If you’re a first-time buyer, have a growing family, or are looking for the perfect retirement home, a new build home is a great option. However, there are some common issues that many home buyers are unaware of when purchasing a new home. Among the most common complaints, we receive at Home snagging UK is from homeowners who are dissatisfied with the quality of their newly constructed homes. Here are some pointers for those of you who are about to move into a new build.
Before You Move into Your New Build Home
Since you will be the first person that lives at your address, there is also an additional layer of things to arrange before you turn up compared to a standard house move. Here are some of the things you need to consider before you move into your new build home:
- Before you move in, be sure to complete a snagging survey or snagging list as some people may know it as. The best time to complete a professional snagging survey is before you complete your purchase. However, many developers will not permit snagging inspections before completion. If this is the case, you should schedule a snagging survey as soon as possible after moving in. But what is a snagging survey? Find out by reading our previous article.
- Take measurements for soft furnishings in your new home. Don’t make any big purchases until after you’ve exchanged contracts and the house is legally yours, but you can start thinking about where you’ll put furniture and what will fit where.
- Your new home comes with a new address, which many businesses may not have on file. It is your building developer’s responsibility to contact the local council and request a new address and postcode. When Royal Mail receives notification that mail can be delivered to it, the post code will go live. So go ahead and tell them.
- It can take weeks for an engineer to come to your house and install your broadband and, if you have it, satellite television. So, make these appointments as soon as possible to avoid going without modern necessities for a few weeks.
On Completion
When moving into a new build home, double-check your documentation. Your solicitor or legal representative for your new build purchase should request and receive all paperwork from your builder/developer before completion. Ascertain that they have received:
- A copy of your Buildmark (NHBC) or other new home warranty and policy documents.
- If you are a leaseholder, a copy of your lease.
- Details on who should be paid any service charge or ground rent.
- Every appliance, including your boiler, comes with an instruction manual and a guarantee.
On Moving Day
Examine everything with fresh eyes, and go through your house again, making sure everything works. Run your hand over the surfaces, looking for scratches, indentations, holes, snags, and gaps because it will be difficult to argue that you didn’t cause them when you move in. Indeed, file them as issues with your builder before signing any builder forms that day.
About Home Snagging UK
Our Home Snagging UK experts have a keen eye and pay attention to the smallest details, so they frequently spot snags that your property developer may have overlooked. Because of our defect prevention training and consistent finish guidelines, our snagging inspection service ensures that your new build home is built as promised. We are a snagging company you can rely on, with over 20 years of experience. Fill out our online enquiry form or call us at 01302 961111 to speak with one of our experts today.
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