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Author Topic: Who to buy a new home from??  (Read 32046 times)

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jammydodger0905

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Who to buy a new home from??
« on: May 25, 2013, 09:08:50 am »
Philofacts

If you were to go with a particular housebuilder, which one would it be??  ;)

Thanks


Philofacts

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Re: Who to buy from??
« Reply #1 on: May 25, 2013, 10:47:16 am »
That's the $64million question!
If I said one particular house builder and you bought a badly-built house from them, where would my reputation be?

Perhaps it would be better to ask who not to buy a new home from?
-I have read some real horror stories about Persimmon, Taylor Wimpey and Bellway Homes!

Each development will have varying quality and after care standards; even if it is the same builder and even from the same builder’s regional office. 
The reasons are complex and many, but in the main, what you get depends on the experience and dedication of the site manager and his team that actually build your new house.
Buying a new home - What to look for      Why UK new homes have so many defects      The site manager building your new home

There is no doubt in my mind that the overall standard of UK new homes has gone down drastically in terms of design and quality of build over the last 10 years.

Then there is the question of after sales customer service. This forum and forum.snagging.org are a good place to assess which builders it may be best to avoid

When deciding look to see if the site manager is an NHBC Quality Award winner.  This is always a good sign.
It would be wise not to buy from any builders that do not offer NHBC warranty as there may be a good reason why NHBC warranty is not being offered!

Finally avoid any house builder that does not achieve a 5 star rating in the HBF star rating scheme.
In 2013, those not getting 5 stars are Persimmon, Crest and Linden homes.

Some may disagree, but Miller Homes appear to build a better quality new home than the mainstream in my opinion. 

Please take some time to research all the information available on the brand-newhomes website.
I have given a few links above, which I trust will help with your choice.
Make a Donation - If you found the information and advice helpful.
The premier information website for the UK new home buyer.


The Brickkicker

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Re: Who to buy a new home from??
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2013, 01:55:46 pm »
This is the most often asked question I get when I answer the phone to clients.

Who are the good and bad builders ....well the answer is simple!
There is no such thing as good and bad builders anymore ...there are only brands out there
because builders have got so big ....their reputations become less important ...its all about volume now.

So the keepers of quality are often the hard pressed site managers constructing a property using the cheapest materials and labour usually.

There are some great site managers out there , and contractors ...that really care.

If pressed .......Berkeley homes would be the BRAND ...that I would say have been consistently the best in my 10 years inspecting new homes around the country  ...not only for the initial out of the box quality ...but also their commitment to after care service too.

The internet is a great tool ...you will struggle to find a bad word said about them on it.
Brickkickers New Home Inspections
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Philofacts

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Re: Who to buy a new home from??
« Reply #3 on: October 24, 2013, 02:18:20 pm »
You didn't search hard enough!
New Build Nightmare
Berkeley Collective
Although I would agree, Berkeley are highly regarded even though they don't appeare to win many NHBC quality awards.

No house builder is safe anymore, their sins will be published to the world forever.
Yet still house builders generally let their buyers down and treat them with indifference.

With the number of inspections you must have carried out over the years, you are in a good position to tell the forum the worst house builders by giving a breakdown of the average number of snags per inspection for each house builder, perhaps a Snagging Inspector's "league table".
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