Springfield Homes

[MarchHare22]

Does anyone have any experience? I'm particularly interested in being able to make minor'ish alterations.

We've never had a new build before and I was speaking to a couple of colleugues today about our plans (we have Springfiled new build reserved) and about how we would make a few changes. However, they were saying there is often a clause which says you cannot make any changes for over a year, one said they were even told they couldn't hang pictures or mirrors?!? What on earth!

We've been abroad for over seven years and moved back last year to permenant UK positions and have been waiting a) to be eligable for a mortgage and b) for the right property. We have been in rented so long, the thought of having to have someone else tastes and choices imposed on me for another 18 months and during a year's worth of ownership is making me a bit sad and want to pull out.

The person in the office was a bit useless and I am waiting for more info on Monday but thouht I'd ask here.

Changes/additions we were thinking;

Decorated/painted to our taste

Fire and fireplace in sitting room

Different kitchen - the choice's aren't great and a family member is a cabinet maker who does bespoke furniture, inc kitchens and can make us something really lovely and to our taste, also would like a different oven to what's on offer

Different floor covering downstairs

A nicer patio door out to the garden

Garden properly landscaped

Changes/additions we were thinking;

Decorated/painted to our taste -
Likely depends on what you want. They will have a range of colours they can provide.

Fire and fireplace in sitting room -
you’ll likely need to add that when you move in. I don’t think it’s an extra they provide.

Different kitchen - the choice's aren't great and a family member is a cabinet maker who does bespoke furniture, inc kitchens and can make us something really lovely and to our taste, also would like a different oven to what's on offer.

Oven yes, if it’s a supplier they use. Change to kitchen no. They will have a range you can chose from. Your family member likely isn’t within that range.

Different floor covering downstairs
yes if it’s a supplier and a range they offer.

A nicer patio door out to the garden,
possibly an upgrade. You’d need to ask.

Garden properly landscaped
as the patio door.

All of the above should have been discussed and put in place before you reserved your plot and build. What stage is your build at? Springfield are a mass produce builder but better than the likes of permission, Taylor Wimpey etc.

Thanks @soupweather sorry for the confusion we weren’t expecting them to do any of this these are things we would do them after moving in we understand we’re buying what’s there but will want to change the elements listed above.

What I was worried about is the two colleagues saying you aren’t normally allowed to make changes and there will be a clause, I suppose like a restrictive covenant that will mean we can’t.

Its good to know there are somethings we could upgrade/effect prior though.

literally just the foundations laid presently.

I can't remember which company it was, but my friend had the year 'rule' about not painting or hanging things on the wall - I think it was to make sure the walls / plaster had settled properly.

We are in a Springfield house purchased in September 2019. We chose our own flooring, tiles, paint, kitchen units - at Porcelanosa.

We had a new build. I don't remember a ban on year 1 changes, but painting, decorating, hanging heavy items were very much discouraged to allow the house dry out, walls settle, deal with nail pops etc.

We didn't plan anything like changing patio doors etc. but if we had undertake any structural changes (e.g. widening the space for doors) I am pretty sure it would invalidate any guarantees or rights around remedial work.

Ime it's not a bad idea to wait a year before making any major changes anyway - you could have snagging that takes a while to resolve (we had to have plasterboard panels replaced in our hallway after a year).

If putting in your own flooring, which lots of people do, if you need to move anything to install the flooring (e.g. lift the toilet pedestal), bear in mind if you have problems with the toilet, the builders again, might not take responsibility.