Issues buying new build

GixerKate

stevoh said:

So I got the written survey back yesterday. It was damning of the entire development, stating, in writing that the house was not fit for purchase and is likely to develop severe issues in the next couple of years.

Just let that sink in. A brand new house, from a supposedly luxury house builder, that has been declared not fit for purchase by a chartered surveyor. 

I took it to show the lady who owns the other side (it’s a semi) last night, and she was very grateful.

She showed me the photos of her place when she moved in. I’ve honestly never seen anything like it in my life. Their new carpet was literally covered in rubble, there were piles of cigarette butts all over the place, holes everywhere. A huge hole down the side of the front door.  Gaps in the skirting board that they’d just thrown filler at. Honestly, it looked like a derelict building that squatters had just been evicted from.

She told me about her experiences in dealing with the company as a single mother, with the site manager belittling and mocking her. I was absolutely disgusted. Her neighbour had had the same experience.

Now I know I’ve dodged a bullet. I’ve lost time and a few hundred quid on a survey, but these folk have had their lives ruined.

How can this be allowed to happen?!!! 

That sounds awful!! Its because of sites like this that give new builds in general such a bad reputation.  You definitely dodged a bullet there and I really feel for the owners who are already there.

When I was looking for place I saw quite a few older houses and also looked at two new build estates.  We went for a new build which I assume was technically off-plan as the roof wasn't on but we knew what we were going to get as there was a house further down the road which was already complete that was the same spec.  We have now been here for 2 and a half years and don't regret it at all, the house is great.  The other estate we walked into several of the completed homes and walked out within minutes as the finish was so so bad.