Redrow New Build - Experiences

[VimtoQueen90]

I posted not too long ago about DH and I struggling to find a good sized 4 bed property within an area in South Wales we currently live in.

We've now decided after going to a few viewings for older properties that we're probably better off going with a new build Redrow as for the same price as some of the older properties, it offers 4 generously sized bedrooms and a decent sized garden.

They've said we need to put our house on the market before we can reserve a plot, however, I was just looking for people's recent experiences with this? They've said that we would need to exchange on the new property within 6 weeks. The house is due to be completed in May/June 2025 and we would either need to find buyers that would be willing to wait or move out into rented/potentially with family. It seems a bit more complicated buying a new build than we thought, how have people managed this along with selling their current house?

Also, fittings in the new property are expensive. There are a lot of things that Redrow seem to include which are really reasonable but you obviously pay for upgrades etc, I assume in cash rather than adding to a mortgage. Again, how have people managed this after also managing the cost required for the deposit itself? I understand incentives can usually be given but are these actually commonly given?

This house is the second phase of the development and I've been asking locally on Facebook groups of people's experiences with Redrow and they've been very positive so we feel this is probably the best path to go down for our hopefully 'forever' home, but would really appreciate people sharing their experiences!

It is hard selling your house when buying a new build! Our current house is newbuild and we just got lucky with timing & buyer to be honest! I know 2 of our neighbours moved in with family before moving in here, and I also know some builders will “buy” your house from you which can make things easier but it does mean you usually get less for your house than you would if you put it up for sale the normal way.

Re. Extras, yes you have to pay upfront for them, can’t add it to your mortgage.

You’d only really be offered incentives if plots aren’t selling and they need to convince a buyer by sweetening the deal, so as you’re already interested you’re a sale in the bag, no incentive required. On our site none of us got incentives other than literally the last handful of plots, the site was popular, lots of interest and plots went quickly so no need for them to offer any incentives until those last few wouldn’t shift.

The one thing I’d say about extras though is really price it up because often you can get the same things done yourself after completion for less. We got stung with this as we didn’t look into it all properly so made some stupid expensive decisions, like we upgraded to chrome towel rail in the bathroom, paid £450 for that when actually we could have had the exact same one and fitted for about £120 after completion. Same with the sink, we paid for an upgraded sink as we hated the one that came as standard, £190 and again could have bought and done this ourselves for less than £100. We upgraded the garden to turf (as standard it would have just been mud) and that was £900, it was rubbish and again we could have done it for a fraction of the price.

So definitely price any extras you do want up yourself as it’s almost always cheaper to do yourself afterwards.

@Mrsttcno1 Thank you, very helpful!

We initially were interested but didn't think there was a house style that suited what we needed and they were emailing me monthly asking if we had changed our minds on buying a property and I could see on the website no plots had been reserved recently (probably due to high interest rates) so I'm wondering if this was a sign that they're not selling as well at the moment which maybe could indicate they'd be willing to include some incentives?

A friend has told me the same about doing/putting things in yourself rather than paying their prices! Some of the prices were crazy!

I've heard that Redrow are one of the better quality ones. You'll get detractors with any developer but I understand it to be better than some.

I think I'd have so much fun with a new build, picking out floor coverings, bathroom tiles, kitchen cabinets etc.