New Build - flooring included?

jhayward7

I think I've dropped a clanger. We have put down a non-refundable deposit on a new build property, there was only one property we could afford and the development was in very high demand, so we had to be as quick as possible. Therefore, all we had to go on were example pictures on the provided marketing leaflet (our plot had not been completed at that point), which showed all rooms with wooden flooring down. 

Since then we had an open day to their show home (which was actually a bungalow), again wooden flooring throughout. I didn't think to ask "is flooring included?", as I never thought it wouldn't be and also, like I said, everything we were shown of the development to this point included flooring. 

Yesterday I emailed the estate agent dealing with the development to ask if we could have some input into the type of flooring going down, to which she replied "flooring isn't included upstairs in your sale, only downstairs"... 

Do I just have to accept that I've been naive here, or do I have a case to argue - as like I said, we were shown example pictures on the leaflet of our Plot that had flooring in every room and also shown a 'show home' with flooring completed? 

Thanks 

bramptonbrew

Usually any 'incentives' should be agreed when you reserve - it'll be written into the reservation paperwork. The leaflet probably has some very tiny small print that the photos are "for illustration purposes only". Also, they always fit out with show homes with the premium version of everything - that way they can show you how brilliant the house could be, if you opt to pay for upgrades.

That being said - it's always worth asking to see if you can get flooring included upstairs, even if you have to pay a contribution towards it. If you don't ask, you don't get.

saajan_12

jhayward7 said:

I think I've dropped a clanger. We have put down a non-refundable deposit on a new build property, there was only one property we could afford and the development was in very high demand, so we had to be as quick as possible. Therefore, all we had to go on were example pictures on the provided marketing leaflet (our plot had not been completed at that point), which showed all rooms with wooden flooring down. 

Since then we had an open day to their show home (which was actually a bungalow), again wooden flooring throughout. I didn't think to ask "is flooring included?", as I never thought it wouldn't be and also, like I said, everything we were shown of the development to this point included flooring. 

Yesterday I emailed the estate agent dealing with the development to ask if we could have some input into the type of flooring going down, to which she replied "flooring isn't included upstairs in your sale, only downstairs"... 

Do I just have to accept that I've been naive here, or do I have a case to argue - as like I said, we were shown example pictures on the leaflet of our Plot that had flooring in every room and also shown a 'show home' with flooring completed? 

Thanks 

I wouldn't rely on the photos or open day for what's included - they'll often include lots of things like furnishings, cushions etc to "help you visualise how it could look" and are clearly not expected to be included. 

So we go to the actual reservation agreement - what was written there? 

[Deleted User]

bramptonbrew said:

Usually any 'incentives' should be agreed when you reserve - it'll be written into the reservation paperwork. The leaflet probably has some very tiny small print that the photos are "for illustration purposes only". Also, they always fit out with show homes with the premium version of everything - that way they can show you how brilliant the house could be, if you opt to pay for upgrades.

That being said - it's always worth asking to see if you can get flooring included upstairs, even if you have to pay a contribution towards it. If you don't ask, you don't get.

Is it worth paying the inflated prices they charge for flooring? Fitting it afterwards means it probably won't go under the skirting boards, but then again this is a British new build so even if you pay them will they just do the cheapest, quickest job possible?

GixerKate

Have a look at your reservation form.  We had carpets included throughout the house and its listed this on the form, if nothing is listed then my assumption is that nothing is included.  

Have you also thought about the finish in the bathroom(s) and kitchen, any appliances etc included?

bramptonbrew

[Deleted User] said:

bramptonbrew said:

Usually any 'incentives' should be agreed when you reserve - it'll be written into the reservation paperwork. The leaflet probably has some very tiny small print that the photos are "for illustration purposes only". Also, they always fit out with show homes with the premium version of everything - that way they can show you how brilliant the house could be, if you opt to pay for upgrades.

That being said - it's always worth asking to see if you can get flooring included upstairs, even if you have to pay a contribution towards it. If you don't ask, you don't get.

Is it worth paying the inflated prices they charge for flooring? Fitting it afterwards means it probably won't go under the skirting boards, but then again this is a British new build so even if you pay them will they just do the cheapest, quickest job possible?

We were lucky that the upgraded flooring was given to us an incentive when reserving; I don't know how much they would have charged us otherwise. The only additional extra we purchased were fitted wardrobes - something we could have easily done after moving in, possibly cheaper, but we wanted everything in situ on move day. For us, the extra cost was worth less hassle.

jhayward7

saajan_12 said:

jhayward7 said:

I think I've dropped a clanger. We have put down a non-refundable deposit on a new build property, there was only one property we could afford and the development was in very high demand, so we had to be as quick as possible. Therefore, all we had to go on were example pictures on the provided marketing leaflet (our plot had not been completed at that point), which showed all rooms with wooden flooring down. 

Since then we had an open day to their show home (which was actually a bungalow), again wooden flooring throughout. I didn't think to ask "is flooring included?", as I never thought it wouldn't be and also, like I said, everything we were shown of the development to this point included flooring. 

Yesterday I emailed the estate agent dealing with the development to ask if we could have some input into the type of flooring going down, to which she replied "flooring isn't included upstairs in your sale, only downstairs"... 

Do I just have to accept that I've been naive here, or do I have a case to argue - as like I said, we were shown example pictures on the leaflet of our Plot that had flooring in every room and also shown a 'show home' with flooring completed? 

Thanks 

I wouldn't rely on the photos or open day for what's included - they'll often include lots of things like furnishings, cushions etc to "help you visualise how it could look" and are clearly not expected to be included. 

So we go to the actual reservation agreement - what was written there? 

Having just re-read the reservation agreement, there is no mention of fittings or flooring etc