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House Builders Putting Quantity Ahead of Quality

It has been well documented of late that house builders have been accused of emphasizing a focus more on quantity rather than quality. Upon recent surveys that MDR Home Inspections have conducted, it is clear to see that the number of new home snagging defects is on the rise, which is creating an un-easy atmosphere between the purchaser and the developer and a growing number of complaints from customers. A recent survey by the Home Builders Federation discloses 98 per cent of customers have reported new home snagging defects to their homes from moving in a year ago, a figure up some 93 per cent. But why is this trend worsening? Having recently been to some National House Builders Sites, the feedback we have been receiving is frightening. It has become clear some companies now are completing purchasers without doing an official Home demonstration until they have moved in, or even conducting a home demonstration without giving the customer the opportunity to complete new home snagging b
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Why is New Home Snagging becoming a ' Must '

In the current climate the UK is currently delivering between 150-170,000 new homes a year. In line with Government targets this will be well short. The reason for this is a lack of skilled tradesmen within the industry. In 2005, the average number of new build snags was 62, an increase of 18%. Warranty providers like the NHBC made over one million inspections last year whereby 70% of complaints received were found in favour of the homeowner. It can be said that there are a number of significant factors for this; Build Times Lack of Warranty Inspections Lack of Quality Control procedure from Developers Complexity of Build New Build Snagging can be described as a process for checking for faults and correcting these prior to a new home inspection taking place by the customer. It can be contentious in the eyes of both the Developer and the customer as this can be a subjective assessment of what is acceptable or not in the eyes of both parties, but the reasoning for this is lis
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How to fix problems in a new build Home

New homes hold the promise of worry free home ownership. Unfortunately that's not always how it turns out. Problems in a new build home Since 2005, on the instigation of the government, the House builders Federation and NHBC have commissioned an annual survey on satisfaction with new homes. In 2015, it was reported that 86% of buyers were satisfied overall with their new home. Less flattering is that 27% of buyers said their new home had more problems than they had been expecting. The survey also revealed that 35% said they had reported more than 16 problems in a new build home. Many buyers realise only too late that while a property is likely to be the most expensive thing they ever buy, it is one of the least protected by consumer law. With most goods, you have the right to reject them and demand your money back if they fail to live up to expectations. Property however is exempt from the sale and supply of goods act with the result home buyers are stuck with faulty propert
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Do I need a snagging list for My New Home?

Do I need a snagging list for my new build home? If you spot any defects in your new build home, its up to you to report them to your house builder. ' It is your house builders responsibility to check and fix any cosmetic defects before you complete on the sale but it is unlikely they are going to pick up on everything' Looking for a home in mint condition?you might think buying a new build is the answer, but new does not necessarily mean flawless. New built properties are known for minor defects or 'snags' caused by poor workmanship or equipment. If you spot any defects in your home, it is up to you to itemise and report them to your house builder. Its also a good thing to do if you are hiring tradesmen to renovate your property. You can put together your own list or hire a company to do it for you. Here's what you need to know; What is a snag? A snag is a small defect or problem that remains in your property after the building work has been complete
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How to choose a Snagging Company You should Choose a company by looking at their customer reviews on a couple of review sites and then their prices as well as quizzing them about their experience and knowledge in the building trade. Request to see a previous or sample inspections report and find out what is included in their price. Mike from MDR Home Inspections advises you to ask what they will do after the report, whether they will help fight the Housebuilder. MDR Home Inspections project manage lists on quest from the purchasers. It is well worth trying to meet the snagger before they start the inspection so you can talk over any concerns you may have.Also, try to gauge how they will approach the survey to see if it matches your expectations. Sometimes a company can go overboard with checking too much and not looking at the fundamentals which should be the structure itself first. Michael's advise Tip; when looking at snagging companies, get quotes from three different c
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Show Homes

Show Homes - Know what is and is not included It is now very common for house builders to present their developments using show homes to sell homes off -plan. However, this can be mis-leading knowing what is/ is not included within the specification. The guide below highlights some tricks used to sell homes off plan allowing you to make informed decisions about the purchase. Developers can spend thousands of pounds on show homes employing specialist services, for example, interior designers and landscapers. Below are some tactics to be aware of; All lights will be on to create the impression of natural light. Internal Doors will always be open to create larger open spaces. Wall colours - Light colours can make a room feel and look bigger. Glass Mirrors and furniture - These will provide a feeling of a greater floor space. Bedrooms may only have a bed and side table or chester draws. Wardrobes may be missing to give more room. Fixtures and fittings will be to the upgraded s
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New Home Advantages

New Home Advanages 10 Year Warranties -  All new homes come with a 10 year warranty, provided by the likes of LABC, NHBC, Checkmate, Zurich, Premier. The warranty is an umbrella to support your case in the event of a resolution. It doesn't guarantee your home will  be snag free. They can be seen as an insurance for the developer and not the home owner but ultimately you will always be provided with a practical completion note or warranty. Energy Efficient -  New homes today are thermally very efficient and are up to date using the very latest building products and materials. This is reflected in your energy performance certificate which has an energy rating performed on the new home. Items like double glazing and efficient boilers help maintain house efficiency. The use of low carbon energy light bulbs further enhance this. Be sure that halogen and tungsten bulbs are NOT used. These use a lot of energy resulting in higher energy costs. Security -  New homes are well
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