| House Moving 13:06 - Oct 5 with 1148 views | MJallday |
HI All
For the first time in 21 years, im moving house.
This is a very new experience for me. - and frankly im a bit clueless about it all
as background - ive only every moved house twice in my life. Once to move from East Anglia to Gloucestershire when i was 16 (which was obviously my parents doing) , then in to my current house when i met wifey - so ive no idea really how it all happens in the modern world
Specifically - Has anyone got experiences with "new builds" - and Part Exchanges - and how it all goes? The timescales just seem really quick
We literally went to see it 3 weeks ago, by end of october it will actually be finished (it was 90% done) - so we got to it just in time to pick out the kitchen/floors etc.
however , the mortgage seems have been sorted out in a week, theyve given us what we want for our house - and now we're just waiting for some surveys - but they seem to think they can be done v. quickly. Allegedly im moving on 27th November - effectively thats <8 weeks
is that normal? i thought all these things take months?
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| House Moving on 13:14 - Oct 5 with 1095 views | The_Romford_Blue |
I’ve zero I can help with but I’d just like to say it’s taken til now for me to realise your username is MJ-all-day rather than Jallday being your surname and your first name starting with M.
Completely irrelevant information but I’ve amazed myself at such stupidity for so many years towards a forum legend |  |
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| House Moving on 13:15 - Oct 5 with 1090 views | Zx1988 |
Get a snagging survey done - and do it before exchange/completion.
The developer may try and fob you off, explaining that it's easier/better to do it once you're in and the place has settled, but if you've not exchanged then you hold all the cards to force them to fix the snags.
Recent changes in policy now mean that developers must allow access for a Pre-Completion Inspection prior to completion of the transaction. Use your own choice of firm - not whichever one the developer may recommend to you.
There is a good guide here:
https://www.nhqb.org.uk/wp-con |  |
| Not a prophet, or a stone-age man; just a mortal with potential of a superman. | | Poll: | Worst Ginger? |
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| House Moving on 13:17 - Oct 5 with 1059 views | Zx1988 |
| House Moving on 13:15 - Oct 5 by Zx1988 |
Get a snagging survey done - and do it before exchange/completion.
The developer may try and fob you off, explaining that it's easier/better to do it once you're in and the place has settled, but if you've not exchanged then you hold all the cards to force them to fix the snags.
Recent changes in policy now mean that developers must allow access for a Pre-Completion Inspection prior to completion of the transaction. Use your own choice of firm - not whichever one the developer may recommend to you.
There is a good guide here:
https://www.nhqb.org.uk/wp-con |
Also, pay MASSIVE attention to the garden, and specifically ask your snagging inspector to do the same.
Gardens can be absolutely terrible with new-builds - freshly-laid turf can mask a litany of issues. I've inspected some properties where my foot has sunk a good six inches into the bog beneath the turf. | |
| Not a prophet, or a stone-age man; just a mortal with potential of a superman. | | Poll: | Worst Ginger? |
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| House Moving on 13:19 - Oct 5 with 1039 views | MJallday |
| House Moving on 13:15 - Oct 5 by Zx1988 |
Get a snagging survey done - and do it before exchange/completion.
The developer may try and fob you off, explaining that it's easier/better to do it once you're in and the place has settled, but if you've not exchanged then you hold all the cards to force them to fix the snags.
Recent changes in policy now mean that developers must allow access for a Pre-Completion Inspection prior to completion of the transaction. Use your own choice of firm - not whichever one the developer may recommend to you.
There is a good guide here:
https://www.nhqb.org.uk/wp-con |
Funilly enough one of my work colleagues said exactly the same thing
apparently the way it works is
1 week before, they do a "walkaround" with us , to make sure we're happy
we move in
1 week after, they do a "in house" visit, and they ask if we've got anything we want to address. they then go away and do it
we have up to 2 years to "find things" - but ill take a look at that link - thank you. | |
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| House Moving on 13:26 - Oct 5 with 1002 views | Zx1988 |
| House Moving on 13:19 - Oct 5 by MJallday |
Funilly enough one of my work colleagues said exactly the same thing
apparently the way it works is
1 week before, they do a "walkaround" with us , to make sure we're happy
we move in
1 week after, they do a "in house" visit, and they ask if we've got anything we want to address. they then go away and do it
we have up to 2 years to "find things" - but ill take a look at that link - thank you. |
Certainly go with the professionals. When I do these I generally get given the keys, directed to the plot, and left to my own devices. A thorough snagging survey can take 4-6 hours, depending on the size of the property.
