New builds don't last long.

[Holidaysun2025]

I just googled the live span of a house built in the 1930s it said they can last indefinitely. But new builds around 60 years . That's not long at all is it. It almost seens pointless to buy them. If someone middle aged buys one dies in their 80s . Theres only 20 ish years left before it falls apart. I guess its cheaper than renting though 🤷

I wouldn’t panic too much. A house built in the 1930s will have needed much regular maintenance since it was built to still be in good condition, and if that maintenance is continued then could well last indefinitely. As-built in the ‘30s it would have had single glazed windows, no insulation in the loft, no fitted kitchen, limited electrical wiring, possibly no damp proof course and probably not even cavity walls. But, how many times will it have had new windows, roof, doors, electrics, kitchens, boilers, bathrooms and been extended along the way? If a new build is equally well maintained throughout its life I am sure it will also last longer than 60 years!

There might be survivorship bias happening here.

A house built in the 30s that is still standing today will likely continue to last a long time. That's because all the shoddy ones fell apart decades ago and the surviving ones are likely to have had lots of maintenance to keep them in good condition.

It's shocking the life span of new build schools etc... it's all about cost ..

Pretty sure new builds of today won't be literally disintegrating in 60 years. A lot of older UK housing stock is in very poor nick - drafty, damp and affected by rising water tables especially in cities with lots of terraces and hard surface yards. Now those, I'd be worried about how much money you'd have to spend to keep them habitable for another six decades.

We have flashy new-build eco-buildings at work. I was told that they're likely to only last about 25 years, at a cost of several millions 😮