Are new-build homes boring? Debunking the myth
Why have new builds got such a bad rap? We think it’s undeserved, and if you keep reading, you will too. The key issue is that new builds aren’t always understood and therefore judgement is cast on them for being of poor quality, too uniformed or lacking space.
The myth of poor quality
Is older actually better? One of the main pieces of fake news thrown at new-build homes is that they’re of poor quality, or at least worse quality than traditional houses because people believe that builders cut corners. This simply isn’t true.
Builders and developers have a responsibility to stay up to date with the latest regulations and standards to ensure that every home they construct is safe, accessible, and energy efficient. New-builds are made following these strict building regulations – detailed in the Building Safety Act – that have become increasingly stringent as the industry evolves.
Sites are routinely inspected by a Building Safety Regulator and if anything falls short of the regulations, a compliance notice is issued which usually requires non-compliant work to be fixed by a certain date. In more severe cases, a stop notice is issued, which requires all work to immediately cease until the issues are addressed. Failure to comply with these notices is a criminal offence, with a maximum penalty of two years in prison and an unlimited fine.
So, it’s safe to assume builders aren’t cutting corners, as – aside from taking pride in their work – the cost of not complying with regulations is just too high.
New-build development: Lion Crescent, Ealing
Let’s bust the myth with this beautifully modern, two bedroom apartment in Lion Crescent, Ealing, by PA Housing. This London new-build home boasts top-of-the-range amenities, such as an integrated Zanussi fridge/freezer, Zanussi washer/dryer, and Zanussi oven, hob, and extractor fan. The kitchen itself is made of top-quality materials too, using renowned joinery company, Howdens Joinery, for its surfaces and furnishings. In the bathrooms, chrome fixtures and fittings have been used for their durability, sleek and shiny exterior, and resistance to rusting.
The myth of uniformity
Another common perception of new builds is that they lack character and look too similar, following an oversimplified and uniformed design. The reality is that even historic houses can look the same. Think about suburban Manchester, or London’s East End, or even central Edinburgh, there is a uniformity with these buildings even though they were constructed a long – and in Edinburgh’s case, a very long – time ago.
Houses are built using a repeatable structure as it enables them to consistently keep up with the needs of an expanding population. They also need to adhere to the same national and local regulations and requirements for safety, sustainability, and energy efficiency. A freshly designed new home each time isn’t plausible for project duration or specificity of materials.
Sustainable and green living
As a result of modern building techniques and technologies, new builds are far more energy efficient than traditional homes. This is due to them having better insulation, double and sometimes triple glazing, and, in some cases, underfloor heating.
After being constructed, the appliances they contain such as the dishwasher or boiler are newer, and therefore more efficient, too. This will not only save you money on your energy bill but also have a reduced impact on the planet.
According to the Home Builders Federation, the average new-build home uses 57% less energy, which can slash energy bills by up to £183 per month – this equates to an annual saving of almost £2,200. 85% of new builds have an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of A or B, while less than 5% of older properties attain an A or B EPC. Finally, new-build properties emit 61% less carbon each year than traditional homes.
So, are new-builds boring? We don’t think so!
Find your new-build home
New-builds are filled with benefits that will improve your quality of life, and they might be more affordable than you think. At Share to Buy, you can take advantage of home-buying schemes like Shared Ownership to land the home of your dreams. Just head over to our property portal to start searching for the right home for you.