New build - negotiate on options?

HappyHomeBuyer

Hello,

We have reserved a new build property and are due to have the options meeting (where we choose the spec of finishes, appliances etc.) in the next few weeks. 

The builder is Miller Homes.

We have no experience of buying off plan and would appreciate any tips on what we could try to get thrown in or at a reduced price. As of yet, the cost price doesn’t include much at all - just basic appliances and kitchen, bathroom units. No flooring, and only bare minimum tiling in the bathrooms. Also no turf in back garden.

Has anyone experience of buying off plan and would give their experiences? Especially experiences with Miller Homes if possible. We’ve heard you don’t get much out of Miller!

I know we’d be chancing our arm and our naivety may be showing here - but if there’s anything that you think we definitely should ask for then your thoughts are appreciated. 

Cheers.

AdrianC

You've already reserved, so they have your business lined up. Are you likely to walk if you don't get what you want?

If you do walk, how likely are they to find another reservation for YOUR plot on YOUR development?

GDB2222

Have you paid a reservation fee, and is this refundable if you don’t go ahead? 

Racky_Roo

Sorry but you should have negotiated before reserving as they know you're def going to buy now. I think you'll find it tough to get anything for free as if you withdraw i'm assuming you'll lose your deposit. Also, you're buying off plan so again there's not really much incentive for the developers to throw anything in for free as they have plenty of time to re-sell.

It's a bit stingy not turfing the garden and no flooring IMO but do research before paying for carpet as a whole house can be done in a few hours and may be better quality and cheaper buying from a carpet place.

The only things I would pay for as it's a total pain to do retrospectively;
*Full tiling in bathroom so you can have a shower in the bath,
*Quartz/granite worktops (would be better to ask them not to put them in and get your own done asap as most of the time ripping the laminate ones causes wall damage)
* spotlights in ceiling

Things like heated towel radiators can be switched easily, laying turf is pretty simple and kitchen cupboards can be switched later. I often find even the upgraded kitchens still fairly bad quality. I also wouldn't pay for upgraded plug sockets or light switches. You can buy them on ebay for quarter of the price they will charge.

HappyHomeBuyer

GDB2222 said:

Have you paid a reservation fee, and is this refundable if you don’t go ahead? 

Have paid initial £500 fee - refundable minus reasonable costs. Haven’t completed or paid full deposit yet.

HappyHomeBuyer

AdrianC said:

You've already reserved, so they have your business lined up. Are you likely to walk if you don't get what you want?

If you do walk, how likely are they to find another reservation for YOUR plot on YOUR development?

Yes - the plots are in demand. They have had no issues finding buyers because of location and house types. Sorry, reading back my post I didn’t make myself clear enough. Was interested in things that we should be asking for as options (happy to pay) as well as anything they are likely to throw in for free.

HappyHomeBuyer

Racky_Roo said:

Sorry but you should have negotiated before reserving as they know you're def going to buy now. I think you'll find it tough to get anything for free as if you withdraw i'm assuming you'll lose your deposit. Also, you're buying off plan so again there's not really much incentive for the developers to throw anything in for free as they have plenty of time to re-sell.

It's a bit stingy not turfing the garden and no flooring IMO but do research before paying for carpet as a whole house can be done in a few hours and may be better quality and cheaper buying from a carpet place.

The only things I would pay for as it's a total pain to do retrospectively;
*Full tiling in bathroom so you can have a shower in the bath,
*Quartz/granite worktops (would be better to ask them not to put them in and get your own done asap as most of the time ripping the laminate ones causes wall damage)
* spotlights in ceiling

Things like heated towel radiators can be switched easily, laying turf is pretty simple and kitchen cupboards can be switched later. I often find even the upgraded kitchens still fairly bad quality. I also wouldn't pay for upgraded plug sockets or light switches. You can buy them on ebay for quarter of the price they will charge.

Yes - think that was partially our naivety and also because the plots are reserved so quickly we reserved online before discussing with the sales office as we knew the plot we wanted and didn’t want to lose out.

Thanks for the tips - we were going to put most of the money we have available for the options to the bathrooms. Considered spotlights but the builder seems to want £££ more than what our regular electrician would charge.

Thanks again!

AdrianC

You know better than we do as to what of the various options you want in your new home...

Remember that it will almost always be cheaper to do decor/landscaping yourselves, but things that are built-in (especially where there's first-fix wiring/plumbing involved, depending on how far construction's got) may be better done now.

HappyHomeBuyer

AdrianC said:

You know better than we do as to what of the various options you want in your new home...

Remember that it will almost always be cheaper to do decor/landscaping yourselves, but things that are built-in (especially where there's first-fix wiring/plumbing involved, depending on how far construction's got) may be better done now.

Thank you. 

Makes sense. The build has just begun so we have time to decide. Keen to draw on experience of others that have bought off plan and maybe regretted not getting something done by the builder.

HanPop

When we reserved with Bellway they ‘gave’ us £5000 to spend on the plot and we could either use this towards stamp duty or for upgrades/extras in the house, do Miller do this? 

HappyHomeBuyer

HanPop said:

When we reserved with Bellway they ‘gave’ us £5000 to spend on the plot and we could either use this towards stamp duty or for upgrades/extras in the house, do Miller do this? 

I will need to give them a call to find out if they offer anything like this - but as I haven’t heard I don’t think they do...