Property buyers put off by lack of character and poor construction of new builds

Potential buyers are being put off by the lack of quality in the construction and character of new-builds, research suggests.

A poll of 2,000 adults by residential warranty provider BLP Insurance – seeking views on the public’s perception of new-builds – found 24% consider a lack of quality to be a major disadvantage of buying a new-build home over an older property, while 26% see the lack of character as a drawback.

Others were unhappy with the size of rooms (24%), and price (21%).

Respondents aged 16-24 saw cost (32%) as the biggest disadvantage of buying a new build home while respondents over the age of 55 think cost (18%) is the least important factor with the lack of character (30%) the principal drawback of buying a new build.

Kim Vernau, chief executive of BLP Insurance, said: “Poor build quality is an increasing issue in the UK housing market. As developers attempt to meet the high levels of demand for new homes, practical design and quality is being compromised.

“As more and more buyers become aware of the issues that poor quality of build gives rise to, all parties involved in the construction of new homes will have to respond, taking greater responsibility and ensuring quality of the build process going forward.”

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4 Comments

  1. Dom_P

    I can concur with this; my wife and I bought our first home, a new build, in 2014 from a well known national developer. We expected to encounter snags and were prepared for this, however the amount of issues we encountered were staggering and were exacerbated by the attitude and lack of attention we received from the developer.

    We even ended up on the news as a result of the experience we had!

    4 years on and we still have issues appearing with the house leading me to wish I had the funds to have a full structural survey whilst the NHBC warranty is still in place as I am not convinced at all as to the quality of the build.

    Whilst there are definite plus points to a new build, on the balance of evidence I would rather buy an older house and keep some funds to re-decorate/renovate once purchased.

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  2. CountryLass

    I really can’t stand new builds. They are all identical, too small with no garden and there is no privacy. In the summer holidays my parents out in the country have let my daughters run in and out of the paddling pool in their pants, but they couldn’t do that in some of these places as the entire street can look out of their window in to the garden.

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  3. em4100319

    Well, I can say that the survey activity of in with that you were involved and did that survey, great. Thanks to share this blog and make us to know about this. Have a pleasant time every day.

    https://gardinerbuildingcontractors.co.nz

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  4. Clairemetcalfe965

    It were there to see posts, blogs and contents as well. I must have been in involved in commenting to these blogs. I feel really nice.

    http://buildamconstruction.co.nz

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