Xann Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 No! Don't do it! New build housing is utter shite, even at the higher end. I made good money in construction, but couldn't stomach it for too long. Rife with dodgy business practice and the quality of the build, even at the luxury end, is appalling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonno_2004 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 Currently looking to buy my first house and have the same dilemma - nice to read up on some of the comments here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp65 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 It's a mystery to me why factory built modules aren't more popular. After the war tens of thousands of prefabs were thrown up all over the country. These were mostly loved by the people that got them, to the point where people in 2014 try to resist being re housed out of them. If we build a macdonalds or a KFC it's built in the factory and delivered on the back of a lorry. Once the site has been prepared, founds down and services in, you phone up and order one and it's delivered, installed plumbed and working on the same day. The last one of these I was involved in the building arrived on site in the morning with posters already in the windows, kitchen equipment tables n chairs mostly already fitted. By 7:00pm the staff were in and being trained up for the first live shift the following morning. There's no reason houses can't be constructed off site and plugged in once somebody has selected the spec they want. Other than the public don't want them, they'd rather moan about the poor build quality of something put together outdoors in the mud through the winter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xela Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 I live in a new build. 14 months I have been in and no issues whatsoever so far. I don't hear my neighbours (maybe I'm very lucky) and couldn't be happier. I chose it as I prefer the layout of new apartments as a lot of them have en-suite bathrooms, which I wanted. Its amazingly energy efficient. I'm pretty sure if I wore jumpers in the winter i wouldn't need to put my heating on ever! I only have it on in the winter as I generally wear shorts and t-shirt indoors. I have spent no more than £400 in 14 months on gas and electric. At my old flat it was £100 per month on energy bills. Don't get me wrong, given the choice I would prefer to live in a rustic country cottage or a converted windmill in the middle of nowhere but at this time in my life, it is perfect for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob182 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 My main gripe with new builds is the thin walls. Maybe it's different in apartments, as opposed to houses, but are your walls between your rooms thin Xela? I was at a mates new build house and remember thinking the walls just seemed like mdf or a bit of plywood. As well as hearing anything in the next room, I remember thinking that it must be a pain if you ever fancied putting up a shelf/TV or anything with a bit of weight. I have a house and though it needed a fair bit of work on it at first, it cost me half of what a new build (with smaller rooms) would have cost. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 It's a mystery to me why factory built modules aren't more popular. After the war tens of thousands of prefabs were thrown up all over the country. These were mostly loved by the people that got them, to the point where people in 2014 try to resist being re housed out of them. I think the problem with Non Standard Construction houses is getting a mortgage on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villarule123 Posted October 20, 2014 Author VT Supporter Share Posted October 20, 2014 Every plot was sold 1 hour into the open day :@ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisp65 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Every plot was sold 1 hour into the open day :@ that can undermine the tactic of trying to negotiate the price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eames Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Dahn Sahf, we have had about 50,000 new homes chucked up in the last 10 years in my town. You couldn't pay me to live in any of them. At least 20% over priced as new, they quickly degenerate into the new sink estates they were trying to replace. Add the issued of shoddy construction, over density, poor access and parking etc etc. Avoid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa_shere Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 When we were looking for a house a new build was being thrown up in Dorridge. I went to the open day to have a look and there was queues down the road. Went back in the evening and most plots were sold. When I asked for the prices off the house I could not believe it. 4 bedroom houses for over £500k! A house with one reception room and a kitchen/diner and minimal parking for over £500k?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hogso Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Its amazingly energy efficient. I'm pretty sure if I wore jumpers in the winter i wouldn't need to put my heating on ever! I only have it on in the winter as I generally wear shorts and t-shirt indoors. I have spent no more than £400 in 14 months on gas and electric. At my old flat it was £100 per month on energy bills. Same with me, I'm fine with putting a jumper if it's a little chilly, only actually put heating on when moaning moaners who are 'sensitive to the cold' waa waaaa come round. I pay £25 p/m for Gas & Elec, and that's still probably more than I'm actually using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 4 bedroom houses for over £500k What's more bonkers, the price, or that people are prepared to pay it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omariqy Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 Looked at new builds for the firstbuy scheme about a year ago. After talking to a lawyer friend I decided against it. Glad I did. Not only do the problems stated on this topic exist but for flats you have the added headache of ground rent and service charge. Also, as