New build homes have never been an easier sell, and yet the industry continues to battle an image problem. Now developers have a new power tool for their marketing departments: fresh research has revealed that buyers could save up to 50k when they move into a new build instead of opting for an existing property.
New research carried out by the Home Builders Federation has found that the cost of upgrading an older property to the same standard as a new build home could be as much as £50,000.
The publication of the data comes at the launch of this year’s New Homes Week which aims to highlight the many benefits for consumers of buying a new build home.
From the benefits of living in an energy efficient home that could save a buyer hundreds of pounds on utility bills each year, to the brand-new fixtures and fittings that come as standard, buying a new build home offers many advantages which simply aren’t being communicated to buyers.
The research looked at the work that might have to be carried out when people move into an older home, and what would have to be done to a home to bring it up to the standards of a new property which also comes with a warranty protecting the buyer from liability on structural problems within the first 10 years. Whether it’s the price of buying and fitting a new kitchen (£7,900) or having a house rewired (£8,850), the costs for people moving into an older home can quickly mount up.
For a homeowner who wants to get the same standard of finish and functionality they could expect from a new build home, the cost could be up to £51,643. This includes paying out for:
- Kitchen – £7,900
- Bathroom – £3,800
- Central heating – £6,185
- Wiring – £8,850
- Plastering – £5,240
- Decorating – £2,500
- Flooring – £2,628
- Insulation – £775
- Windows and doors – £4,900
- Roofing – £4,000
- Guttering – £690
- External rendering – £4,175
And the savings continue: while just 26% of second hand homes achieve an energy efficiency rating of A to C, 94% of homes built in 2016 could boast such standards.
Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said, “Buyers of new build homes enjoy a huge number of benefits over those purchasing a second hand home.
“During the buying process customers will receive a high level of service and support from trained sales staff. Upon moving into a property that is designed for modern living, there are all the advantages of living in a home with brand new fixtures and fittings and the latest energy efficiency technologies.
“This report helps to highlight the hidden savings that buyers of new build homes make. While most people have a budget put aside to get the little jobs done, costs soon add up when you need to replace a bathroom or a kitchen.
“£50,000 is a lot of money by anyone’s standards, and this new research emphasises just how much new build home buyers really get for their money.”
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