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Making the right decision when buying a house can make the difference between having a home you love and a home that turns out to be a nightmare. Here's how to find the best new build developers in the UK.
Which one’s best; Barratts or Bovis? Taylor Wimpey or Redrow? Not all new build developers are the same; they vary in price, quality of workmanship, level of design, and after sales service. Here’s what to consider when looking for the best new build developers in the UK.
Paula Higgins, CEO of HomeOwners Alliance, said:
“Most customers today are suspicious of 5 star reviews across the board. We’d like to see house builders signed up to an independent review site to collect customer satisfaction data instead. See real customer complaints verbatim, the common issues that arise and how complaints are handled by each developer would help build credibility and trust in the sector. ”
A snagging survey is there to spot problems with your new build home. We can connect you with an independent on-site snagging inspector today.
Builders also get site managers awards, which are often seen as the best test of how well their building sites are run.
The best known are the NHBC Pride in the Job awards which claim to recognise site managers that achieve the highest standards in house building. Site managers are automatically entered into the competition if they are working on a site registered for NHBC warranty, which is likely to be the majority of sites in the UK.
All house builders have slickly produced marketing material, from brochures to videos, aimed at selling their homes. They will provide some useful information, but it is almost impossible to get a complete view of the quality of the end product. So don’t let the marketing material alone sway your opinion when you’re looking for the best new build developers.
If the development you are considering has been partially completed, knock on the doors of your potential neighbours and ask how they feel about the quality of their home, how the builders treated them and how they found the process of buying. You might pick up some top tips for negotiating and things to watch for in your contract.
If you are buying off-plan or buying in the early phase of a new development, it is just as important to visit other sites that the home builder has under construction and quiz the neighbours. It may feel awkward but is likely to be the most informative part of choosing the right new build developer and finding the best quality new build home. For more tips, read Buying a new build home: essential guide and buying off-plan.
When you move on, the resale value of your new build home can make the difference between losing money on your home and making money. The best quality new build homes tend to resell at better prices than poorly built ones. So look at sold house prices when new and on resale on the developer’s other sites. However, do be aware that it’s fairly usual for new build house prices to dip in value in the first couple of years.
Check any ongoing costs you’ll have to pay to maintain communal areas. Ask the new build developer how each of the communal spaces (hallways, gardens and parks) are owned and managed. You will then want your conveyancing solicitor to investigate these points further. Read more in our guide New build estate management fees explained.
See what your conveyancing solicitor should be looking out for when you buy a new build
Check which new build warranty the developer offers. A building or structural warranty is essentially an insurance policy for newly built homes. It’s almost impossible to sell a new build home in the UK without one as all mortgage lenders require a 10 year structural warranty.
While it’s taken out by the developer, it’s there to protect the buyer (and your mortgage lender). The type of warranty typically covers you for defects that arise due to faults in the design, workmanship or materials that remain undiscovered at the time of practical completion on your new build.
NHBC is the most common in the UK but there are others. Read our guide New Build Warranties – What they do and don’t cover.
When you’re weighing up the best new build developers, you’ll want to factor in how good a deal they’ll offer. While negotiating down the price is key, next see if you can get any other incentives like getting your stamp duty paid. Find out more on this in our guide Can you make an offer on a new build house?
Also, some developers are trying to make buying a new home more affordable via the Deposit Unlock and the Own New Rate Reducer schemes. These can all help cut the cost of buying a new build home, but it is obviously more important to ensure you have a home you are happy to live in.
The top 10 house builders in the UK for build quality are Berkeley Group, The Hill Group, FABRICA, Countryside, Davidsons Homes, Northstone, Barratt Homes, Lovell Homes, Higgins Homes PLC and Southern Housing, according to HomeViews.
When you’re doing your research to find the best new home builders you’ll also likely come across people claiming their house was built by the worst housebuilders in the UK. Look into the detail of what people’s complaints are and look for any patterns in complaints about the housebuilder.
HomeOwners Alliance Ltd is registered in England, company number 07861605. Information provided on HomeOwners Alliance is not intended as a recommendation or financial advice.
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