When buying a new build home, it is important to ask as many questions as possible. Buying a new built home is a big decision, so you shouldn’t feel pressurised into rushing into a contract with a builder until you are completely satisfied that you have found the property that best suits you.
Asking as many questions as possible is important to avoid any surprises or extra costs that may arise when buying a new build property.
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Questions to ask when buying a house or flat
To help, we have compiled a list of important questions to ask when buying a new build house. You can also ask these questions when viewing a new build house. After all, there is no better time to learn about the house or flat, how the company building it operates, the neighbourhood and very important information about your rights as a buyer in the short, medium and long term.
Don’t be afraid to ask too many questions when buying a house. It’s your right as a buyer to know as much as possible about what you are buying. So what questions should you ask when viewing a house? Start with the following:
1. When do you expect the property to be completed?
The builder will normally give you a time frame within a 2-month window.
2. Are the houses traditionally built (brick and blockwork) or timber frame construction?
This will give you an insight into how long the build should take. Timber frame constructions are usually erected much more quickly.
3. What is the cost of the new build property and are there any discounts available?
The sales advisor will usually have a dealing margin within which they can negotiate.
4. Do you take part exchange on an existing property?
Most builders have a part exchange policy if you have a property already that you would like to sell.
5. Is the reservation fee included in the cost of the property?
A reservation fee gives you the right to buy the property for a period of time in which the builder or developer will not sell the property to another buyer.
6. Is the property leasehold or freehold?
Freehold properties are the ones in which you own the house as well as the land it stands on, whereas leasehold means that the land in which the building stands is owned by the freeholder, and you only have the ownership of the property for a set period.
7. What choices are available in terms of home decor, such as kitchens, bathrooms and flooring?
It’s important to understand if there are upgrades available for any of the rooms.
8. Can I have copies of the property plans, drawings, specifications and paperwork?
Check all drawings and specifications that the sales advisor shows you and ask for copies of any that you are asked to sign to say you agree to them. Check the conveyancing plan to see exactly what areas you will be buying. Also, ask the sales advisor for a copy of the Consumer Code for House Builders (read it thoroughly).
9. When will the access roads be completed and when will the final surfacing be carried out?
Access roads can take months if not years to be completed, so it is important to have an estimate, as any road work can be quite inconvenient.
10. What are your customer care procedures?
Good customer care will give you peace of mind in case you need any help from their company.
11. Who are the energy suppliers to the property (gas, water, electricity, broadband, etc)?
Some suppliers will have better coverage, services and prices than others.
12. What is the council tax band?
This, alongside the energy suppliers, will determine to a large extent the extra costs you will have to pay each month.
13. Are there any public open spaces in or near the development? Are there any rights of way, footpaths or bridleways?
Public open spaces can greatly improve the quality of life in a given area.
14. Is there a management company and what are their fees?
Management companies can conduct building maintenance and do any light handyman and/or cleaning work as needed and resolve any concerns from the occupiers of the building.
15. Who is the site manager and have they won any awards?
Awards such as the NHBC’s ‘Pride in the Job’ recognise the work of the site managers building homes to the highest quality.
16. Are there any tree protection zones with tree preservation orders?
If there are any protected areas in the proximity of your house, you might not be able to build any extensions.
17. Are there any land covenants on the new build development?
Land or property covenants are the rules on what can and cannot be done on the land, which will determine a variety of things, such as whether you can park caravans on the land, whether you can use clotheslines or the types or number of animals that you can have inside the property.
18. How many allocated parking spaces does the plot have?
Also, ask whether there will there be shared driveways.
19. Is the site on mains drainage? Is there a pumping station and who maintains it?
20. Is the surface water drainage connected to the mains?
21. If a detached garage is included with the plot, does it have power?
22. Can I arrange a snagging survey before completion to make a list of any property defects?
It’s important to be able to do snagging survey before you move, to identify any defects and have them fixed.
23. Is the area at risk of flooding?
24. What schools, doctors, dentists and hospitals are in the area?
25. What is the area’s criminal record?
Security is an important feature of a neighbourhood and might determine the price of some properties.
26. Are there any environmental issues in the area?
27. Is there Radon Gas on-site?
If yes, ask what precautions have been taken.
28. Who is the warranty provider and what do they cover?
Different warranty providers might cover general defects, structural defects, drainage issues, etc.
29. What guarantees do I receive?
30. Are there any organisations that offer support with the costs, such as help to buy schemes?
There are help to buy and shared ownership schemes aimed at first time buyers.
These questions to ask when buying a new build house should help you in your decision to purchase or not. If you do decide to buy the property, be aware that most builders will have a time frame for you to exchange contracts. With this in mind, they may suggest that you use their solicitor. Our advice would be to use your own solicitor to represent your interests.
Thinking about buying your first home? These are the 10 best first-time home buyer tips.
Hi we asked a group of questions of our developer and they have now refused to sell to us and refunded our reservation fee four months into the build due to end in six months from now. They had the questions for six weeks and basically waited all that time to the decide we were “fussy”. We’ve now lost lots of other homes we could have gone for. Can a developer do this because they make assumptions you will be “difficult” surely you have a right to ask questions? Especially as there are no show homes and all we have to go on is a small plan in a brochure. Some of their original measurements were misleading so we wanted clarification. Has anyone heard of a developer doing this before? There was no negotiation or dialogue just straight to “ you’ll be difficult”. We even wrote an apology in case we had across as difficult but it made no difference. They have ruined everything and risked our sale and cost us money. And wasted months of our house buying process.
Hi Kate
I am sorry to hear this, as a purchaser of a new build house asking questions is part of the process, you are going to have questions especially if there is no show home to view which does not make you a difficult customer. I have experienced this in the past where the builder has refused to sell to a customer and even pulled papers at the last minute. My advice would be to have a word with your solicitor to see if you have any right to pursue a claim against your builder. I know it is no consolation but if your builder is happy to do this to you at such an early stage in the process, what would they be like once you have moved in if you have any problems
I find it amazing that our son wants a new build houses dividing wall not to be built ,it is non load bearing and will be charged £300 NOT to have it built.
It is being bought off plan
Hi Edward
Is this a stud wall that is being removed to make a room larger?
Hi, In a new build property is the toilet downstairs supposed to be big enough for a wheel chair to get in.
Date:::::::28/09/2021
Hi Elaine
yes, the downstairs cloakroom should allow wheelchair access, the minimum dimension is 750mm from the door casing to say the sink.
Hope this answers your question.
Best Regards
Ian
Hi Ian
I was wondering if you could help clarify something for me? I have a new build in progress in the North of England with a well known developer and we are slightly behind schedule. The mortgage offer is due to run out 3rd December and in order to complete this on time I need the CML signed off. I have a lot of extras planned for the house however what is the very least a developer has to do in order to get this signed off. I can wait for the fully tiled bathrooms and flooring options and even the upgraded kitchen these can be completed in the following months after we have the CML. So my question is what is the minimum a developer can do in order to get the CML signed off?
Many thanks
Jonathan
Hi Jonathan,
The house has to be finished for the warranty provider to sign it off, if you have extras then these might impact the time frame your developer has to finish the house. It is sometimes possible to get a dispensation if your extras are not going to be done before you move in but you would have to speak to sales on site about this.