To hate new builds?

[Sello]

This will likely be controversial, but my brother and his partner moved into a new build and now my parents are also moving into one.

I find there is something soulless about them.

The one my parents are moving into is in the process of being built and so they’ve put an offer in and been accepted, even though they’ve never seen it, only the plans.

Our house is Victorian and although it does have some problems with damp and insulation, I loved the character as soon as we walked in.
My in laws house is around 500 years old, it’s an old farmhouse and it has so much charm and character.

I know it’s each to their own, but I just feel like they’re uninviting, like Lego houses and like a hotel or something.

That's not voicing an opinion, that's being a vile snob.
How the fuck does my house have "zero life in it" because its 2 years old? There are 7 people are 3 animals in it, there's plenty of life in it!
And it's not damp with rattley windows and mice, like yours likely is.

Beautiful houses but some numpty will still insist their cramped Victorian terrace is better because it’s older

We moved from a Victoria terrace to a 4 year old eco house. The difference is amazing. It's always warm, no damp, straight walls and I can decorate how I want as opposed to what the walls will tolerate without coming down (actually happened when I stripped wallpaper off). I luffs it.

There seem to be varying viewpoints on this, but I really wasn’t meaning to offend anyone.

AIBU to think it’s strange that my parents have bought a house they’ve only seen the plans of, not the house itself? Because it’s not been finished yet.

I live in an Edwardian terrace. All the houses on the street look more or less the same. And in the streets either side.

Whereas there was more variation in house type on the new build estate I lived on. There was a design theme but the houses around me were different shapes and sizes.

PlanBea Ours has large rooms, detached and on a good sized plot. Our gas bill is practically nonexistent as it's South facing and so efficient

are you in my house? 😂

So where are all these new builds with loads of large rooms and parking spaces? I've not seen any so far which have more than 1-2 car parking space and no space to park on the road, open plan downstairs to pretend that there is a decent sized room or a garden larger than a postage stamp. And that's before getting to the lack of public transport and other amenities.

If youj don't want to offend people, propbably best not to tell them that their homes are souless horrible lego boxes.
Bet you wouldn't say it to anyones face.

Not really, I did this and it was great as I got to choose all of the tiles, flooring and cupboards so I wont need to change anything for years as it's all to my taste.

Oh @MissusMaisel you really are sensitive and tetchy.

I guess it’s strange if you haven’t bought new build before but you either look at a show home or just trust the builder. I’ve reserved one by looking at show home and one blind where all I have is the plan to go on but no regrets here

All the new builds will be character houses in a hundred years. We can't all live in Edwardian or Victorian cottages, Wuxi all liked the same and probably souless at the time.

I've got a 70s detached. I can't quite believe it's mine, tbh. I feel like it'll be taken off me at any moment. It's got its issues but got massive front and back garden and so much space. High ceilings, a hall way.

However, a new build would be warmer and have more toilets.

I agree. But I am worried about the shoddy nature of some new builds and the fact NHBC doesn't seem to mean much. Eg, sound insulation for flats or semidetached. A 1000 new housing build locally looked great but the landscaping plan had 3000 fewer trees and shrubs missing (now remedied after people campaigned) and an attractive "lake" which is too steep for remedial planting and needs to be reengineered so it's attractive, safe to walk by and wildlife can move in. It would also be good if the housing actually looked good. I am continually furious that developers often withdraw affordable housing after getting permission on the grounds they now can't afford it. What is it with 5 bedroom houses?

They are quite literally EVERYWHERE!

AIBU to think it’s strange that my parents have bought a house they’ve only seen the plans of, not the house itself? Because it’s not been finished yet.

we bought ours months before they even started building

They don't bother me in the slightest.
I don't live in one at the moment but it was once a new build!

I can actually see them becoming more popular as they are more efficient and economical. If you are in a draughty or damp house then heating costs could be unaffordable.

The main issue I have with the ones in my area are the lack of parking and car ports. I can't store all my crap in a car port!!

All houses were newly built at some point though weren’t they?
I don’t live in a new build but personally wouldn’t live in a Victorian terrace. Just don’t like them. At all. Haven’t started a thread to sneer about them though.

Crikey, why are you so sensitive with your maaaaaasive rooms and A++ rating

Who cares if people think your house is ugly, people no doubt think my house is ugly. I couldnt care less. Why are you taking it so personally.

I think the nicest and most spacious house I’ve rented was the newest (maybe built around 2010). Huge kitchen diner, very wide hallways, very big living room. I don’t think Victorian terraces are very big although older houses do have much nice gardens.

I've only ever lived in Victorian or Edwardian houses - moving into a late 90's build, in my late 60's, is a joy. I looked at quirky houses with character, all of them would need replacement "something" at some point. My house is a boring box but with the most wonderful garden and perfect location. It is warm, well insulated, cheap to heat. Nothing SHOULD need doing to it within my lifetime.

Best decision I ever made.

Beautiful houses but some numpty will still insist their cramped Victorian terrace is better because it’s older

Actually I do prefer our victorian semi-detached over the previous new build. Our bank account doesn't though.

@Booboobibles Yes that's what I was saying on my post about an hour agoI've lived in tons and the ones we've had that were built post 1985 , admittedly all 1800sq ft plus places with good garden were actually far more liveable than the Edwardian and Victorian ones with 'nice features' - all of which featured either occasional mice/rat or the odd damp issues. (And not cheap) we move back from Denmark in 2 weeks and are having an 80s detached, very good garden , lovely kitchen , 3 loos , double garage ,big drive- A Victorian terraced in same location was around same price, on street parking, smaller, poky kitchen . Only positive I can say was it had nicer fireplaces and a bigger bathroom. I think it's easy to buy into the 'original features, nice fireplaces etc' as a middle class aspirational thing- I kind of thought that before we actually rented a 'newer ' house- if not exactly a new build

You do realise that all houses were new builds at one time don't you? It's not about the age. It's about the quality. If you equate new build with something shit then yes, they are awful. If you on the other hand equate them as energy efficient buildings built with modem and luxury materials then they are incredible. Some old builds are crumbling wrecks. But I don't think if all older homes as shit

I'm intrigued - lots of people commenting that older houses generate more dust. Damp, I can understand, but why dust?

I thought it was drafts and gaps in places that cause it - my older properties were all dustier (but then the panelling on doors and up the stairwell were dust traps).