Would you buy a new build home?

[blueg33]

selym said:

blueg33 said:

I would say that because I have valued and surveyed plenty of them, why roll your eyes, do facts give you a problem

Volume built houses from the same period are still there too and they are generally better quality, so your point is moot.

Classic PH.

What is that even supposed to mean?

Rather than just making stupid comments how about actually producing something to support ststements you have made?

[selym]

blueg33 said:

selym said:

blueg33 said:

I would say that because I have valued and surveyed plenty of them, why roll your eyes, do facts give you a problem

Volume built houses from the same period are still there too and they are generally better quality, so your point is moot.

Classic PH.

What is that even supposed to mean?

Rather than just making stupid comments how about actually producing something to support ststements you have made?

You add a pretty pathetic rolleyes to start off then question my use, then ask if facts give me a problem, then tell me my point is moot.

I said the council houses are still there, not that they are better. They are still there. Don't get so precious.

Now let's move on and allow the original question to continue being answered.

[Condi]

selym said:

Well, you would say that wouldn't you?

No-one said council houses are 'great' but they are still there.

The modern ones will still be there in 50 years.

Some of the old council houses are terrible, and some are quite literally in a state of falling down. Remember post war and into the 1970s pre-fab was common, and with timber construction you didnt even need foundations, things were just built on a concrete raft.

Having had new build and pre-fab 1970s council, new build is by far a 'better' house.

[ninepoint2]

We moved to a new build when no1 son came along...huge mistake..don't do it, housing estate life is for the s IMHO

[selym]

Condi said:

The modern ones will still be there in 50 years.

Some of the old council houses are terrible, and some are quite literally in a state of falling down. Remember post war and into the 1970s pre-fab was common, and with timber construction you didnt even need foundations, things were just built on a concrete raft.

Having had new build and pre-fab 1970s council, new build is by far a 'better' house.

I hope so, I've got a vested interest in at least one being stood up strong for a while at least!

[Toyoda]

selym said:

No-one said council houses are 'great' but they are still there.

Round my way there's quite a few red brick council houses which I think date from late 1950's/early 1960's. All upstairs internal walls made of brick (or block, solid either way), which is unheard of since the 70's isn't it? They always received preventative maintenance until they were sold off to registered social landlords, who no doubt won't be investing as heavily into the properties, but many are owned now anyway.

As for the original debate, I've looked into this myself many times. The consensus seemed to be that 1930's houses were the sweet spot. Built by hand by skilled men before power tools existed. Since the 70's, materials seem to be getting cheaper and poorer and less long lasting as each big developer chases the bottom line. I faced the new vs. old debate about 8 years ago when I bought. There's tonnes of new builds in my area but I chose a late 1980's build, mainly as it was on a mature estate, all detached houses, well spaced with ample driveway parking. None of this 1 space or a garage nearby in a block nonsense you get with new builds nowadays. Neverthless, there's plenty evidence of stuff that's not built to last. Mine has a floating floor downstairs, basically a thick layer of insulation over the foundations then a layer of wayroc (chipboard) on top of it. Over the years it's become increasingly squeaky and you can feel it's sagged a little in the high trafficked areas. Not the best base for a washing machine either. Interestingly I see there's new builds built since with solid floors, so I don't know the rationale behind which floor type the builder chooses, as mine was built by a well regarded local developer.

In any case, it's all a gamble what you buy. You can buy new and have few problems, you can buy old and uncover years of DIY (or even tradesman) bodges. Good luck!