Would you buy a new build home?

Would you buy a new build home?

Author
Discussion

blueg33

35,586 posts

223 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
andye30m3 said:
I happy buy a one off new build or something from a small developer on a small estate.

I wouldn't want to move to one of the big new build estates from one of the national developers. I tend to find their products are quite often quite expensive, lots of small rooms with little storage and the houses are all to often on very small plots which are too close to each other.

I'm not all that keen on timber framed houses and certainly not timber framed flats.
As a matter of interest what is the issue with timber frame?

Also, would you have issues with modular construction?

Fittster

20,120 posts

212 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
My logic is that the best building sites are used first. So the stuff that was put up hundreds of years ago is more likely to have a nicer location than something that is built today.

You can fix problems with a house but you can't move its location.

andye30m3

3,452 posts

253 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
andye30m3 said:
I happy buy a one off new build or something from a small developer on a small estate.

I wouldn't want to move to one of the big new build estates from one of the national developers. I tend to find their products are quite often quite expensive, lots of small rooms with little storage and the houses are all to often on very small plots which are too close to each other.

I'm not all that keen on timber framed houses and certainly not timber framed flats.
As a matter of interest what is the issue with timber frame?

Also, would you have issues with modular construction?
It would just be my preference, I've designed 100's of timber framed houses and for myself I'd rather go for a brick and block construction.

Modular doesn't inspire me any more, The only modular building I've been involved with was a school building and trying to discuss issues with the standard details was like pulling teeth, clear cold bridges were met with comments like 'we always do that'. The system just didn't feel like it had been completely designed and some of the work arounds for things like subfloor ventilation didn't in my mind work as well as the traditional ways of doing things.

soupdragon1

3,966 posts

96 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
As a matter of interest what is the issue with timber frame?

Also, would you have issues with modular construction?
I think the number one issue with timber frame is the noise insulation - its just not as good. Although on new builds, if good glass goes in the windows, there is some mitigation here. Then you have the interior noise travelling. No getting away from it.

Despite that - we built our home 4 years ago and its timber frame. We had experienced timber frame before and I love the fact that you can put the heating on in the winter and 10 minutes later, the house is feeling warm. I think I measured it last year, something like 10 degrees to 20 degrees in 12 minutes or something silly like that.

The very nature of brick interior walls means they take longer to heat up, and cool down is slower. In the summer, especially that spell of really warm weather - once the sun set, it was relatively easy to cool the house back down to get it to at least a more pleasant temperature to get to sleep.

With our busy lifestyle, being able to regulate heat very easily is a big attraction, and timber frame is great for that.

Quite a list of pro's and con's for brick build, timber build. The 'noise' factor and the 'temperature' factors are the 2 biggest for me.

blueg33

35,586 posts

223 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
andye30m3 said:
blueg33 said:
andye30m3 said:
I happy buy a one off new build or something from a small developer on a small estate.

I wouldn't want to move to one of the big new build estates from one of the national developers. I tend to find their products are quite often quite expensive, lots of small rooms with little storage and the houses are all to often on very small plots which are too close to each other.

I'm not all that keen on timber framed houses and certainly not timber framed flats.
As a matter of interest what is the issue with timber frame?

Also, would you have issues with modular construction?
It would just be my preference, I've designed 100's of timber framed houses and for myself I'd rather go for a brick and block construction.

Modular doesn't inspire me any more, The only modular building I've been involved with was a school building and trying to discuss issues with the standard details was like pulling teeth, clear cold bridges were met with comments like 'we always do that'. The system just didn't feel like it had been completely designed and some of the work arounds for things like subfloor ventilation didn't in my mind work as well as the traditional ways of doing things.
In terms of TF, I think I agree with you, great for speed of construction pretty poor for avoiding shrinkage cracks and only ok on noise transmission. There is no substitute for mass when it comes to sound, at Charles Church we used concrete upper floors and block walls in our houses. having said that for apartments, timber frame seems to be quieter than steel (judging by purchaser comments).

andye30m3

3,452 posts

253 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
blueg33 said:
andye30m3 said:
blueg33 said:
andye30m3 said:
I happy buy a one off new build or something from a small developer on a small estate.

