New build advice

Bogfaerie · 2025-07-21T07:03:13+00:00

I have to put a deposit on a new build. My house STC . Once I place a deposit then I will have to pay for flooring etc. Problem is there's no completion date . I dont want to lose money if buyer pulls out is there anything I can do ? There's no turfing etc. The builder needs to just put kitchen in so they ask if you want upgrades etc. Im stuck as if I dont put a deposit and move with it I lose house yet buyer waiting for searches to come back. Is there anything I can put in place so if I go forward and sale falls through I dont lose money

Bluevelvetsofa · 21/07/2025 09:41

I believe you can get insurance, but I don’t know how, I’m afraid.

The best ways to buy a new build are to buy one that’s already finished, or to sell your house and rent until the new build is ready. It sounds as though you’re looking at one of the high volume builders for whom everything is an extra.

lostinthesunshine · 21/07/2025 09:46

This is why most people sell first, move into rented, then move into their new build (unless they can afford to own two houses for a period of time).

Another option is off your builder runs a “guaranteed buyer” scheme, where they will buy your house if your buyer pulls out.

Nourishinghandcream · 21/07/2025 18:17

lostinthesunshine · 21/07/2025 09:46

This is why most people sell first, move into rented, then move into their new build (unless they can afford to own two houses for a period of time).

Another option is off your builder runs a “guaranteed buyer” scheme, where they will buy your house if your buyer pulls out.

This.👍

Our NB was not ready for over a year after we reserved and I think the gap between E&C was 10-months so we arranged a long gap between the E&C on our sale (5-months) and lived for the rest of the time in another house we already owned.
Speaking to our new neighbours, all had done something along the lines of living in a second property, renting for 12-months, living with family etc.

With regards to extras and upgrades, we paid for ours as soon as we had exchanged and stopped "shopping" when we reached £25k!😖

Original poster

Bogfaerie · 22/07/2025 07:38

Nourishinghandcream · 21/07/2025 18:17

This.👍

Our NB was not ready for over a year after we reserved and I think the gap between E&C was 10-months so we arranged a long gap between the E&C on our sale (5-months) and lived for the rest of the time in another house we already owned.
Speaking to our new neighbours, all had done something along the lines of living in a second property, renting for 12-months, living with family etc.

With regards to extras and upgrades, we paid for ours as soon as we had exchanged and stopped "shopping" when we reached £25k!😖

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The New build is fully built ready to move into ive seen it. Renting is not an option for me

OP posts:

Original poster

Bogfaerie · 22/07/2025 07:39

Bluevelvetsofa · 21/07/2025 09:41

I believe you can get insurance, but I don’t know how, I’m afraid.

The best ways to buy a new build are to buy one that’s already finished, or to sell your house and rent until the new build is ready. It sounds as though you’re looking at one of the high volume builders for whom everything is an extra.

The house is finished just i have to pay for turfing , flooring etc . To be fair most newbuilds are the same ive visited many theres always an optional extra.

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lostinthesunshine · 22/07/2025 08:58

Bogfaerie · 22/07/2025 07:38

The New build is fully built ready to move into ive seen it. Renting is not an option for me

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TBH I am surprised they are letting you put a deposit down then. Why is it “not an option”?

Admittedly there was a waiting list here, which wouldn’t be the case everywhere, but you could only reserve if you had already sold (not STC) or were using the guaranteed buyer or part exchange schemes.

Bluevelvetsofa · 22/07/2025 09:30

There are developers who include landscaping the front garden, turf and patio at the back, carpets and flooring indoors and white goods. There were no optional extras in ours, other than anything you might want to change.

We changed the hob for an induction hob and added extra cupboards in the utility room.

We’ve had four new build houses. We’ve sold and rented twice, bought a show home once and the house we have now was built when we reserved it.

Original poster

Bogfaerie · 22/07/2025 16:14

lostinthesunshine · 22/07/2025 08:58

TBH I am surprised they are letting you put a deposit down then. Why is it “not an option”?

Admittedly there was a waiting list here, which wouldn’t be the case everywhere, but you could only reserve if you had already sold (not STC) or were using the guaranteed buyer or part exchange schemes.

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Every newbuild estate ive been on will hold a house with a deposit. Ive sold STC.

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Original poster

Bogfaerie · 22/07/2025 16:16

Bluevelvetsofa · 22/07/2025 09:30

There are developers who include landscaping the front garden, turf and patio at the back, carpets and flooring indoors and white goods. There were no optional extras in ours, other than anything you might want to change.

We changed the hob for an induction hob and added extra cupboards in the utility room.

We’ve had four new build houses. We’ve sold and rented twice, bought a show home once and the house we have now was built when we reserved it.

All developers offer different incentives. Some turf some its extra. Some provide carpets some dont.

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Foodoverload · 22/07/2025 16:21

I bought off plan and was lucky I could lodge with a friend. It did take 12 weeks for house I was selling to complete.

the builder waited as I had paid a deposit. Others had house sales delayed. They did wait. But ours were still getting built. There was also a waiting list as it was popular.

Gall10 · 22/07/2025 16:25

I’ve been in this position before…we had a buyer but the new build was delayed. We still completed the sale & moved into a farm cottage holiday let-it was so fab we offered to buy it but the owner said no!
I know you haven’t completed yet…if you think your buyer is in a ‘secure’ chain then I’d plough on (see the reference to farm cottage there?) if it’s really your dream home. Otherwise I’d wait til co portion before shelling out any hard earned money that might get washed down the pan if your buyer (or their buyer, or your buyers buyer!) pulls out.
Wishing you the best of luck in whatever happens.

Iloveeverycat · 22/07/2025 16:44

Bogfaerie · 22/07/2025 07:39

The house is finished just i have to pay for turfing , flooring etc . To be fair most newbuilds are the same ive visited many theres always an optional extra.

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We did turfing and flooring after we moved in our new build

AllHoityToity · 22/07/2025 18:21

I would get the floors and turf done independently from the builder. It will probably be better.

The best thing you can pay extra for in new builds is sockets.

DrySherry · 23/07/2025 11:36

I would wait at least until your buyer is ready to exchange contracts. Something close to 40% of agreed sales are not completing at the moment for a variety of reasons.