New builds

[xkittyx]

From browsing this section, it's clear that of all property types, new builds are not a favourite to say the least!
Am I alone in thinking they aren't all that bad? We're currently in a ten year old cottage flat, all the rooms are a pretty good size (kitchen is particularly large), it's really cheap and easy to heat, and the estate looks pleasant.
We've just bought a brand new four bed detached place on a new estate and the room sizes are excellent, as is the back garden. I'm also assuming it will be extremely energy-efficient. I know it doesn't look as charming as a leafy period area but it looks neat and pleasant - and as I live in a city with pretty widespread poverty that looks quite dire in many areas, I'm really happy with that.
Am I just easily pleased or something?

[MAYBELATERNOWIMBUSY]

Well you seem happy, your place sounds fine, i think the Sun is in your sky. well done you ! i went from a very large home in a very well healed area (which i quickly learned i hated !)to living in a 1960"s camper van , total life change (career to job, rat race thingy to every day is a diff. day)and i am very happy or at least content!

[ILoveLemonCurd]

We've just bought a new build. Love the room sizes, the garden is a good size and is very energy efficient. Perfect for us. Remember every house was a new build once!

[oreocrumbs]

I think new builds have improved in the last 5 years or so.

I am a new build hater - that erm lives in one!!

We found when we were looking to move, that time and time again it was new builds that were meeting our requirments re room size and layout.

We found one with a big garden too.

It has its draw backs - noise travels as the walls are paper thin unlike lovely victorian houses, but on the flip side more energy efficient etc.

I moved out of a 2 bed mid terrace victorian house and into a large 4 bed (was 5 but knocked into 4), and my gas and electric bills only went up £10!

[bacon]

Trouble with new build is the main contractor subs the trades out to the cheapest and because you/B-inspector/NHBC cant see or dont need to see the detail. Usually the brickwork can be very shoddy - dont forget everything is built to the cheapest and minimal standards. Min of 10mm for instance is exactly what it will be. The cheapest materials are sourced too - using words like 'high spec' doesnt mean 'high quality'. The kitchens/bathrooms etc can be the cheapest found. Dont be fouled by glossy mags either. I live in a new build but it was self build so better however, it looks tatty, the so called brass fittings are awful, rubbed and of inferior quality, the windows are good, the bathroom is falling apart, doors coming off, bath scratched, sink doesnt clean very well as cheap, the kitchen is the bain of my life from magnet complete piece of crap. The walls are ultra thin and noise travels. Dont be fouled either that the NHBC covers you for everything cos it doesnt. I have friends who bought a huge bryant home who are gutted - the windows are at different levels so curtains on the bedroom have to be made to cover this but you cant!

If you are going to buy you must pay for an independant surveyor/architect to snag the property with a magnifiying glass! Dont accept any rubbish or believe the sales hype.