What to Look for When Viewing a New Build Home: UK Buyer's Guide

Viewing a new build is different from viewing an older property. Everything may look clean, modern and untouched, but that does not mean every new home, plot or development will be equally suitable.

Knowing what to look for when viewing a new build can help you compare homes more objectively, identify questions to ask the sales team and avoid being distracted by show-home styling.

From the housebuilder and specification to room sizes, parking and potential snagging issues, here is what UK buyers should check.

Research the new build developer before your viewing

Before visiting the development, research the housebuilder rather than judging the property purely on the show home.

Different developers can vary in customer satisfaction, build quality, aftercare and the types of homes they offer. New Build Rankings allows buyers to compare UK new build developers using available HBF customer satisfaction data and consumer review information.

If you are considering several developments, look at individual developer profiles too. For example, you can compare information for Bloor Homes, Bellway, Cala Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon.

Do this before reserving, not afterwards. A well-presented development can make a strong first impression, but the developer's wider reputation should form part of your decision.

Look beyond the new build show home

A show home is designed to demonstrate the development at its best. The furniture, lighting, flooring and optional extras can make rooms appear very different from the standard property you will actually receive.

Check what is included as standard

Ask the sales adviser for the specification of the exact house type and plot you are considering.

Confirm whether the advertised price includes:

• Flooring and carpets
• Kitchen appliances
• Integrated wardrobes
• Upgraded kitchen units or worktops
• Bathroom upgrades
• Downlights and additional electrical points
• Turf and landscaping
• Fencing
• Outside taps
• Electric vehicle charging
• Garage power and lighting

If something in the show home is an upgrade, find out the additional cost.

This is particularly important when comparing prices between housebuilders. A cheaper new build may become considerably more expensive once the specification you actually want is added.

Check the position of the plot

When viewing a new build development, the individual plot can be just as important as the house design.

Ask to see the full development plan and locate your potential home on it.

Consider:

• Which direction does the garden face?
• What will be directly behind the property?
• Does the plot face a road, parking area or open space?
• Are there neighbouring windows overlooking the garden?
• Is the property close to a children's play area?
• Are there visitor parking spaces nearby?
• Is the plot beside a bin store, pumping station or substation?
• Will further phases of the development be built nearby?

If possible, visit the plot itself rather than relying entirely on plans.

A home that looks ideal on a floor plan can feel very different once you understand its relationship with neighbouring properties, roads and future construction.

Check whether the layout works in real life

New build floor plans can be efficient, so pay attention to usable space rather than simply looking at the total number of bedrooms.

Imagine your own furniture in each room.

Check whether there is enough space for your sofa, dining table, bed, wardrobes and home-working setup. Look at where radiators, doors, windows and sockets are positioned because these can restrict where furniture can realistically go.

Pay particular attention to storage. Check for cupboards, loft access, utility space, wardrobes and somewhere practical for everyday items such as coats, shoes, vacuum cleaners and cleaning equipment.

Look at natural light

Consider the orientation of the property and the position of its windows.

A beautifully lit show home using multiple lamps may feel different in normal daylight. If you can, view at the time of day when you are most likely to use the main living spaces.

Look closely at the quality of the finish

If you are viewing a completed or nearly completed new build, do not be afraid to inspect it closely.

Look at:

• Paintwork and plaster finishes
• Skirting boards and architraves
• Internal doors and handles
• Windows and seals
• Kitchen cupboard alignment
• Worktop joins
• Bathroom sealant and grout
• Flooring
• Stairs and handrails
• External brickwork
• Guttering and drainage
• Garden levels and boundaries

You are not necessarily carrying out a formal snagging inspection at this stage. The aim is to get an indication of the level of care taken with the finished property.

If several completed homes are available, ask whether you can see a standard finished property rather than only the professionally dressed show home.

Ask about snagging and the pre-completion inspection

Snagging is one of the most important subjects to understand when buying a new build home.

Ask the developer how defects are reported, who manages repairs after completion and what timescales they normally work to.

For developers operating under the New Homes Quality Code, buyers must be given the opportunity to carry out a pre-completion inspection themselves or appoint a suitably qualified inspector. The Code also provides a standard inspection checklist.

A professional snagging inspection can provide a more detailed assessment than a normal viewing, particularly if you are unfamiliar with construction standards.

Find out what is still being built

Many new build buyers move into a development long before the final phase is complete.

Ask how many homes are planned, which phases remain and approximately where future construction will take place.

You should also understand what is proposed for surrounding land. Areas currently shown as open land may form part of later phases.

Check the plans for roads, footpaths, green spaces, play areas and other infrastructure rather than assuming the development will remain exactly as it appears on the day of your viewing.

Ask about estate management charges

Some new build developments have communal areas or infrastructure maintained by a management company.

Ask whether your property will have an estate management charge and, if so, what it currently costs and what it covers.

If you are viewing a new build flat, also ask about the service charge, building insurance arrangements and responsibility for maintaining communal areas.

Your solicitor should review the legal details before you exchange contracts, but understanding the likely ongoing costs early makes it easier to compare different developments.

Check parking, broadband and everyday practicalities

Small practical details can have a significant effect on how you experience the home.

Confirm exactly which parking spaces belong to the property and whether they are allocated, on the driveway or inside a garage.

Ask about broadband availability rather than assuming a new development automatically has the connection you expect.

You should also check bin storage, cycle storage, external lighting, electric vehicle charging and access to the rear garden.

Then consider the wider location. Try the journey to work, look at nearby shops and services and visit the development at a busier time of day to understand traffic and noise.

Compare the housebuilder as well as the house

Finding the right property is only part of choosing a new build. You are also choosing the company responsible for building the home and providing support after completion.

Rather than relying on one review or star rating, look at several sources and understand what each measurement represents.

New Build Rankings separates official HBF customer satisfaction rankings from consumer review rankings rather than combining different rating systems into a single score. You can read more about how new build developers are ranked or explore the latest UK housebuilder rankings.

Questions to ask when viewing a new build

Before leaving the development, make sure you can answer the following:

• What exactly is included in the purchase price?
• Which features in the show home are upgrades?
• Can I view the actual plot?
• What will be built around the property?
• How many phases remain?
• What warranty covers the home?
• What is the developer's snagging process?
• Are there estate management or service charges?
• Which parking spaces belong to the property?
• What broadband connection is available?
• When is the expected completion date?
• Can I arrange a pre-completion inspection?

Taking notes and photographs where permitted can make it much easier to compare several developments afterwards.

Take your time when comparing new build homes

The best new build home is not necessarily the one with the most impressive show home.

Look carefully at the specification, plot, layout, finish, ongoing costs and surrounding development. Just as importantly, research the housebuilder responsible for delivering the property.

Doing your research before reserving gives you a clearer picture of what you are buying and makes it easier to compare new build homes on more than appearance alone.

Start by browsing the UK new build developer directory to compare housebuilders before arranging your next viewing.