Fitting out a new build

toffee_pie

Have deposit down on a new build from DWH, I am at the stage of getting 'upgrades' and my wife is hell bent on paying over the odds for fixings, tiles and so on and willing to eat into extra mortage budget to cover this.

I reckon I can save a few thousand or more from getting tilings, quartz kitchen top, uprated sockets, carpets and lighting done by third parties - all approved of course. She doesnt want to listen and most of my money is going into this mortage.

Has anyone else used third parties to furnish to do the above? Work which also will come with a warranty.

Have meeting in 2 weeks about this when we need to lock down what we want or dont want, in my mind i would tick dont want and get others to fit these later -

cheers.:)

hunte78

We found ourselves in the same position as you when purchasing our New build. We wrote out a list of things we felt we needed, and things we desired. We decided to get vinyl laid in kitchen/utility and bathrooms, we are going to arrange the carpets through a 3rd party because it is going to be much cheaper.

It is difficult to decide when you realise you are paying a premium for some basic items.

G_M

You have two issues: money and relationship!


The money is easy. What deals can you get from the developer for the list of items/work you want and what's the total cost? Vs what will it cost for he same stuff if you source it yourself (or DIY)?


Usually you pay for convenience (though not always), and it sounds like your wife prefers this option. A nice spanking New Build, fully fitted, and ready to move in and live in on day 1 with nothing more to do.


So - how well do you and your wife get on............?

AnotherJoe

Are you moving in from rented so can leave it vacant whilst the work is done?
You could show your wife stories about all the issues with new builds and try to convince here your approach will lead to fewer snagging issues.

AdrianC

First off, you need to check what the developer's minimum state of finish at completion is.

Will they leave the kitchen without worktops and tiles?
Will they install first fix wiring to suit your lighting and socket positioning?
Will they allow your trades on site before completion?

Depending on all that, you may find it's actually easier to pay them to do the "upgrades".

toffee_pie

the 'upgrades' are scandalous - we have a pearl kitchen as standard, a good will gesture or whatever you call, its the best kitchen they have - induction hob etc but it doesnt have any quartz or granite top which i want (from speaking with them this will be ££££ extra), we get no flooring at all.

tiles for the kitchen, hall, downstairs WC, en suite and main bathroom will be £4672, now I am an Electronic Engineer and not a trades person but I am pretty sure I could get top notch tiles laid down for a fraction of this cost by someone else.

The kitchen top will probably be £3k from what I heard, plus the flush LED lights I specified, some electircal sockets with USB and upgraded to chrome - all these will be several thousands more. I can get many of these fixing from screwfix or whatnot for much less.

I am renting until this is ready but would rather rent longer than pay crazy over the odds prices to move in sooner (due date for build end of June) - I have ample Project Management experience so can easily enough get support from qualified trades people to do the other jobs.

I am waiting on finished prices for the upgrades called out above but expect some abhorrent figure and to my mind would just say no and get others complete the work.

I could leave the build 'standard' but since many of my wants require some modifications whether its to sockets / kitchen tops and ceiling lights i would rather get it done correct now

I may well tell them to leave the kitchen top empty so i can fit the quartz top myself and likewise leave sockets empty with wiring so i can complete the jobs.

its not like DWH are short of a few bob! and I am sure I can get top quality fittings installed with great skill and save a packet.

maybe the the expense of my marriage however...!


** edit, have not mentioned the wardrobes for the bedrooms which the OH wants, I have not seen prices but expect it to be upwards of £2k, so the tiles and wardrobes alone is £7k++ -- **

toffee_pie

AdrianC wrote: »

First off, you need to check what the developer's minimum state of finish at completion is.

Will they leave the kitchen without worktops and tiles?
Will they install first fix wiring to suit your lighting and socket positioning?
Will they allow your trades on site before completion?

Depending on all that, you may find it's actually easier to pay them to do the "upgrades".

the kitchen will be fully fitted out, however i want the quartz top which is an upgrade and requires a new wash basin etc, also its not tiled or floored at all (entire house) - all sockets and lighting will be done but i want some changes here also (i could leave them stock and change later i guess, but getting recessed lights requires the ceiling to be altered so that needs be done now)

I dont expect these upgrades for gratis but at the same time I am not willing to pay over the odds considering all the other things that need to be bought, furniture etc

Owain_Moneysaver

There are things which can (or must) be done during construction - some form of kitchen worktop is included as without a functional the house won't be given its building regs completion certificate or be mortgageable.

First fix wiring and plumbing obviously. Builders will not usually leave first fix wiring/plumbing in for you to add your own accessories, so you'd have to accept their bog standard white stuff then swap to your own chrome ones later. USB sockets though - will they be fitting pattress boxes deep enough?

Extra tiling and floorcoverings can come later.

However "extras" are an important negotiating point, if it's not too late. Builders are reluctant to give cash discounts but can usually be motivated to give free or heavily discounted extras especially as they know it doesn't cost them anything near the 'retail' price of the work to do when they've labour and tools on site anyway.

Also work out how much each £1000 of paid for extras is going to cost you over the life of the mortgage - that's the real cost. At 3.92% that's £1,570.

toffee_pie

good advice, thanks - for the sockets i will leave alone can upgrade later but will get the USB fitted in the kitchen since it will be deeper recess.

For the kitchen top, I can keep the current one as stock and upgrade to granite or quartz later, with a new wash basin.

can all the tiling and carpets be done once keys are handed over? thats a huge saving, if i can get these done myself it would be a great help

the wardrobes i have not seen the prices but expect them to be marked up too much and the wife wants them fitted pronto, as they do.!

AdrianC

Bet BR sign-off wouldn't be an issue with a sheet of 18mm WBP ply...

"No, it's a design decision..."

jp1233

Hi there, I'm moving into a David Wilson new build in a couple of weeks. We did the negotiation before even paying the £500 reservation fee in terms of upgrades etc. The one thing we left was flooring, entirely left it for us to get a local professional in. Better quality of carpets and underlay, more choice and MUCH cheaper. 1200 square feet at £3800 ish with 1/3 of that laminate. Completing on the Friday and the carpet fitters are in on the Monday/Tuesday. We are renting so plenty of time to sort house out with that, sky man for sat dish, fitting curtains, toilet roll holders, etc etc, all the little things.