New build negotiations help!

[Hytheroad]

Hello, we are looking at looking a new build David Wilson home. We have never bought a new build before - but price, space and kerb appeal seem better at their development near Brighton; than a lot of pre-owned homes. Leaving new build debates aside - does any one have any experience in negotiations?

1 the house is due for completion in aug/sept and has been marketed on rightmove since dec 2018.
2 they only have 5 more properties to sell on the entire development. 2 of which are the the house we are considering.
3 they include all white goods currently.

We were thinking of negotiating stamp duty and flooring. They suggested they wouldn’t move on list price. But is this the case? Is there room for manoeuvre if the house is practically built and hasn’t yet sold?

All tips and views welcomed!!

They are more likely to throw in extras than budge on list price.

We bought ours 18 months ago and got:

• All white goods (including the ones that were optional extras like tumble dryer)

• Turf laid in back garden (doesn't cost much to them but makes a big difference to you)

• All flooring

• Stamp duty paid

• £1k towards legal costs

I've noticed that they are now marketing the remaining houses with an offer of £1k John Lewis vouchers so you could mention that you've seen other builders offering this.

Basically have a look at what optional extras you want and ask them to throw a load of stuff in.

Worst case scenario is they say you're asking for too much - then get them to indicate what they'd be willing to throw in and negotiate from there.

It's such a slow market at the moment that you don't have to worry about 'missing out' by taking time to negotiate the best deal you can get so nothing to lose from negotiating hard

Thanks - helpful feedback. Just trying to look at where we can save; as this increased mortgage would be a stretch. As you say these haven’t sold. So maybe if we don’t ask - we won’t get!! Would love £10k off list though!!!

We brought the first house off plan not David Wilson though. We were very cheeky and got all the upgrades included- turf, extended patio, carpets and flooring throughout, extra plug sockets, spotlights, upgraded tiles etc.
If you aren’t able to get upgrades to house itself definitely go for money off stamp duty legal fees.

It will depend on how good the plot is , how moveable you are . How many people want your house etc ?
I got the best plot on the site 5 years ago but still got stamp duty paid . All the houses came with flooring and white goods anyway but I think David Wilson let you upgrade some so ask for that . My theory is ask for everything as they can always say no .
We love our new build and are currently extending/ tweaking it as it's such a nice house and plot . Good luck

Thanks you.

We have an offer accepted on ours (chain free buyer) and can move in the day the house is finished. So hopefully that would help.

No idea if anyone else is interested. One additional plot had come up as that sale fell through. So I guess that maybe a positive too for us?!?

Yes it is ... it's a game really buying a new build . Nothing like I expected it to be ..
Good luck .

Move in the day it's finished: completion is a vague concept on new builds, the date is just an estimate and usually it would slip, so don't rely on it happening on the same date as your chain

I heard once that the sales team have around 5% to play with in terms of incentives.

The fact it's almost ready means a lot of the decisions will have been made, so some extras might not be possible (like upgrading kitchen units, or extra bathroom tiling). However things like flooring might be in or planned, and that can add ££s to new build costs. If you don't ask, you don't get!

We had very little negotiating room, as our house was available and in the time we were in the office agreeing to buy, two other couples came to buy our plot (we had early bird reserved). We still got £5k incentives and split it across stamp duty and options. Plots that have been up for sale for 6 months tend to come with more incentives bit less flexibility with what to do with them. Stamp duty/legal fees/flooring are probably your way to go over reduction in cost

I got £40k off list price, all kitchen appliances, all flooring & garden turfed. Just had to move in and put up curtains. Go in with a low offer & negotiate

We had zero room for negotiation as our development and plot were in demand. We got free turf to apologise for the sales person lying repeatedly.

We spent 2 years looking for a new build and the only time any negotiation seemed likely was when someone had already reserved and pulled out. The house was complete, with fittings etc already in place (not to my taste!). The sales person asked for a list of what they could throw in to make us buy.

Was that with David Wilson or another builder?

Hello, I know this is an old threat but I was wondering what deal you ended up with when buying from DWH? we are currently in a similar position.

We reserved a DWH around 3 weeks ago. Got free flooring, white goods, back turf, and extra 5% deposits contributed. It’s because someone pull out of this plot. And the house should be ready in June.

Well that sounds great! Did you do by any chance part exchange? The house we are interested in didn’t even start building yet and I am worried if they are happy to accommodate a fair amount of extras (such as the one you listed) in addition to part exchange.

We are first time buyer so don’t know about part exchange. I guess you can ask them what offer they do. Hope you can get some good deal too.