they typically are leasehold agreements, this adds another layer of annoyance to the whole thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomaspg Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 im an architect, though i currently work in sweden towards the offshore sector i spent two years in london working on a variety of projects. I wouldn't touch one of those developments with a pitch fork, the only purpose they have when building like this is to squeeze out as much money as possible. Sure you can get lucky and get one that is properly made but in general the quality of materials is very poor and they want to get it up as quickly as possible so the workmanship isnt going to be great either. If you have the time look at building your own, there will be alot more work but the end product and value will be higher. But if you look at prefab houses or building using SIPS panels you can make things relatively easy for your self Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xann Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 ... the only purpose they have when building like this is to squeeze out as much money as possible... Absolutely this. It's revolting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 That reminds of something a friend of mine told me once. He had a new build house (about 10 years old) and he was looking at getting a single story extension out the back as a games room. An architect came out to do some plans and he had the original drawings for the house when built. He kept looking at the house and then at the drawing, back to the house then the drawing. He spotted that in my friends house, and all the others, the was 1 course of bricks missing between the lower and upper windows. I guess on a big estate this might build another house with the saved bricks. Tight b@stards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NulliSecundus Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) We bought a new build house last year on a brownfield site in the centre of town so it isn't a new estate per se, as it is on an existing road (main road!). We've not had any major problems but I can summarise pros and cons as follows: Pros: - We got a very good deal on extras - stamp duty paid, carpets and tiles throughout, cooker, hob, fridge/freezer (all integrated) and an integrated dishwasher, as well as turfed garden (which isn't too bad considering it was a bit of a chuck it down effort). - As people have said - BILLS. Our gas bill is negligible, so much so Scottish Power have asked to come out and read the meter in addition to us giving the reading as it was so low! Our electricity consumption is higher, although we do keep tortoises so that explains that! - It's a blank canvas - decorate how you want with minimal fuss. - No chain - no waiting around for sales etc. - Warranties on all of your appliances and a 10 year build quality guarantee. Cons: - Niggles - there were a few - you just have to be a pest with your builder. Most offer a two year period for them to be ironed out. For example, our bathroom locks are falling apart and the postbox brushes have failed - both are being replaced next week. - Cracks - the way they build new homes means they dry out and some of the plaster can crack. Recommend not fixing until at least 18 months down the line when the building has dried completely. In the summer you could hear the building crack (settling!) Completely normal but might put you off. - Off plan (house is not yet built) can lead to delays. We fortunately didn't have this problem as our house was almost built! Garden - we have been doing the garden and the ground is awful - there are still bits of rubble and metal from where the existing structure used to be! Other points - Walls - not thin by any means but you can hear the neighbours if they are being particularly loud (having a barney - which isn't often, luckily!) Also the way they are built means they are hollow. Specialist fixings allow you to put heavy things on these walls though - thoroughly recommend them - we have some huge cupboards up in our lounge held together by tough fixings! I personally recommend it as it is easy and you have the comfort of being able to jump up and down for people to fix things when you first move in and then for a small period afterwards. We only could afford a terrace this time around but I certainly wouldn't hesitate to buy a bigger new build when we can afford it. Just make sure you see a few different sites with different builders! And be cheeky when asking for extras! Good luck! Edited October 21, 2014 by NulliSecundus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genie Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 How's the rest of the estate? Do you have proper 2 lane roads, footpaths, front gardens, gassed area's, privacy in the back garden? These are the things that put me off the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NulliSecundus Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Well it's literally a one road estate (one one side of a main road where there used to be a car sales business). It is a two lane road (has to be - it's a B road) - footpath is also there on both sides. Our back garden is great, nice and private as the nearest houses are on the other side of a canal and quite a bit lower down (as we are higher up than the other side). Not massive but big enough to have patio, shed etc. Certainly bigger than enough for two people who are busy/working and don't want a massive garden to maintain! No front garden though, there is a little purple slated area immediately in front of the house (with path), wrought iron fence and then the pavement. As I said, we are in the town so it isn't a new area - the new houses were built on one side of the road, houses on the other side have probably been there 40/50 years minimum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevo985 Posted October 21, 2014 VT Supporter Share Posted October 21, 2014 Surely it all depends on the quality of the build? I mean, not ALL new build houses are shit, surely? They have to build new houses somewhere. They can't all be crap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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