Stephens Homes

[Isbutteracarb]

Looking to buy first home, was initially put off by all the horror stories and snagging issues reported by new build owners but a development in our city has caught my eye. The developer is A&J Stephens - just wondering if anyone on here has lived in a Stephens home and has any feedback re. quality or issues you might have had? First time buyer so a bit nervous!

[Isbutteracarb]

Bump?

[TrollTheRespawnJeremy]

I’ve literally never heard of them which would give me a bit of concern

[SteamPudding]

I haven't bought a Stephen home but I have heard of them. I remember they built a large development in Cupar some years ago and the houses seem very popular. As they are Perth based, and not one of the national housebuilders (like Persimmon and Miller), they're probably not so well known in the central belt.

We have bought newbuilds twice from Morrison and Persimmon, most recently 15 years ago. There will always be snagging issues, and they recognise this by giving you a snagging form when you move in, but in my experience builders were quite good about fixing things, usually quite quickly as in both cases they were still on site and it was more little bits and pieces that were missing.

I remember in our Persimmon home one of the toilet seats was missing, (they just went and took one out from another house!), they covered up small settlement cracks above door frames, adjusted doors that weren't closing properly, installed the outdoor tap which we'd paid for but they'd forgotten, smoothed out bumps in the vinyl and came back after some months and sealed around windows where there was a draught. Of course, you have your NHBC 10 year guarantee too should anything major happen. You also have the advantage of all new appliances, boiler, hopefully better insulation etc.

I would definitely buy a newbuild again. There is something nice about having a brand new house that is yours and not feeling that you have moved into someone else's home, decorated to their taste. After leaving our newbuild it took quite a long time to feel that our next house was actually ours.

With a newbuild there is some extra initial work and expense with buying floor coverings, plants for the garden, curtain rails, blinds, lightshades, coat hooks, toilet roll holders, and all the little things that you would probably inherit if you don't buy a newbuild but you would possibly want to change half these things anyway so arguably better to start with a blank canvas. Be clear though about what is included in the purchase price as Persimmon used to have a system called 'Finishing Touches' and we had to pay about an extra £10,000 for floor coverings, turf, appliances, gas fire, proper fencing etc.

Of course, some people may be unlucky and have major problems but equally if you buy an established house, you could have problems too with big items like windows, doors and boilers needing replaced in the short to medium term.

There will always be a certain amount of upheaval and stress involved in moving house but if you see a newbuild in a location that you like, I would say go for it.

[Isbutteracarb]

Thanks a lot @SteamPudding, that's really helpful - it's an estate in Perth we're looking at, from what I can find online it seems like they are reputable but given the horror stories you read about some developers I just want to do as much research as possible beforehand

[SteamPudding]

They seem to be long established in Perth. Of course the other advantages of new builds are not having to get involved in the offers over system, waiting for weeks for missives to be concluded, wondering if the sellers of the house you want to buy might pull out, having to arrange your moving plans to fit with the sellers' moving date etc. Good luck, whatever you decide.

[Seetheprettysnowdrops]

I know people that have bought their houses. High spec and good after care.

They're a local business with a good name

Geoff Brown who owns St Johnstone used to work for them before branching out on his own with GS Brown

Is it Woodlands you're looking at?

[Isbutteracarb]

Yes it is @Seetheprettysnowdrops!

[Seetheprettysnowdrops]

OP these will be lovely houses and in a great location.

I'm only a wee bit jealous

[Isbutteracarb]

@Seetheprettysnowdrops had a cheeky drive by yesterday, they look lovely. Are you local? We've got a DS so looking for info on the Perth primary schools, the ones for that catchment area would be Oakland's and Viewlands.

[Seetheprettysnowdrops]

OP I'm about 10 minutes away

It is a joint catchment. If I had primary aged children, I'd probably opt for Viewlands. It's smaller but not too small.

[LilyLolo81]

I have a close relative who has worked for several house builders and now works for them. They say that they are excellent, the best company they have worked for in respect to the quality of the houses and the customer care.

[Isbutteracarb]

@LilyLolo81 that's fantastic, thanks for sharing!

[januarysickntiredofyou]

I grew up in a Stephens home. I thought they were supposed to be a good quality builder. It was a lovely house...

[Huntlybyelection]

They are a pretty localised builder, don't know much but I know they are better than persimmon.

[Isbutteracarb]

My colleague has a Persimmon, it's taken 4 years for them to fix the (many) problems they had with the house 😞

[LilyLolo81]

@Isbutteracarb no problem! I’m beyond jealous, they’re lovely houses!

[Isbutteracarb]

Ahhh no need to be jealous, we're at the very early stages so no idea if we'll even get mortgage approved! But fingers crossed 🤞🏼😁 They've got another big development in Scone coming up apparently...

[Seetheprettysnowdrops]

Scone is lovely too but there is a fair bit of animosity among some locals about all the new houses.

Once the Tay link road is completed, access will improve but there is terrible congestion at Bridgend in Perth which causes issues. I used to live in Scone but prefer Perth now the kids are older.

The new Woodlands development is looking to be very nice

You've also got a cracking pub within walking distance, the Cherrybank.

[Isbutteracarb]

I know what you mean about Scone, I'm a commuter so out of the question for me - it's a nightmare traffic-wise over that side. Can see where the Scone residents are coming from tbh, the new houses will just add more congestion and will probably be ages before the other bridge is built (have they actually started it yet?)

[Spanglybangles]

There is a Stephens development in my town, was completed a few years ago. Lovely quality homes and extremely popular. Know a few people who live in them and they are really great houses. They are classed as a smaller builder rather than the big guys like Barratt, Stewart Milne etc, but fantastic and far superior to Persimmon.

[Isbutteracarb]

We went to visit the development and it's lovely, they're not the biggest houses (think they're being marketed as starter/downsize homes) but we're mulling it over!

[Isbutteracarb]

(To clarify I'm talking about the 2/3 bed semis)

[ScoR20]

Would have liked to have moved to a larger Stephens house but they have awful conditions for current home owners which mean you have to sell your house well in advance of them even building the house you're after in order to conclude the missives... So you're homeless or renting for months just waiting for them to complete the build. This is impractical for many families. Disappointing service in that respect.