Not only will they be given the time to do a thorough inspection of the place (I dare say that the customer services rep who shows you around will be desperate to get back to the sales suite), but they'll have the in depth knowledge to know which of the apparently-trifling things that you may overlook are worthy of raising as snags.
Even something as low-key as paint overspill onto hinges and light switches is considered a snag, and should be rectified.
Here's the full approved checklist in case you're interested in just how granular it gets:
https://www.nhqb.org.uk/wp-con
Some of the dedicated snagging firms will get even more in depth than that. | |
| Not a prophet, or a stone-age man; just a mortal with potential of a superman. | | Poll: | Worst Ginger? |
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| House Moving on 13:30 - Oct 5 with 990 views | DJR |
If there are no other transactions involved, as is the case with a part exchange on a new build, it will be possible to accelerate things assuming the new property is complete or near to completion, not least because the same solicitors may well act for the builders on the purchase and sale.
It is more common on a new build not to have a fixed completion date to allow for all eventualities, and I suppose it is still possible in your case, but as you won't be out of your existing home until completion, this should not matter. [Post edited 5 Oct 13:32]
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| House Moving on 13:36 - Oct 5 with 943 views | _CliveBaker_ |
Never bought a new build so can't help on that front, but my advice when buying a house would be to get a good conveyancer, they're worth it. I had a bad experience in the past with one who made an unbelievable amount of mistakes, some small and sloppy to others that were very problematic. Resulted in me taking legal action against them after completion and certain issues came to the fore. Although they paid out a lot in damages that got me square financially, it took its toll mentally and isn't an experience I want to go through again. The idiot responsible lost her job over it and hasn't worked in the field since.
For the sake of a couple of grand I vowed to pay for quality last time I moved, and they were superb from start to finish. |  | | |
| House Moving on 13:38 - Oct 5 with 921 views | mutters |
The last house I sold took 6 weeks in total, from offe accepted to completion so it is possible. I was chain free, which meant I was very flexible and ready to go. Also they were keen to move in as they had to get kids registered for schools, which added to the urgency.
Get a good solicitor, I've used the same firm for all my moves/legal matters, who are Felixstowe based and I live in West Country! A good one will keep the ball rolling and deal with any issues. The holdups I have had over the years are always on the other side. |  |
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| House Moving on 13:40 - Oct 5 with 925 views | Zx1988 |
| House Moving on 13:36 - Oct 5 by _CliveBaker_ |
Never bought a new build so can't help on that front, but my advice when buying a house would be to get a good conveyancer, they're worth it. I had a bad experience in the past with one who made an unbelievable amount of mistakes, some small and sloppy to others that were very problematic. Resulted in me taking legal action against them after completion and certain issues came to the fore. Although they paid out a lot in damages that got me square financially, it took its toll mentally and isn't an experience I want to go through again. The idiot responsible lost her job over it and hasn't worked in the field since.
For the sake of a couple of grand I vowed to pay for quality last time I moved, and they were superb from start to finish. |
I'll second this and, above all, DO NOT use any conveyancer or any other professional recommended to you by the developer.
You need someone highly-rated and independent, who'll look after your best interests. Any professional recommended by the developer will most likely have a referral agreement in place, and will have one eye on keeping their key client (the developer, not you) happy. | |
| Not a prophet, or a stone-age man; just a mortal with potential of a superman. | | Poll: | Worst Ginger? |
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| House Moving on 13:41 - Oct 5 with 911 views | homer_123 |
My last move was done and dusted in just over 4 weeks. [Post edited 5 Oct 13:41]
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| House Moving on 13:44 - Oct 5 with 904 views | Guthrum |
As others have said, snagging!
New-builds can vary a lot in quality of finish. Things like have they bothered caulking the tops of the skirting boards, or is there a crack*? Same down the side of door frames. Fit of doors and windows (do they open and close properly)? Can be indicative of how much effort they've put into the rest of it.
Hope none of these are issues and the move goes well.
