Your new build home checklist: Everything to know

Whether you’re looking to buy your first home or are thinking of upgrading from your current property, new builds are rapidly becoming the choice for budding homeowners. There are countless advantages that come with new homes from energy efficiency to low maintenance.

However, like with any home, it’s important to check a few things first to ensure the buying and moving-in processes go smoothly. In this guide, we provide our new build home checklist to make your experience much easier.

Research the development

When investing in a new build property in your chosen location, you have two choices: to buy off-plan or purchase a completed property. With an off-plan, you’ll have the option to look at similar properties and often be able to make changes to certain features like the flooring and fixtures.

With this option, you must do the necessary research to ensure the property is right for you and that the developers are trustworthy. You can easily do this by looking at reviews online or by checking the developer’s qualifications and accreditations with the relevant trade associations and awarding bodies.

It’s also a good idea to ask for short stop dates and long stop dates when buying off-plan. The former will tell you when the developer plans to finish the building and the latter is when they must have finalised everything. As a precaution, assume the long stop date will be the time you’re able to move in.

Ask for a handover

Before moving into your brand-new property, arrange a demonstration or handover. During this, the housebuilder will take you through everything in the property, covering how to use appliances, the locations of fire and smoke alarms, where the stopcock is located, etc.

Use this time as an opportunity to look over the property, making sure everything appears as agreed. Check every appliance works properly, cupboards and drawers open and close correctly, and that the finish on the floor and wall tiling looks immaculate. And don’t forget to check whether insulation has been fitted in the loft.

If you have any concerns, take pictures and notes and report them to your developer. Put these concerns in writing and send directly to the builder instead of expressing your concerns in person. That way you’ll likely have the issues fixed upon moving in.

Arrange a snagging survey

Before exchanging contracts with the developer and moving in, make sure to get a snagging survey completed by a professional. The surveyor will highlight any defects or problems with the property so that these can be rectified prior to you moving in.

Ideally, this would be done before completion but some developers will ask for inspections to be arranged for after work has been finished. Aim to get this booked in as soon as possible – after you’ve moved in at the latest. Do note, however, that you have two years after completion to organise a snagging survey.If you do notice any further issues after moving in, don’t worry, your new build home warranty should cover you if the homebuilder fails to remedy the concerns within the first two years. After this, it is only structural issues that are normally covered by the warranty.