Do I need a survey on a new build?
Getting a house survey on a new build could be a very wise choice, although it’s not a legal requirement. The quality of the build varies greatly depending on who has done it and how quickly they’ve done it – an issue we’ll cover in more detail. So, let’s delve into why you might consider getting a survey on a new build…
The problem with new builds
You may well be expecting your shiny new house to be absolutely flawless but unfortunately, this is all too often not the case.
Human error can creep in when a house is being constructed because tradespeople are working to a tight deadline, meaning things can get rushed. The housing shortage in Britain has put more pressure on contractors to get the job done quickly which can result in more defects. The supply of quality building materials being acquired on time can be another influence on the quality of the build itself.
A further issue facing the industry is the shortage of qualified and skilled people to do the job right. The fact that builders don’t even need a license could mean inexperienced and underqualified people have laid the foundations of your house and built everything upon that. That being said though, any new build must comply with the building regulations and a survey will check for that.
“In research by Shelter and YouGov, half (51%) of new homeowners say they have experienced major problems with their properties including issues with construction, unfinished fittings and faults with utilities.” – Shelter
To make things worse, many new build homeowners struggle with resolution when they report their concerns to the builders. Hindsight is wonderful and all…
High-profile cases
The quality of new builds is now receiving political attention, especially after the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. The reason this fire spread so quickly was because of flammable materials being used on the exterior walls. This has influenced policies with regard to new builds and all must now comply with them.
Another disaster was when four blocks of flats were ordered to be demolished just six years after construction. People had to leave their new homes due to water damage to the timber framework as a result of flooding in the basement car park. Cockroaches were entering the flats too after the flooding event.
What might a survey pick up on on a new build?
Now that we know there could be potential problems with your new build, what exactly should we look out for? Here’s just a handful of things that could be picked up on during a survey:
- Cosmetic issues like stains on carpets and marks on walls
- Condensation forming because the house hasn’t been insulated properly
- Badly done brickwork
- Poor installations of kitchen and bathroom units
- Badly fitted doors – maybe they don’t close properly or are difficult to open
- Risk of flooding – something that may not have been taken into account during construction
- Bad plumbing
You should get a 10-year warranty with any new build through the National House Building Council but you may want to get things checked over by a professional before you move in anyway. A ‘Snagging Survey’ can be good to spot any shoddy workmanship but a more in-depth home survey can grant you greater peace of mind.
The Level 2 Home Survey is the most popular choice out of all the surveys and is often selected for new builds because it goes into more detail than a Snagging Survey. If you are buying an older or more complex house you should go for a Level 3 Building Survey.
In addition to a survey, it may be worth getting a property valuation on a new build, especially if you’re on a Help to Buy scheme or shared ownership.
Key takeaways
- It’s important to understand new builds are not without their issues and you should be aware of this when considering buying one.
- Remember there is that safety net with the NHBC warranty, should you find any defects (as long as they’re covered) and make sure you see this warranty before signing any papers!
- Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you choose to get a new build surveyed as you are not under any legal obligation to do so but it could prevent a lot of tears further down the line.
Whatever you decide regarding a survey, if your new home is being mortgaged, a mortgage valuation is something you’ll definitely require.
Photo credits: header image by James Feaver, building demolition by Ruslan Khadyev, man measuring beams by Callum Hill, door by Phil, all on Unsplash.