Housebuiders, which are the best and worst?
Discussion
I've started to look at moving recently, which inevitably leads to comparing what is available as a new build compared to an existing development. There is a lot of building going on locally at the moment, so there is a choice of at least half a dozen builders if you go new.
Which builders are the best and worst in terms of development layout, design, materials, build quality and so on? From what I've seen all the estates seem barely distinguishable in layout (and not especially appealing, but perhaps that's another thread...). Are there any standout options or ones not to touch with someone elses bargepole?
Which builders are the best and worst in terms of development layout, design, materials, build quality and so on? From what I've seen all the estates seem barely distinguishable in layout (and not especially appealing, but perhaps that's another thread...). Are there any standout options or ones not to touch with someone elses bargepole?
Johnnytheboy said:
I read an interview with one of them some years ago in which they admitted that housebuilders have no likelihood of generating repeat business, so have no motivation to trade on quality rather than price.
Wasn’t the case a few years ago. At Charles Church we used to get quite a bit of repeat business. To the Op, I currently rate Spitfire and Newland. BLOOR can be ok. The big volume boys vary by region or by site
Edited by blueg33 on Sunday 7th July 21:12
blueg33 said:
Wasn’t the case a few years ago. At Charles Church we used to get quite a bit of repeat business.
To the Op, I currently rate Spitfire and Newland. BLOOR can be ok. The big volume boys vary by region.
Definitely looks like you pay for the Spitfire and Newland though!To the Op, I currently rate Spitfire and Newland. BLOOR can be ok. The big volume boys vary by region.
Bloor are building locally, the floorplans look ok but I'm still not especially inspired by the development. Although when you say "they can be ok" it sounds like you are damning them with faint praise...
blueg33 said:
Johnnytheboy said:
I read an interview with one of them some years ago in which they admitted that housebuilders have no likelihood of generating repeat business, so have no motivation to trade on quality rather than price.
Wasn’t the case a few years ago. At Charles Church we used to get quite a bit of repeat business. Not only is there repeat business from 'private' customers, but there can be very substantial repeat business from BTL investors, who have a definite business motivation to avoid builders who leave them with defects to sort and poor aftersales care.
There is also the issue that many sales rely on word of mouth (or word of social media these days), so that sort of cavalier attitude to maintaining your reputation will see you go bankrupt very quickly indeed.
Probably easiest to research a builder if you find a development that you like. The problem is that even one region of a house builder can have one really crap site and then another brilliant site. There're so many variables (what the planners want, the site manager, is it half/end year, are they building something out of norm, are there decent trades or ground workers on it etc etc).
Where are you buying?
Give us a list of who’s building,
Avant are easily the top dog, stunning houses and finish, as are strata homes if they are building near you.
Of the big Boys, I would rate it
Taylor wimpey
bellway (chrest Nicholson I think are the same)
barrat / David Wilson Home’s
Persimmon/Charles church - you won’t get a fence, a doorbell, a outside light etc with these guys.
When you go, especially with Taylor wimpey you can haggle, we had £5k worth of extras for stuff like integrated appliances etc
Don’t expect flooring, turf, fences on a lot of them, half or full height tiles, intergrated applices etc
Give us a list of who’s building,
Avant are easily the top dog, stunning houses and finish, as are strata homes if they are building near you.
Of the big Boys, I would rate it
Taylor wimpey
bellway (chrest Nicholson I think are the same)
barrat / David Wilson Home’s
Persimmon/Charles church - you won’t get a fence, a doorbell, a outside light etc with these guys.
When you go, especially with Taylor wimpey you can haggle, we had £5k worth of extras for stuff like integrated appliances etc
Don’t expect flooring, turf, fences on a lot of them, half or full height tiles, intergrated applices etc
AlmostUseful said:
I work with a lot of developers, I’d echo blueg33 and suggest Bloor and spitfire are worth looking into. Crest Nicholson also put a lot of effort in to make a good product.
How old are you? Blue Cedar do a lovely retirement product.
Not quite ready for that yet! Looking at 3/4 bed stuff with PH friendly parking / garage arrangements, which seems a near impossibility on a reasonably price new build. There is a bit more choice on early 90's developments. The best options seem to be the 60s/70s stuff but these are few and far between.How old are you? Blue Cedar do a lovely retirement product.
Equus said:
blueg33 said:
Johnnytheboy said:
I read an interview with one of them some years ago in which they admitted that housebuilders have no likelihood of generating repeat business, so have no motivation to trade on quality rather than price.
