New-build timeline

St_95

Hi All

We reserved a new-build property approx. four weeks ago. At this point, the roof was on and windows/doors in place - so a watertight building. Today we received a letter - looks to be a standard computerised one - stating the completion is expected to be late Nov '19 to Feb '20.

Based on usual timelines, is it realistic that a watertight building as at four weeks ago could possible take that long to complete? For info - it is a second phase plot, and others have moved on both sides of our plot.

Thanks!

pattypan4

mine took 8 months from a finished house. Sewers etc needed to be signed off and only then did I exchange

RelievedSheff

Yes it does take that long. The plot at the bottom of our garden was made watertight about 8 weeks ago. The fit out is still a long way from finished. It could easily be another 8 weeks or more before it is ready to move into.

AdrianC

Just think about the list of things that can't even be started until the house is weathertight - and has dried off internally.

Interior woodwork/partitioning.
First fix electrics and plumbing.
Final interior woodwork/floors.
Plasterboard, plastering and decoration.
Kitchen & bathroom installation.
Second fix electrics and plumbing, including radiators, boiler.
Flooring.
Garden.
Testing and sign-off.

And yours is only one of the properties on the development, and many of the houses will be at a similar stage, right?

St_95

The first fit is complete as far as we are aware, we are too late in the build for extras to do with plumbing and electrics etc.

We are one of the last properties at this stage, the rest are have just been raised above foundations.

Davesnave

St_95 wrote: »

We are one of the last properties at this stage, the rest are have just been raised above foundations.

And if I was the builder, I might want to get the lid on those before the bad weather starts....


But we're all speculating. There simply isn't a time line beyond the theoretical.

St_95

All fair points. I guess we just didnt expect the completion date to be moved to Feb '20 after being told the end of Oct '19 at reservation.

RelievedSheff

It could be moved back further yet. Delays in construction of properties are not uncommon.

PasturesNew

Many things affect a timeline. It's not just the speed at which a house, or a dozen houses, can be built, it's also a juggling act for the developer along the way to have the funds in place at each stage, to settle their trade bills so they get services/labour for the next stage + whether any adverse weather has caused them to stop work + whether labour/machinery can be booked for the new dates.... lots of variables.

If you don't pay the carpenter for the first work, he'd not come back to do the next bit. If XYZ isn't completed, the funding's not there to pay the carpenter for the first work. If it rains for 3 weeks, everybody's diary is now full with other work.

Variables....

AdrianC

...if the carpenter's gone back to Lithuania because of Brexit.
...if some facia cladding materials are on back order because of Grenfell.
...if...
...if...

Claire1257

Mine is almost a year behind! Most recent delay because they had an accident putting a balcony on, so missed their slot with the crane company. Literally anything can happen!