Miller/Barratt homes anyone?

[Pollyinapocket]

Has anybody bought a new build home from either Barratt homes or Miller Homes? Would you recommend, good and bad points? 2 developments have gone up near me and would love a 4 bed detached just want to know hear other people’s experiences :)

Barrett homes are notoriously bad. Google problems with Barrett home builds, don't know the other one.

We bought from Miller Homes 7 years ago. It was a positive experience, we actually did a Part Exchange with them (we weren't planning on moving but fell in love with the house while out killing time one afternoon and didn't want to lose it by putting our home up for sale and having to wait for a buyer). We agreed on offers and reserved the house on Dec 24th and moved in on January 28th (we had a brilliant solicitor who rushed everything through once his office reopened after Christmas/New Year, and Nationwide quickly arranged the mortgage).

Once moved in we had two years where they'd come out and fix any problems and everything we reported was quickly put right. Totally different to the previous new build we bought in the early 90s when we had just a month to report snags.

There haven't been any problems with the house, it seems well built and well designed.

Just to add, our estate is half Miller and half Wimpy and most of the Wimpy homes have had problems with their roofs, requiring scaffolding. Apart from a couple of neighbours complaining of water drainage problems in their gardens, everyone else is happy and it's quite rare for a house on the Miller part of the estate to come on the market.

Thanks @madisonavenue! We’ve heard that literally everything is an additional extra, I.e. grass in the back garden, dishwasher/fridge freezer, lighting. Is this true? How much are he extras? TIA

I believe that can be the case but we got a good deal as they were trying to sell the last few houses already built in order to start the next phase on the estate so the gardens were turfed and planted, all lighting was included, there was a cooker and hob but they were standard fittings anyway according to the brochure. Not sure about appliances but we had our own anyway so it wasn't something we investigated. It was also fully carpeted which for a three storey house saved us a fair bit of money. It's decent carpet too. They also decreased the asking price by £15,000 after we'd signed the reservation as an incentive for us to pull out all stops to complete by the end of the month. They had a meeting once back at work in the January, decided that they needed a house sold before the end of the month and we were the only ones at that time purchasing.

I would not recommend Miller Homes.....

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I bought a Barratt home and it’s been fine. They were the only housebuilder in the area to not charge extra for turfing the garden! We also got a fridge freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, carpets and proper six foot fence all round the garden included in the list price and we bought about halfway through the development. Barratt guaranteed everything in the house for five years (except carpets) which is better than you’d get with an appliance from Argos or Curry’s. We’ve just had three windows replaced for misting and the bathroom light replaced as it just stopped working. I would buy another Barratt home but I wouldn’t part exchange again as they gave us the lowest price they could get away with and we took it because we were in a hurry to move and wanted the house.

It may be worth getting a professional snagging company out if you have a new build. I have friends that did, and he picked up loads of things their unprofessional eye didn't notice! Things that could potentially have caused problems after the 2 year period, so they felt that it was a worthwhile investment

What batshitbetty said. (Great name btw ) Snagging companies are worth their weight in gold in my opinion. You hear good & bad stories about all developers so it definitely pays to have an independent person check things over.

I have just reserved a new home myself with Crest Nicholson. They seem pretty good, but you still hear the odd horror story, so we will definitely be getting a snagging company in.

I tripple recommend a snagging company! My sil has been burnt by her new build a little as the bath seal wasnt done correctly and leaked into the ceiling electrics.

The downstairs toliet also keeps backing up and flooded, and the kitchen hasnt been put in straight in a way that isnt immediately obvious.

Although still covered by the guarantee, they have to go through several layers of mangement company and insurance which is more hassle than getting it actually fixed, although i dont think theyve had to pay for anything themselves its just taken alot of phonecalls!

Can anyone recommend me a snagging co

These are the worse house builders I…These are the worse house builders I have come across. I have been in house 3 years and still got problem with hot water boiler going off when it wants to rear external door is faulty inside doors rattle and plaster work is like a kid as done it. Now nobody answer the phones. Richard culpan and Adam turner are full liar's. I have complained to nhbc and my solicitors are preparing a claim. Got video footage of Millers people coming and saying external door is no good then got email saying nothing wrong what a lie. Do not buy a house off these cowboy builders should be investigated. I well be adding my snag report with 126 faults on and all my correspondence with Millers and the videos to prove they are liar's and scammers

Quality and aftercare seems to vary from region to region.
Our Miller house has been brilliant- we've been there 5 years from new and all problems ( minor) were sorted within a couple of weeks.

Sounds stressful! Can I ask what area you live in where you've had those issues with Miller? Thanks!

Sorry forgot to tag you Deen - that sounds stressful! Can I ask what area you live in where you've had those issues with Miller? Thanks!