Wasn’t the case a few years ago. At Charles Church we used to get quite a bit of repeat business. Not only is there repeat business from 'private' customers, but there can be very substantial repeat business from BTL investors, who have a definite business motivation to avoid builders who leave them with defects to sort and poor aftersales care.
There is also the issue that many sales rely on word of mouth (or word of social media these days), so that sort of cavalier attitude to maintaining your reputation will see you go bankrupt very quickly indeed.
From what I've seen it will vary from region to region, development to development. Never bought a new build but used to work for one of the big boys.
Nickbrapp said:
Where are you buying?
Give us a list of who’s building,
Avant are easily the top dog, stunning houses and finish, as are strata homes if they are building near you.
Of the big Boys, I would rate it
Taylor wimpey
bellway (chrest Nicholson I think are the same)
barrat / David Wilson Home’s
Persimmon/Charles church - you won’t get a fence, a doorbell, a outside light etc with these guys.
When you go, especially with Taylor wimpey you can haggle, we had £5k worth of extras for stuff like integrated appliances etc
Don’t expect flooring, turf, fences on a lot of them, half or full height tiles, intergrated applices etc
I'm looking at Banbury/Brackley/Bicester area, but mainly around Banbury. From memory there are Barrett, Bloor, Miller, Persimmon and Cala building, but I could have easily missed some.Give us a list of who’s building,
Avant are easily the top dog, stunning houses and finish, as are strata homes if they are building near you.
Of the big Boys, I would rate it
Taylor wimpey
bellway (chrest Nicholson I think are the same)
barrat / David Wilson Home’s
Persimmon/Charles church - you won’t get a fence, a doorbell, a outside light etc with these guys.
When you go, especially with Taylor wimpey you can haggle, we had £5k worth of extras for stuff like integrated appliances etc
Don’t expect flooring, turf, fences on a lot of them, half or full height tiles, intergrated applices etc
I'm not particularly after a new place, but there are so many available at the moment given the volume of building going on they come up frequently on my searches - I'm sure there are deals to be had!
Alex Z said:
Redrow seem to put a lot more effort into the design than most and build quality looks good.
I wouldn’t touch a Persimmon home based on a friend’s experience. His house had major faults as did most of his neighbours.
Oh yes I totally forgot redrow, they have a very good spec and the houses are usually pretty big, they have a nice really modern design and then another ones which are more classic lookingI wouldn’t touch a Persimmon home based on a friend’s experience. His house had major faults as did most of his neighbours.
From your list, Cala homes are supposed to be good, as are bloor
egomeister said:
I'm looking at Banbury/Brackley/Bicester area, but mainly around Banbury. From memory there are Barrett, Bloor, Miller, Persimmon and Cala building, but I could have easily missed some.
I'm not particularly after a new place, but there are so many available at the moment given the volume of building going on they come up frequently on my searches - I'm sure there are deals to be had!
Bloor, Cala, Miller in that order although I am unsure of Miller as they have changed owership since I was on the Board. During my time at Miller we we consistently in the top 5% on quality measured independently, (it was bloody hard work to get there).I'm not particularly after a new place, but there are so many available at the moment given the volume of building going on they come up frequently on my searches - I'm sure there are deals to be had!
Persimmon always used to be built down to a price, when they took over Charles Church my first job was to brief an archtitect to make their volume product look like a Charles Church house on the outside. It was just badge engineering.
Cala have historically had a good spec. I know Adrian Bloor and his ethos is quality. I rate Bloor homes although I think that their elevations are pretty average.
Nickbrapp said:
Alex Z said:
Redrow seem to put a lot more effort into the design than most and build quality looks good.
I wouldn’t touch a Persimmon home based on a friend’s experience. His house had major faults as did most of his neighbours.
Oh yes I totally forgot redrow, they have a very good spec and the houses are usually pretty big, they have a nice really modern design and then another ones which are more classic lookingI wouldn’t touch a Persimmon home based on a friend’s experience. His house had major faults as did most of his neighbours.
From your list, Cala homes are supposed to be good, as are bloor
The redrow is the best - they build higher ceilings than any other new build I’ve seen which helps them feel light and airy. My estate is really nicely designed, tree lined avenues and plenty of green space. Unlike most new builds I’ve got a large garden, driveway for 4 cars and a garage. Had no major snags when I moved in.
Bovis was also pretty good - was end of terrace but couldn’t hear my neighbours at all. More snagging issues than redrow though.
Bloor was the worst. Dire customer service, shocking build quality. Mid terrace property - you could hear the neighbours talking through the wall, people pissing in the loo, crying babies... the lot. Wouldn’t touch with a barge pole!
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