Opinions on purchasing a new build

Soot2006

I use the same screw fitting in my very old build where chunks of plaster would likely fall on my head ... Also pleased to report solid curtain rails ... Not the point of the thread, I realise, but for anyone living in a house and wanting to fix things to walls, it's worth knowing about these fittings!  Got mine off Amazon.

Natrc

Weathergirl_76 said:

I have always steered clear of new build properties, only due to hearing horror stories with the build element, issues with guarantees and workmanship, and smaller rooms.  I am now considering broadening my options when I move, as there seems to be a few for sale, that are 3-5 years old which offer everything and don’t need any updating. Is it true that you can’t  hang pictures up as nails go straight through the wall? How easy is it, if a problem arises to fall back into the guarantee and get the issue resolved? Thanks in advance for your comments. 

Every new build will be different, there are lots of smaller developers out there who build excellent quality new homes, and some terrible companies who really do build shacks and rip people off. It will depend on your budget and where you are looking. 

We rent a new build at the moment. It was built by Kier homes and we have had so many issues, and Kier have been very reluctant to fix a lot of them sadly. The home looks lovely from the outside, but the inside is completed to a cheap and poor standard. Our bathroom is wonky and faulty, our kitchen cabinets are falling off the walls, we had issues with both plumbing and electric (we had a flooded kitchen due to an incorrectly fitted tap and they didnt even care). We also found that this home is poorly designed in terms of space, with small rooms. The fixtures, fittings etc. are also cheap, with door handles scuffed and floors already fraying in the corners. BUT this is one development, everywhere will be different. My friend recently bought a new build from another developer and loves it, very large, finished well etc. 

I would advise going and having a look at the show homes, that will help you decide. Dont totally write off new builds until you have seen one in the development you are thinking of. 

gagahouse

Natrc said:

Weathergirl_76 said:

I have always steered clear of new build properties, only due to hearing horror stories with the build element, issues with guarantees and workmanship, and smaller rooms.  I am now considering broadening my options when I move, as there seems to be a few for sale, that are 3-5 years old which offer everything and don’t need any updating. Is it true that you can’t  hang pictures up as nails go straight through the wall? How easy is it, if a problem arises to fall back into the guarantee and get the issue resolved? Thanks in advance for your comments. 

I would advise going and having a look at the show homes, that will help you decide. Dont totally write off new builds until you have seen one in the development you are thinking of. 

I would add to also insist as I did to view a completed home of the type you are buying and not just the show home. This is what convinced me to buy mine so that I was somewhat sure of what the finished article would look like in terms of quality of finish.