- 26% of new build owners find 16+ problems within 8 weeks of moving in.
- These homebuyers pay an average of £3,376 on fixing their new build homes within 8 weeks.
- 94% of new build buyers reported defects or problems within eight weeks.
- 2.31% fewer first-time buyers are purchasing new builds.
94% of new build homeowners find a problem with their property within the first 8 weeks, (Home Builders Federation). This can range from cosmetic defects such as poor-quality plastering to structural issues like uneven floorboards. Below is a list of the most common problems found in new build properties;
- Poor Brickwork Pointing
- Misaligned or Poorly Fitted Doors
- Poor Plastering and Paintwork
- Leaky Pipes
- Blocked or Poorly Installed Guttering
- Front Doors Not Closing Properly
- Missing or Damaged Roof Tiles
- Radiators Not Level
- Faulty Electrical Outlets or Wiring
- Inadequate Ventilation
- Uneven Flooring
- Kitchen Units Not Level
When researching the most common snags seen in new builds, Compare My Move found that the average repair cost per snag is £211. Some larger snags, such as rectifying uneven flooring, can cost even more, at up to £600 per room.
More than a quarter of Brits (26%) report finding over 16 problems with their new build home within just 8 weeks of purchase. As a result, more than a quarter of new build buyers will pay around £2,528 in repair costs. Dave Sayce, founder of Compare My Move, comments:
“Only 6% of new build homes don’t have any problems, and only a third of new builds come with under 5 problems. This means that if you aren’t prepared, you could be set back thousands before you’ve even settled in. My advice would be to get a snagging survey before purchase, as they only cost around £377 and could save you thousands by negotiating the cost of the problems from the house price.”
Impact on First-Time Buyers
A recent Compare My Move report found that there has been a 2.31% drop in first-time buyers buying new builds from 2022. That’s equivalent to 23 fewer first-time buyers for every 1,000 new-build sales. This is despite the percentage of people purchasing new builds remaining steady from 2022, rising 0.06%. Dave Sayce comments:
“Building new homes was always supposed to be a gateway onto the property ladder. But now, they’re becoming financially unviable. The average house price in the UK is £269,000, but the average new build costs over £150,000 more than that. And that’s without all factoring in all of the building problems that you’re likely to encounter.”
