We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Issues buying new build
Options

stevoh
Posts: 207 Forumite


Hi All
I’ve found a new build in a perfect location. There’s not much on the market and I’m going through a very challenging period with family illnesses, so need somewhere easy and quick to move in to.
I’ve been speaking to the neighbours and they’ve had a tonne of issues with their properties, which were eventually resolved, but took time and a lot of hassle.
I’ve found a new build in a perfect location. There’s not much on the market and I’m going through a very challenging period with family illnesses, so need somewhere easy and quick to move in to.
I’ve been speaking to the neighbours and they’ve had a tonne of issues with their properties, which were eventually resolved, but took time and a lot of hassle.
A family friend, who doesn’t have any background in this area, thinks there may be issues with the brickwork. There’s a white deposit around the bricks on one of the walls, and he says (I haven’t been able to verify) that the mortal crumbles when pulled with a finger nail in the area where it’s white.
A builder friend who isn’t in the area ir able to see this, initially said the white deposit was likely to be just salt seeing from the bricks, but on hearing about the mortar crumbling said that it’s time to walk.
The site manager is saying there’s no issue with the brick work or mortar and that he doesn’t want to discuss this any more as he can see we don’t agree.
How can I get this house rubber stamped? It’s so frustrating to think that you can pay top whack for a brand new house in the UK from what is supposed to be a top quality developer, and it may be completely in re-sellable.
A builder friend who isn’t in the area ir able to see this, initially said the white deposit was likely to be just salt seeing from the bricks, but on hearing about the mortar crumbling said that it’s time to walk.
The site manager is saying there’s no issue with the brick work or mortar and that he doesn’t want to discuss this any more as he can see we don’t agree.
How can I get this house rubber stamped? It’s so frustrating to think that you can pay top whack for a brand new house in the UK from what is supposed to be a top quality developer, and it may be completely in re-sellable.
0
Comments
-
Another no expert here, but white deposits are not unusual at all and I’ve always been told that’s it’s salt from the brick work.The builder isn’t going to demolish and rebuild for you, so I’m not sure what you are seeking from them. Do other properties on the site show similar salt deposits? Have you knocked to ask if they’ve had any issues?New builds always have a settling in period, with cracks and things just breaking, (our boiler/tank leaked through to living room within 8 weeks of moving in to a 1 year old house), was just bad luck, if you are a nervous buyer then perhaps a new build isn’t for you.2
-
stevoh said:How can I get this house rubber stamped? It’s so frustrating to think that you can pay top whack for a brand new house in the UK from what is supposed to be a top quality developer, and it may be completely in re-sellable.
No connection, just a happy customer. The site manager represents his employer, not you. Don't believe a word.
Signature on holiday for two weeks1 -
UnderOffer said:Another no expert here, but white deposits are not unusual at all and I’ve always been told that’s it’s salt from the brick work.The builder isn’t going to demolish and rebuild for you, so I’m not sure what you are seeking from them. Do other properties on the site show similar salt deposits? Have you knocked to ask if they’ve had any issues?New builds always have a settling in period, with cracks and things just breaking, (our boiler/tank leaked through to living room within 8 weeks of moving in to a 1 year old house), was just bad luck, if you are a nervous buyer then perhaps a new build isn’t for you.
The part I’m concerned about is weak mortar as I understand that’s pretty much game over.0 -
White deposits as others have said are just salts. It's common with new brick work and nothing to worry about, will go away over time. The mortar issue is different and potentially more serious. You need to determine whether the lose material is just the salt residue, or if it is actually the mortar crumbling. Mortar these days is not usually mixed on site, it is delivered by mixer wagon to tubs and as such i usually a reliable product. What could cause crumbling is if the newly laid mortar has been subject to freezing temperatures before it fully set. The water within the mortar freezes and destroys setting process. If just completed now, your house will have been built in the winter months. Bricks shouldn't be laid in low temperatures, but production pressure and lack of quality control on site means it does happen. My advise is investigate this further using someone who knows what they are looking at.1
-
If in any doubt at all, get a surveyor to have a look.No reliance should be placed on the above! Absolutely none, do you hear?0
-
stuhse said:White deposits as others have said are just salts. It's common with new brick work and nothing to worry about, will go away over time. The mortar issue is different and potentially more serious. You need to determine whether the lose material is just the salt residue, or if it is actually the mortar crumbling. Mortar these days is not usually mixed on site, it is delivered by mixer wagon to tubs and as such i usually a reliable product. What could cause crumbling is if the newly laid mortar has been subject to freezing temperatures before it fully set. The water within the mortar freezes and destroys setting process. If just completed now, your house will have been built in the winter months. Bricks shouldn't be laid in low temperatures, but production pressure and lack of quality control on site means it does happen. My advise is investigate this further using someone who knows what they are looking at.
who would be able to verify this? Would a full structural survey give me this piece of mind? My builder friend said it depends on the surveyor. He’s strongly advising me not to buy a new build in general.0 -
stevoh said:Hi All
I’ve found a new build in a perfect location. There’s not much on the market and I’m going through a very challenging period with family illnesses, so need somewhere easy and quick to move in to.
I’ve been speaking to the neighbours and they’ve had a tonne of issues with their properties, which were eventually resolved, but took time and a lot of hassle.A family friend, who doesn’t have any background in this area, thinks there may be issues with the brickwork. There’s a white deposit around the bricks on one of the walls, and he says (I haven’t been able to verify) that the mortal crumbles when pulled with a finger nail in the area where it’s white.
A builder friend who isn’t in the area ir able to see this, initially said the white deposit was likely to be just salt seeing from the bricks, but on hearing about the mortar crumbling said that it’s time to walk.
The site manager is saying there’s no issue with the brick work or mortar and that he doesn’t want to discuss this any more as he can see we don’t agree.
How can I get this house rubber stamped? It’s so frustrating to think that you can pay top whack for a brand new house in the UK from what is supposed to be a top quality developer, and it may be completely in re-sellable.
If the only reason you are interested in this property is because you think it will be easy and quick, you should probably be aware that it doesn't always follow that logic. (An independent) Solicitor will often find lots of issues to enquire about, which makes the process just as long and drawn out as most other transactions.
Please buy a house because you love it, not because you think it will be easy, quick and hassle free. If this is that house, then get a full structural survey and choose an independent solicitor, not one recommended by the developer.3 -
Go up to one of the walls and stick your finger into the mortar to find out if it's hard or not?
The weak mortar thing is indeed a horror story come true but I don't think it affects that many new builds. As someone else pointed out, the mortar is pre-mixed elsewhere and then delivered onsite for consistency.
The white deposits are efflorescence (salt) and nothing to be concerned about.0 -
Postik said:Go up to one of the walls and stick your finger into the mortar to find out if it's hard or not?
The weak mortar thing is indeed a horror story come true but I don't think it affects that many new builds. As someone else pointed out, the mortar is pre-mixed elsewhere and then delivered onsite for consistency.
The white deposits are efflorescence (salt) and nothing to be concerned about.0 -
Also with new builds, do check if there’s an estate charge or other service charge, and whether it’s capped. That can affect the resale value. Is it leasehold or freehold?1
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.5K Spending & Discounts
- 243.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards