There are many reasons why more and more people are tempted to buy new-build homes these days – from the reduced likelihood of things breaking to being able to move in to a newly-decorated home without having to do any DIY yourself.
And with government figures revealing new-build properties are increasing, as the number of completed homes rose by 31 per cent over the year to mid-2018, there could be even more homebuyers interested in purchasing a brand new property.
However, before you sign up to anything, here are some things to look out to ensure your new-build in Hull purchase goes smoothly.
- Does the builder have a good reputation?
The standard of the property all depends on how good the builder is, so it is essential to find out about its reputation.
To do this, take a look at the House Builders Federation website to see what star rating they have been given. This is worked out according to customer satisfaction, so you can be sure those that receive all five stars have been recommended by previous purchasers.
- Check the warranty
Builders should be part of a warranty that ensures the house will be built to a good standard and will protect you against any expenses if repairs need to be done within the guarantee.
It also offers protection if the builder fails to complete the project after you have paid the deposit. You don’t want to lose tens of thousands of pounds and be left without a home if they walk away from the site and you do not have a warranty.
The National House Building Council (NHBC) is the largest guarantee scheme, offering a ten-year warranty and insurance cover.
Geoff Egginton, NHBC regional director for the north-east, says: “Under NHBC’s ten-year Buildmark warranty, the builder is responsible for putting right any damage caused by their failure to build to NHBC Standards in the first two years.”
He went on to say: “Years three to ten are covered by the NHBC should any issues arise, giving the homeowner protection during this period.”
- Check Consumer Code too
In addition to making sure you will be given a warranty, it is important to check the developer adheres to the Consumer Code for House Builders too.
This ensures buyers are given a realistic expectation about when their house will be complete. If there is an ‘unreasonable delay’ of more than six months from the completion date stated in the Contract of Sale, buyers are within their rights to receive a full refund, including any fees.
- What do you get?
It is hard to fully understand what your home will look like when buying a new-build – particularly for those who purchase off-plan. That is why it is a good idea to find out all the details of what is included in the price, from turf to white goods.
If you have seen a show home, it can be easy to assume all the furniture, fixtures and fittings featured here will also be in the house you purchase, but this might not be the case.
Buying a new-build also offers the chance to customise your property to your tastes, but it is wise to ascertain what comes as standard and what you may need to pay extra for, as some choices are likely to incur additional costs.