New build house off plan - changes in spec

eddddy

njlj1992 said:

Thanks all, we haven’t yet exchanged contracts, they were originally advising this needs to happen by end of April but seems there has been delays and this is no longer required (which kind of helps, as my flat sale is taking some time!) 

We’re not really willing to walk away from the sale on this basis, but we are quite disappointed that the goal posts have shifted again. We were originally told by the sales rep all flooring would be included (on the phone) only to be told casually on a later call that this wasn’t the case - so we’re expecting to fork out an additional circa £5k that we hadn’t provisioned for. We argued this and were offered some (but not all) cashback on completion to contribute towards it. 

To then again be casually told that bifolds are “only a feature of the larger properties” feels like a bit of a kick in the teeth, as the house price isn’t exactly cheap and this simply doesn’t reflect what’s in the brochure or the planning permission drawings that we’d already studied and were told to review during our time within the sales office!

We have our hearts set on this house but think we are hyper sensitive to changes as we haven’t yet physically seen it (so wondering if anything else is going to change) and have had a few problems crop up now that is putting a dampener on the whole process for us.  

You need to read the contract, to see what changes it allows the developer to make.

TBH, I suspect the contract will allow the developer to make any changes they choose - but if the changes are major, you can decide whether to accept them or walk away.

I guess the bottom line is: if you don't like the contract terms, you shouldn't proceed.

njlj1992 said:

(which kind of helps, as my flat sale is taking some time!) 

Typically with new builds, you have to agree to "completion on notice". i.e. When the house is ready, the developer will contact you to say "You've got to complete in 10 days".

If that's the case, does your buyer realise that they'll have to "complete on notice" as well? i.e. when the developer gives you 10 days notice, you'll give your buyer the same 10 days notice.

njlj1992

Update - they’ve advised that they will fit bifolds on this occasion due to the error in the drawings. Quite impressed with how quick they’ve come back on and confirmed for us!

Section62

njlj1992 said:

Update - they’ve advised that they will fit bifolds on this occasion due to the error in the drawings. Quite impressed with how quick they’ve come back on and confirmed for us!

Did you get that in writing?

njlj1992

I have yes! They emailed earlier today to confirm 

Hoenir

njlj1992 said:

Update - they’ve advised that they will fit bifolds on this occasion due to the error in the drawings. Quite impressed with how quick they’ve come back on and confirmed for us!

More than happy to seal a sale ! Small price to pay when there's thousands of pounds of cash tied up.