I wouldn't want to move to one of the big new build estates from one of the national developers. I tend to find their products are quite often quite expensive, lots of small rooms with little storage and the houses are all to often on very small plots which are too close to each other.

I'm not all that keen on timber framed houses and certainly not timber framed flats.
As a matter of interest what is the issue with timber frame?

Also, would you have issues with modular construction?
It would just be my preference, I've designed 100's of timber framed houses and for myself I'd rather go for a brick and block construction.

Modular doesn't inspire me any more, The only modular building I've been involved with was a school building and trying to discuss issues with the standard details was like pulling teeth, clear cold bridges were met with comments like 'we always do that'. The system just didn't feel like it had been completely designed and some of the work arounds for things like subfloor ventilation didn't in my mind work as well as the traditional ways of doing things.
In terms of TF, I think I agree with you, great for speed of construction pretty poor for avoiding shrinkage cracks and only ok on noise transmission. There is no substitute for mass when it comes to sound, at Charles Church we used concrete upper floors and block walls in our houses. having said that for apartments, timber frame seems to be quieter than steel (judging by purchaser comments).
For flat's I'd always prefer concrete floors, I did a lot of timber frame hotels for a while and even with strict acoustic requirements they could still have issues, especially as they got older.


blueg33

35,586 posts

223 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
andye30m3 said:
blueg33 said:
andye30m3 said:
blueg33 said:
andye30m3 said:
I happy buy a one off new build or something from a small developer on a small estate.

I wouldn't want to move to one of the big new build estates from one of the national developers. I tend to find their products are quite often quite expensive, lots of small rooms with little storage and the houses are all to often on very small plots which are too close to each other.

I'm not all that keen on timber framed houses and certainly not timber framed flats.
As a matter of interest what is the issue with timber frame?

Also, would you have issues with modular construction?
It would just be my preference, I've designed 100's of timber framed houses and for myself I'd rather go for a brick and block construction.

Modular doesn't inspire me any more, The only modular building I've been involved with was a school building and trying to discuss issues with the standard details was like pulling teeth, clear cold bridges were met with comments like 'we always do that'. The system just didn't feel like it had been completely designed and some of the work arounds for things like subfloor ventilation didn't in my mind work as well as the traditional ways of doing things.
In terms of TF, I think I agree with you, great for speed of construction pretty poor for avoiding shrinkage cracks and only ok on noise transmission. There is no substitute for mass when it comes to sound, at Charles Church we used concrete upper floors and block walls in our houses. having said that for apartments, timber frame seems to be quieter than steel (judging by purchaser comments).
For flat's I'd always prefer concrete floors, I did a lot of timber frame hotels for a while and even with strict acoustic requirements they could still have issues, especially as they got older.
Interesting we have just moved to TF for flats, mainly because the cost is passed to the tax payer and we are trying to make them cheaper, I am currently on the fence, we have now done 3 blocks in TF, noise transmission seems og, we can get the floor loadings for hoists, but the settlement cracks around windows really piss me off it annoys our construction director even more.

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Monday 20th August 2018
quotequote all
OP you might want to check on a couple of things

You mention 95% LTV - many mortgage lenders won’t lend at that for new build, 85% being more usual.

If you meant using Help to Buy with 5% cash, 20% equity loan and 75% first charge LTV, purchase price is limited to £200,000 in Scotland.

