you may have upset them.

Whereas this money is playing on your mind, trust me, the salesman isn't sitting at home fretting about it too.

Bakerboy3685

need_an_answer wrote: »

Can I be really bold and ask why you are pulling out of the sale?

I don't need a complicated explanation and understand personal reasons could be the answer which is fine...but I'm just curious as to how something you clearly wanted to invest a lot of money into turning it to how you wanted has turned sour before you even moved in.

Main reason is the terrible reviews I have been reading about Barratt Homes. Being a big investment its not just when we move in, I'm thinking down the line if loads of problems start occurring is it going to be an absolute nightmare trying to get things sorted. I have read a number of people say they are not a good company to deal with once they have your money.

HampshireH

Main reason is the terrible reviews I have been reading about Barratt Homes. Being a big investment its not just when we move in, I'm thinking down the line if loads of problems start occurring is it going to be an absolute nightmare trying to get things sorted. I have read a number of people say they are not a good company to deal with once they have your money.

I don't mean to sound rude but thats a ridiculous reason. Surely with such a big investment you read the reviews before committing so much money?

Bakerboy3685

HampshireH wrote: »

I don't mean to sound rude but thats a ridiculous reason. Surely with such a big investment you read the reviews before committing so much money?

We did read reviews before committing and even confronted Barratts on them but they of course said that they will always sort any problems reported and reassured us that they are a very good company! Certainly the sales staff were very friendly but then that's their job to be like that! If anything they made us probably rush into buying as they basically said these houses will go quick if you don't reserve. That's our fault for not giving it more thought.

I said it was the main reason but there were others, the house we rent at the moment in the same area (same number of bedrooms) has a market value of around £60,000 less. Basically we are paying all that extra for a new build, it's just made us think we might be better off going for an older house. Plus with the dreaded B word looming who knows what might happen to house prices in the next few months. I am prepared to wait and see now.

getmore4less

NO different to buying any house once they have your money you are on your own.

New builds you do get a bit more comeback but they all have issues just depends on the site if you are dealing with some minor things or something major.

Can be easier to get stuff fixed if you buy early because you can wander into the sales offices when people are there to have your moan.

If this has scared you are you ready to buy any house?

need_an_answer

Bakerboy3685 wrote: »

Main reason is the terrible reviews I have been reading about Barratt Homes. Being a big investment its not just when we move in, I'm thinking down the line if loads of problems start occurring is it going to be an absolute nightmare trying to get things sorted. I have read a number of people say they are not a good company to deal with once they have your money.

Thank you for replying,I have to say you've been honest although without trying to sway your decision I do wonder if you are getting a one sided view of the housebuilder.


I have never bought a new build simply because of the premium price attached to it but I have bought a Barratt 2nd hand so to speak without problem....ive never posted a review of the property I bought,I just got on with it and that's my point I think...people only tend to bother to write scathing reviews or bad experiences so you are probably twice as likely to find bad stuff rather than the many thousands of people who buy and don't leave any review.


Whatever happens for you going forward,I hope you eventually find the home you are happy in.

lisyloo

I’ve built new builds before.
You get a guarantee on some things for a period of time e.g. 2 years,
If they give you the run around then you write a letter before action saying you’re doing it and will send them the bill, that gets them in gear.

For serious problems there’s nhbc.

We had nhbc round for a number of roof tiles and they sided with us.

You have a lot more cover with a new build than you do with a 2nd hand home where you have zero rights (unless the buyer actively lied in writing AND you can prove it).