* Not so much an issue if woodwork is stained rather than painted. |  |
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| House Moving on 13:45 - Oct 5 with 899 views | tractorboy1978 |
| House Moving on 13:36 - Oct 5 by _CliveBaker_ |
Never bought a new build so can't help on that front, but my advice when buying a house would be to get a good conveyancer, they're worth it. I had a bad experience in the past with one who made an unbelievable amount of mistakes, some small and sloppy to others that were very problematic. Resulted in me taking legal action against them after completion and certain issues came to the fore. Although they paid out a lot in damages that got me square financially, it took its toll mentally and isn't an experience I want to go through again. The idiot responsible lost her job over it and hasn't worked in the field since.
For the sake of a couple of grand I vowed to pay for quality last time I moved, and they were superb from start to finish. |
Yep - 'you get what you pay for' in my experience. It's bloody annoying when you get a good conveyencer and the other party goes cheap and gets a dogsh!t one though. | | | |
| House Moving on 13:49 - Oct 5 with 871 views | Guthrum |
| House Moving on 13:17 - Oct 5 by Zx1988 |
Also, pay MASSIVE attention to the garden, and specifically ask your snagging inspector to do the same.
Gardens can be absolutely terrible with new-builds - freshly-laid turf can mask a litany of issues. I've inspected some properties where my foot has sunk a good six inches into the bog beneath the turf. |
Or you discover all the rubble and garbage has been buried in the garden and nothing will grow (perhaps the lawn goes suspiciously lumpy after a while). | |
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| House Moving on 13:53 - Oct 5 with 840 views | Zx1988 |
| House Moving on 13:49 - Oct 5 by Guthrum |
Or you discover all the rubble and garbage has been buried in the garden and nothing will grow (perhaps the lawn goes suspiciously lumpy after a while). |
Or just tossed into the inspection chambers, for that matter! | |
| Not a prophet, or a stone-age man; just a mortal with potential of a superman. | | Poll: | Worst Ginger? |
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| House Moving on 13:56 - Oct 5 with 827 views | tractorboy1978 |
| House Moving on 13:53 - Oct 5 by Zx1988 |
Or just tossed into the inspection chambers, for that matter! |
Or under the decking.
Some builders really are the pits. | | | |
| House Moving on 14:00 - Oct 5 with 808 views | _CliveBaker_ |
| House Moving on 13:45 - Oct 5 by tractorboy1978 |
Yep - 'you get what you pay for' in my experience. It's bloody annoying when you get a good conveyencer and the other party goes cheap and gets a dogsh!t one though. |
Yeah those chains are probably only as strong as its weakest link. I can deal with timing delays though, had one last time I moved (through nobody's fault really) but compared to the shit I went through for 12 months previously I'll take that as a win as long as everything is tickety-boo when it does complete. | | | |
| House Moving on 14:31 - Oct 5 with 710 views | MedwayTractor |
Some really good advice there. Bear in mind always that the developer/vendor isn't your friend, he just wants a deal as quick as possible without spending any more money.
I second the comments about the garden. The only new build I bought was in a small scheme built on what had been industrial storage yards. The builder simply covered the concrete yard with a few inches of soil and turf. I took me weeks of hard labour to dig it all out.
One detail, not mentioned above, which occurs to me. Get your surveyor to conduct a smoke test on the drains - this will find any leaks in the system. Although I've bought only one new house from a developer, some years later, I bought a plot and had a house built for me. The builder was good on the construction, but a poor businessman and his bank closed him down before he finished. I got the NHBC to finish most of the work, but towards the end, the builder was cutting corners and the NHBC found that he just pushed two soil pipes together instead of making a watertight joint. As it's underground, you can't find it otherwise. |  |
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| House Moving on 14:34 - Oct 5 with 689 views | Ryorry |
| House Moving on 13:44 - Oct 5 by Guthrum |
As others have said, snagging!
New-builds can vary a lot in quality of finish. Things like have they bothered caulking the tops of the skirting boards, or is there a crack*? Same down the side of door frames. Fit of doors and windows (do they open and close properly)? Can be indicative of how much effort they've put into the rest of it.
Hope none of these are issues and the move goes well.
