Buying a new build - negotiating what is included

snowqueen555

Hi

I am buying a new build flat, they have said over the phone that fridge and washing machine is not included. The brochure says all flats will have these included in the specification chart so I think I will go back and ask them to include these.

They have also said carpet/underlay is not included over the phone. They sent me two brochures. One brochure says it is included, and the other brochure says it isn't, seems at some point they removed it. They are not identical brochures as each brochure shows floor plans for a different part of the building/complex

The brochure with my floorplan shows no carpet, but the brochure showing other flats in the same building say carpets included.

Screenshot below of both brochures, look at "internal finishes". 

https://imgur.com/a/rDCBbWN

Would I be able to wiggle these into my purchase, I am using the new government "first homes scheme" so it seems like they are doing everything they can to cut costs and get the job done to meet their deadline. I also think if I cause too much hassle they can just go with someone else, they seem to have a lot of leverage here despite reserving it.

Thanks

sammyjammy

Its all about negotiation and how good you and they are at that skill.  If you don't get what you want will you walk away?  Factor that into what you say to them, no point making threats you won't carry out.

snowqueen555

sammyjammy said:

Its all about negotiation and how good you and they are at that skill.  If you don't get what you want will you walk away?  Factor that into what you say to them, no point making threats you won't carry out.

Sugar, problem is that I have no leverage and we're right at the start of the process. Looks like I'll have to suck it up and pay, but doesn't seem right to me they can promise it in the brochure but then change their mind.

ironlady2022

All you can do is ask. 

Rachelredwood16

I'd say with the fridge and freezer you should definitely get these included if it shows as included in the new brochure, it's in print if they've now done away with that they should reprint.

With the flooring if the new brochure shows it as not included then you would have to negotiate on that as they clearly don't offer that now and just because it was in the old one it doesn't mean they have to honour it if they've released a new one. All you can do is raise this and ask. If they say no and you're happy to continue and pay then carry on. Also note that the flooring they previously included probably would have been bottom of the barrell and not good quality, so you may have got cheap carpets you'd need to replace in a couple of years which would be more hassle later down the line.

SarahB16

snowqueen555 said:

https://imgur.com/a/rDCBbWN

Looking at the link that you have posted I hope you don't mind if I ask a question relevant to this thread.  I can see an integrated dishwasher has been included and I wondered if anybody had asked a developer if this could be replaced with a freezer instead?  

I would have no use of a dishwasher but would make use of having extra freezer space and I wondered if a developer would agree to this.  I know the replies I may get may say 'no harm in asking' but I actually wondered if anybody had requested this or whether this is something that I would be likely to have (i.e. two freezers).  

Thank you    

snowqueen555

Rachelredwood16 said:

I'd say with the fridge and freezer you should definitely get these included if it shows as included in the new brochure, it's in print if they've now done away with that they should reprint.

With the flooring if the new brochure shows it as not included then you would have to negotiate on that as they clearly don't offer that now and just because it was in the old one it doesn't mean they have to honour it if they've released a new one. All you can do is raise this and ask. If they say no and you're happy to continue and pay then carry on. Also note that the flooring they previously included probably would have been bottom of the barrell and not good quality, so you may have got cheap carpets you'd need to replace in a couple of years which would be more hassle later down the line.

No cigar, they said that the washing machine and fridge applicable to some flats only.

Not only that after I viewed the place they said the integrated cupboard which houses the fridge freezer and storage next to it is being taken out because it is wrong, and I will instead have a free standing fridge. I am not happy about that because it is a kitchen/lounge so the cabinets are important in making the room look better. I'm wondering if they are just trying to save money again by taking the cabinets back out.

snowqueen555

SarahB16 said:

snowqueen555 said:

https://imgur.com/a/rDCBbWN

Looking at the link that you have posted I hope you don't mind if I ask a question relevant to this thread.  I can see an integrated dishwasher has been included and I wondered if anybody had asked a developer if this could be replaced with a freezer instead?  

I would have no use of a dishwasher but would make use of having extra freezer space and I wondered if a developer would agree to this.  I know the replies I may get may say 'no harm in asking' but I actually wondered if anybody had requested this or whether this is something that I would be likely to have (i.e. two freezers).  

Thank you    

I'd say depends on how much leverage you have but sounds like they wouldn't do it to me. I have zero amount and they seem to keep taking things away from what I will get.

diystarter7

Ask, direct to your evidence and if they agree get it in writing and if they disagree, consider pulling out

Btw - please be fully aware that flooring/carpet/etc -  demand to know what type of underlay/carpet etc as carpets can be as cheap as 4 quid a metre and underlays 50p a meter and you don't want that.

SarahB16

snowqueen555 said:

SarahB16 said:

snowqueen555 said:

https://imgur.com/a/rDCBbWN

Looking at the link that you have posted I hope you don't mind if I ask a question relevant to this thread.  I can see an integrated dishwasher has been included and I wondered if anybody had asked a developer if this could be replaced with a freezer instead?  

I would have no use of a dishwasher but would make use of having extra freezer space and I wondered if a developer would agree to this.  I know the replies I may get may say 'no harm in asking' but I actually wondered if anybody had requested this or whether this is something that I would be likely to have (i.e. two freezers).  

Thank you    

I'd say depends on how much leverage you have but sounds like they wouldn't do it to me. I have zero amount and they seem to keep taking things away from what I will get.

Thank you for your reply.  

If I had no leverage I'd simply ask them not to install the dishwasher and hopefully I could just buy my own freezer which would fit in there.  Should be OK as I'd only need a plug, i.e. I wouldn't need the plumbing for a dishwasher.  

snowqueen555

When is the best time to try and blag some freebies?

They have thrown in a fridge at some point for no reason. I can only think it was because I was unhappy about it not being included and went silent for a week.

This makes me think I can push for more.

I'm hoping to blag a washing machine or the carpet, but don't fancy my chances. Could I bluff them near the end of the process or is that playing with fire?