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Also if you’re ever tempted by Persimmon have a look at the “Persimmons - Unhappy Customers” group on Facebook and you’ll be put off for life

otherman

2,190 posts

164 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
It's all about location though isn't it? Where do you want to be and is the estate an acceptable compromise.
You balance cost, location and the house itself to make your decision, how you weight them is up to you.
I compromised my immediate location (opposite three shops) and small back garden (don't actually need one) in favour of walking distance to quality local bars and restuarants + detatched house + open plan kitchen diner (my favourite arrangement) + big front room + off road parking for 4 cars + 100 yds to tram stop and night time access to party town.
For me this pack adds up to a win, but other people would want something different.

blueg33

35,586 posts

223 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Toaster Pilot said:
Also if you’re ever tempted by Persimmon have a look at the “Persimmons - Unhappy Customers” group on Facebook and you’ll be put off for life
Complainers always make more noise than satisfied customers , and Persimmon are the largest house builder by volume.

What would interest me are their customer feedback ratings done by the independent firm who collect the data for housebuilders. We were always in the top 5% but that doesn’t mean that every new house was perfect.

Integroo

Original Poster:

11,574 posts

84 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Toaster Pilot said:
OP you might want to check on a couple of things

You mention 95% LTV - many mortgage lenders won’t lend at that for new build, 85% being more usual.

If you meant using Help to Buy with 5% cash, 20% equity loan and 75% first charge LTV, purchase price is limited to £200,000 in Scotland.
I have a mortgage promise for 95% and no mention of it not being applicable to a new build but worth checking, and it wouldn't be using an equity loan, but the H2B LISA.

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Integroo said:
I have a mortgage promise for 95% and no mention of it not being applicable to a new build but worth checking, and it wouldn't be using an equity loan, but the H2B LISA.
thumbup

I’m in the process of buying a “new build” in England - small developer and a 1900s house that has been completely gutted and redone with just the original walls left rather than a “proper” estate type thing though.

Integroo

Original Poster:

11,574 posts

84 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Toaster Pilot said:
thumbup

I’m in the process of buying a “new build” in England - small developer and a 1900s house that has been completely gutted and redone with just the original walls left rather than a “proper” estate type thing though.
I'd quite like one of those - few in Edinburgh, sadly the two bed apartments start at 1m!

Toaster Pilot

14,615 posts

157 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Integroo said:
I'd quite like one of those - few in Edinburgh, sadly the two bed apartments start at 1m!
Wow! yikes

Garemberg

424 posts

88 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Integroo said:
I'd quite like one of those - few in Edinburgh, sadly the two bed apartments start at 1m!
i think you need to refine your ESPC search!

Gareth1974

3,408 posts

138 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Is it viable to buy the boring new build place, live in it for a bit (so you don't pay stamp duty as a buy-to-let), and then rent it out, using the rental income to pay the rent on a city centre flat for a few years, then move back into the new build when you're ready for that change in lifestyle.

Integroo

Original Poster:

11,574 posts

84 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Garemberg said:
i think you need to refine your ESPC search!
If you want new build and city centre, there's a few 300k studio flats and a luxury development just down from Haymarket where the apartments are 1m to 2m. That seems to be it!

Obviously used is less expensive. (Though problem as noted above is 200k two bed selling for 230 or 240k).

Garemberg

424 posts

88 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
There is a 2 bed maindoor 110 Sq M with Garden on Carlton Terrace at the moment @ 525k it will go for circa 620 - bonkers money but well below a Million.

The flats you mention in Haymarket are at Donaldsons - it's basically Hogwarts so will skew your figures, they are built by Cala however who have a good reputation for new builds.

I really suggest you speak with an established Edinburgh Solicitor - I can PM you mine if that helps





Edited by Garemberg on Tuesday 21st August 19:09

Integroo

Original Poster:

11,574 posts

84 months

Tuesday 21st August 2018
quotequote all
Garemberg said:
There is a 2 bed maindoor 110 Sq M with Garden on Carlton Terrace at the moment @ 525k it will go for circa 620 - bonkers money but well below a Million.

The flats you mention in Haymarket are at the old School - it's basically Hogwarts so will skew your figures.

I really suggest you speak with an established Edinburgh Solicitor - I can PM you mine if that helps
Still much above what I can afford and crazy money !

Thanks for the offer, but I'm not likely to buy for a while yet.