Redrow or Miller? Which developer would you choose?

[FromplanetMars]

Please share your experience and knowledge which developer should I select ?

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No experience of Redrow, but we went to look at a Miller home. The plot had some sort of tank to cope with drainage. They told us that if we bought we would have to use their solicitors who knew about this kind of thing. The charges wouldn't be capped, and it would need emptying more in wet weather etc.

We walked away.

I lived in a Redrow for 6 years, absolutely fantastic house and good builders as far as I'm concerned. I'm now in a Millers and it is far inferior Redrow.

Sorry that should say it's inferior to the Redrow house.

Whichever wasn't involved in the leasehold ground rent scandal.....

Leasehold ground rent scandal was a scandal but not all developers did it and many didn’t. Not sure if Miller did but Redrow didn’t. Just be aware of management charges.
We’re now in our second redrow (they have build most of the houses in our area) we bought our current one “new” but the other was 20years old. Can’t fault them so far. Yes there are snags and things to be sorted but they did so quickly and never pushed back on it. I do think it varies from site to site but thankfully our site team have been very good so far.

www.redrow.co.uk/newsroom/national/2017/3/redrow-comments-on-leasehold

www.leaseholdknowledge.com/hilary-benn-rounds-miller-homes-leeds-constituency/

Oh that's a relief. For a moment I thought this was a baby names thread...

Redrow houses are aesthetically superior to miller.

Apologies I should have clarified that leasehold still applies to flats for most new builds as they’ve traditionally always been that way.

We’ve looked on and off at redrow new build houses over the last 5-7years or so (but only took the plunge on a new build this year) and in our area they have all been advertised as freehold in that time. However, we are not in a city or an estate with flats so not saying they’ve never done it. But it is definitely something to be aware of.
Another local builder near us (TY) sold normal houses not just flats as leasehold and it has been a nightmare for those residents.
Just review the management charges and use an impartial solicitor. We have a management charge but we used a solicitor not linked with the builder and spoke to quite a few people who have bought and sold recently built homes in our area (with the same management company) and they’re all generally happy. Not ideal but limited options in our area.

There is a management fee confirmed by Redrow . So its freehold with estate charge. Its hard to find any new build without maintainence charges nowadays.
I dont worry too much about charge at this stage, i know everything pretty much gets pricey with inflation etc so as gas bills , council tax etc and i will be saving bit more money as new houses are energy efficient.

I visited 3 year old Redrow estate yesterday. Trust me I was very impressed with all different style of houses.

I bought old house which i have sold now that was built in 1985 by Mclean homes , all were walls were plaster board ones (internal )and layout never worked like dining room at front of house with no practical thought.

New houses got much better layout having kitchen /diner/living together with separate formal lounge.

I have particularly liked Henley (Redrow house) but i will do more research before reserving it.

Miller I have seen their development ( completed development in other area)and they dont look that unique compare to Redrow.

Redrow is in phase 4 and Miller is releasing plots in phase 1 this month

Redrow is planning to build just over 400 houses something like that with all developed land around them apart from two lakes around them.

Miller is building more than 1000 houses on opposite road to Redrow.

@FromplanetMars
Yes, very few new build estates come without maintenance charges unfortunately. It is just key to do research on them as some are unscrupulous and could become the new "leasehold scandal". As there have been at least 3 "Redrow" estates built in our area over the past 10 years & we have looked at them on and off. We also know that the maintenance company set up for our estate also runs the others. Houses on these other estates have no issues selling and I know a few people who live on them who say while the price has increased it hasn't been at an unreasonable rate. That gave us confidence to take the plunge as there was absolutely nothing else "old" on the market.

Oooh the Henley is a dream house type and it's layout is lovely. We've seen the showroom but sadly they didn't build any on our estate so we are in a Shaftesbury. I agree, we moved because the older houses layouts didn't suit us. Sorry I'm not too familiar with the Miller homes as they aren't built round our area (that I've noticed).

There is quite a good fb group called "New Build Help Group" I'm not sure if you've seen it. A lot of it is people asking mortgage advice but people also ask for feedback on different builders and it's quite balanced.

I've had 2 redrow houses. Houses were great, spacious inside compared to other new builds in the area, good value for money.
Only let down is the gardens, the gardens on our estate were awful, really tiny, uneven, poor drainage etc....
Mine last one was North East facing too and with a 3 story house we got more shade than we did!!

More shade than we did sun that last time should read!

I'm in a Redrow house, moved in three years ago. Lots of snags but they sorted everything out. It really does depend on the site manager. Ours was great.

If some houses are occupied try to speak to residents already there. I madly bought off plan, but no regrets.

New houses do tend to be built on small plots. Ours is south facing at the back but I am happy to have a smallish garden. The garden is also overlooked, but the neighbours are lovely.

When we moved in, we all had to pay a management fee for the central bit of land here, but it got adopted by the local council now, so we no longer have to pay. No way of predicting this however.

I'd definitely buy another Redrow. All the best op

Never owned either but on aesthetics alone it would always be Redrow for me. Their homes are BEAUTIFUL. Look years old, well established in the scene and full of character. Love them!