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February 3, 2020
3 minute read
Fewer than two-thirds of new homes (64%) were completed on time, an independent study has found.
In their annual report, the New Homes Review (NHR) recognised that building new homes is a complex process. But said “It remains a point of frustration for both customers and developers that the rate of late completions remains stubbornly high (the number was 63% in 2018).”
Here at the HomeOwners Alliance we couldn’t agree more.
Having the new build completion date moved is far more than a frustration, but can cost homeowners thousands of pounds in unexpected rental and storage costs, as well as the administrative nightmare of having to rearrange mortgages.
We hope this report encourages developers to be more realistic about their timelines, and communicate this to customers. Homebuyers should not be out of pocket when faced with delays caused by the developer.
Unfortunately you’re at the whim of developers. But there are a few things to consider that could mitigate the impacts of a delay:
The NHR also found snagging continues to be a recurring issue. In 2019, 89% of those surveyed said that they had experienced snags or defects, a slight improvement on 2018 (91%) and 2017 – but still a significant problem for everyone buying a new build.
And getting the defects in your home fixed and quickly also continues to pose problems.
People dissatisfied with customer service once they have moved in remains high (45%), which is a fall from 2018’s numbers (49%).
If you’re buying a new build you can find a snagging surveyor here to get an independent expert snagging inspection survey which will help to ensure any defects are corrected and quickly.
The New Homes Review also reported that just two-thirds of new-home buyers believe they get value for money from their purchase.
Although customers reported small improvements across a range of measures, including the condition of the home when they moved in and the quality of build and the standard of finish, the number of customers claiming their new home represented value-for-money fell from 69% in 2018 to 67% in 2019.
March 25, 2025 