* Not so much an issue if woodwork is stained rather than painted. |
* Is still a big issue when there are cracks/gaps between kitchen floor & lower units where food can fall into & never be retrieved from, unhygienic & causing long term smells! |  |
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| House Moving on 16:51 - Oct 5 with 428 views | MJallday |
thank you to everyone for the advice
we'll definately look into an independent checker - sounds like they could be worth their weight in gold (or at least fixes)
now to tell my neighbours we're not just selling the house, we've actually sold it. they are a pain in the **** so i must admit im rather looking forward to this one. | |
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| House Moving on 17:46 - Oct 5 with 359 views | EdwardStone |
| House Moving on 16:51 - Oct 5 by MJallday |
thank you to everyone for the advice
we'll definately look into an independent checker - sounds like they could be worth their weight in gold (or at least fixes)
now to tell my neighbours we're not just selling the house, we've actually sold it. they are a pain in the **** so i must admit im rather looking forward to this one. |
Is that still Neil from Travises?
That neighbour? |  | | |
| House Moving on 18:26 - Oct 5 with 305 views | Basuco |
| House Moving on 13:19 - Oct 5 by MJallday |
Funilly enough one of my work colleagues said exactly the same thing
apparently the way it works is
1 week before, they do a "walkaround" with us , to make sure we're happy
we move in
1 week after, they do a "in house" visit, and they ask if we've got anything we want to address. they then go away and do it
we have up to 2 years to "find things" - but ill take a look at that link - thank you. |
I have been told that some developers very very slow at resolving issues, and just try to "run the clock down" and not fix the problem, of course some are much better than others, but from what I have heard from colleagues, not completing until all are fixed sounds a very good way to proceed, even better to employ a pro to identify them. |  | | |
| House Moving on 19:41 - Oct 5 with 224 views | ronnyd |
| House Moving on 13:49 - Oct 5 by Guthrum |
Or you discover all the rubble and garbage has been buried in the garden and nothing will grow (perhaps the lawn goes suspiciously lumpy after a while). |
I bought my house on Moreton Hall "second hand" over forty years ago. Can't get a fork down any more than a couple inches in the rear garden due to the site cement mixer being located there for the duration of the phase being built.
That said, we both love it here and the lawn composition is interesting to say the least.  | | | |
| House Moving on 20:06 - Oct 5 with 199 views | Guthrum |
| House Moving on 19:41 - Oct 5 by ronnyd |
I bought my house on Moreton Hall "second hand" over forty years ago. Can't get a fork down any more than a couple inches in the rear garden due to the site cement mixer being located there for the duration of the phase being built.
That said, we both love it here and the lawn composition is interesting to say the least. |
Grew up in Exning, our house was on the corner by the turning place at the end of the road. The front garden was curiously higher than anyone else's and the builder apparently told the first owners not to dig there.
Mind you, decades later, when the field out the back was developed, they discovered half an Anglo-Saxon cemetery (the rest of it disappearing under the row of houses), so goodness knows what might actually be hidden there. | |
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| House Moving on 23:18 - Oct 5 with 74 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
New build you say, apparently in about 15 to 20 years all the plastic pipes built into the walls should start failing! |  |
| "They break our legs and tell us to be grateful when they offer us crutches." | | Poll: | What you watching. |
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| House Moving on 23:55 - Oct 5 with 47 views | Freddies_Ears |
| House Moving on 13:44 - Oct 5 by Guthrum |
As others have said, snagging!
New-builds can vary a lot in quality of finish. Things like have they bothered caulking the tops of the skirting boards, or is there a crack*? Same down the side of door frames. Fit of doors and windows (do they open and close properly)? Can be indicative of how much effort they've put into the rest of it.
Hope none of these are issues and the move goes well.
* Not so much an issue if woodwork is stained rather than painted. |
I moved into a new build 25 years ago, and we put a snagging list together immediately after moving in (though it took some months until it was complete).
We listed over 800 issues. Some as minor as incomplete paintwork, others as significant as kitchen needed retiling (we accepted it on their 4th attempt!). One outside wall under a gf window was rebuilt 3 times until we accepted it. Wiring was faulty. Plumbing leaked. Coving fell down. Patio doors had gaps you could see through. Window sills were uneven and were replaced. Some interior walls were rebuilt. A soakaway was missing outside (causing neighbours' houses to flood). Many, many, many other issues, some only obvious after some months had passed. To their credit, just, they did correct everything, over about 2 years. But we had to be utterly tenacious, used our solicitor, threatened them with local media exposure and with camping out outside group head office. [Post edited 5 Oct 23:56]
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