The promise of newly built property, with all mod-cons and lower maintenance commitments, is enough to seduce many property buyers to put down a healthy deposit – sometimes before construction has even taken place.
But new builds aren’t flawless. Fast turnover and low budgets can mean cutting corners, while sometimes just plain shoddy workmanship is to blame.
“Some of these problems are fundamental—you would not expect new roofs to be leaking or a recently constructed building to have exterior deficiencies,” Peter Varsalona, a professional engineer at RAND Engineering & Architecture, tells BrickUnderground. “A lot of it is quality control—maybe the developers didn’t want to spend extensive money on inspections, or a contractor was not paid, or they were racing to complete these projects as soon as possible because they’ve got to sell them. By the time we’re called in, it’s too late.”
If you are considering purchasing a newly built home, commercial property or buy-to-let, watch out for these 7 common construction defects to avoid problems down the line.
- Exterior leaks
Roofing and exterior insulation are particularly prone to leaking, and unfortunately are the most expensive to fix. Find out about a warranty from the homebuilder - Windows
Faulty locks, windows which failure to open or drafts around badly fitted panes of glass can all cause security and safety problems - Wooden floors
If installed badly, trendy wooden floors can become warped or have gaps between planks, while undiscovered leaks can cause cupping - Fireproofing
Caulking around piping is designed to stop fires spreading, so make sure none is missing - Bad ventilation
Inadequate fans in bathrooms or kitchens can cause humidity, damp, mildew and mould - Heating and cooling
Owners of flats or offices with combined climate control often complain of poor heat and air conditioning. Look into the heating system before you buy. - Substitutions
Make sure you get the tiles, counter tops and carpets you expect, as providers are often allowed to make substitutions to finishes which they claim are the same value as the ones you saw in the showroom, but might not be.
SIB’s property specialists can help ease maintenance problems with an accurate buildings insurance policy. Call us on 0113 2500377.