More disadvantages of new homes:-
Condensing boilers
From April 2005, all new homes built in Britain with gas-fired heating systems, were
required to have a condensing boiler. Whilst considered to offer better energy efficiency,
this type of boiler can be more prone to breakdown and replacement parts and repairs
can be very expensive. This type of boiler also has a working life of only 3 to 6
years.
Low grade land
Land for residential development is very expensive. Many of the larger developers
have strategic land banks - land that does not have planning permission but may do
so at a future date. This land is obviously far cheaper than land with outline planning
permission. The cost of the land for your new home can be as high as 35% of the total
price you pay. It therefore makes economic sense to purchase land as cheaply as possible.
This is done in several ways one of which is the brownfield site. This is a site
that was previously used for something else. The government is keen on the redevelopment
of brownfield sites and as a result, planning is sometimes a formality. However,
this land may have been anything from a waste landfill site to a chemical works,
scrap yard or bus depot. Developers are required to decontaminate the land prior
to building works starting, their specialist contractors removing all the contaminants
such as arsenic, cyanide and metals in the ground. However given an informed choice,
would it not be better to avoid these locations. Other land may be adjacent to a
railway line or major road or motorway. Although planners are now waking up to land
at risk of flooding some developments can still go ahead because they comply with
the additional requirements of the environment agency.
Water meters
All new homes have been fitted with water meters for some time. Depending on your
usage, this can be either a benefit or a burden. If you have a large family or use
a lot of water this might be something you may wish to consider.
Lack of Character
Most new homes are constructed using modern, and in some cases, recycled materials.
The few places you are likely to find actual wood in a newly-built home is in the
roof (trusses) and on the staircase (newels, handrails, spindles and strings). Nowadays
new homes are built using MDF (staircase treads, skirting boards, architraves, door
linings, window boards, kitchen units); chipboard (flooring, kitchen units, doors)
and upvc (windows, fascias etc) Whilst not in itself a distinct disadvantage, many
would consider this contributes to a lack of character in a new house. The modern
design of new homes can lack the character that older properties have.
Postal Problems
Nearly three quarters of residents of new homes experience difficulties arranging
deliveries after moving to a new home due to out of date records and incorrect postcodes
according to a report by the Royal Mail. Of the problems encountered, 74% had difficulty
ordering goods, 51% had problems with utilities, 34% has problems arranging buildings
and contents insurance and 17% of people were still experiencing some problems six
months after moving into their new home.