How are New Houses in the UK Built? Looking at Showhomes!

In the last video of this series we had a quick look at how the externals and main structure of typical UK new-build houses are put together. Today we're having a look around a couple of brand new show homes so I can show you typical features in some fairly typical family homes. I'll also be briefly discussing what I think is best - new builds or old houses? Post in the comments the experiences you've had with new build houses - it would also be interesting to hear how UK new-builds compare to new houses in your part of the world? If you have any questions about buying a new build home pop them in the comments.
Read the full article here:
gosforthhandym...
Previous video in this series: • How are New Houses in ...
Join the Member Zone for extra stuff:
members.gosfor...
Buy locally sourced T-shirts and other lovely stuff from our little shop:
gosforthhandym...
Help me let you know about new vids - subscribe to my free newsletter here:
gosforthhandym...
TOOLS & PRODUCTS I USE: gosforthhandym...
INSTA: / gosforthhandyman
MUSIC:
Jellyfish in Space by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Source: incompetech.com...
Artist: incompetech.com/
Soul Groove by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommon...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
All content on this channel is exclusively owned by MacLellan Creative Limited. Copyright (c) 2021. All rights reserved.
#Property #Realestate #Houses

[@Just-SomeGuy]

I've got a house built in the 70s. Solid walls and reasonable sized garden. One friend had a new build and they had no end of problems with it, and I have heard similar stories. If I was moving I would primarily look at houses 30-50 years old. Not as well insulated, but solidly built.

[@eattherich9215]

I live in a 1970 built block of flats and maisonettes and everything is solid.

[@SBBUK]

My house built in 1979 is shite quality to be honest. There are good houses and bad houses of all ages...

[@symo9924]

They're solid because they had thebtime to settle.

[@ariescustom]

My house is 125 years old and although it needs upkeep from time to time it will probably last another 200 years. Everything thing has obsolescence built-in nowadays, including homes.

[@rachelselby5469]

Also you should know that they sometimes have slightly smaller furniture for show homes - often custom made for this purpose - so that the rooms look bigger.

[@audigex]

"How are new houses in the UK built?" - erm, with tiny windows and even smaller gardens, as far as I can tell. And for about £50k more than an equivalent older house. We're looking for a house now, and everything we find is completely overpriced with a postage stamp worth of garden, I've no idea why anyone buys them

[@WatchingTheo]

audigex so what I done instead then, buy an old Victorian house, start renovation and discover loads of problems, spend 2.5 years and 70k making it all right. Next time I’m buying new.

[@tigger3589]

@@WatchingTheo Really wouldnt recommend it mate... the quality of new builds is atrocious

[@polla2256]

@@WatchingTheo that sounds like my ideal house.

[@staffie1uk]

They buy them because they don’t understand the concept of value.

[@geezerintotech]

They buy them because new houses have been getting extra help from the government, in the form of Help to Buy and special low deposit mortgage schemes. When you buy a new house, developers also withhold information regarding the land they own and what they have planned for it. So you assume they might do nice things to keep everything in keeping. A few years after you buy, you don't even recognise the place. The developers in our area (Bellway) thought it was OK to start building low-income flats all over the place during the next phase of building. Now the whole area stinks like one giant joint with robberies to boot. Thanks Bellway! Won't make that mistake again

[@traw2801]

Thank you so much for posting this video! We are currently waiting for our new build and found some great tips to look out for in snagging. Thank you once again, great video 👍

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries - more tips to come! 👍

[@user-jt1jv8vl9r]

It always amazes me that even in show homes there are many imperfections. If they can’t be bothered to snag a show home then it doesn’t fare well for the home you are likely to buy. The only developer that impressed me recently was Bloor Homes were I could find only one small blemish.

[@Finderskeepers.]

Never buy a show house. They get rushed to bring the development to market to start generating income so its more about appearance than function but it speaks volumes if its bad. Its about whats in the contract not the brochure. Ask for a sales contract when putting down a booking deposit, see if it looks right to you before pay for the solicitor who doesnt know what your expectations are. You only get whats in the contract. The granite worktops are a perfect example. I did the kitchen and bathrooms myself so got higher spec for less money but I did have to complete 1st.

[@eattherich9215]

The viewers will be dazzled by the bling and not notice the imperfections. That's the trick of getting people to part with their money.

[@Lilaceyes231]

New houses often have no consideration for wardrobe space I’ve found. You’re right, once you buy a new house, you want another one next time you move house.

[@shifty277]

Great video, really enjoyed this, please continue this series if you are able to!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Ryan - honestly, barely started! 😀👍

[@K-One582]

There's something about these new builds that seem so suffocating.

[@finnoloughlin8532]

It's because they're all completely identical, with tiny gardens and crammed in on top of their neighbours.

[@valentinoschristofi]

The fact that they build them twelve bricks wide and thirty six long

[@pequod1]

something about the low ceilings

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

@@pequod1 tiny unusable rooms too even by UK standards

[@johnbrookshull]

The boxed in waste pipes and raised shower trays with plinths drive me insane! It's a new build , get the waste pipes in the wall and under the floor!!

[@GrahamWalters]

It should be mandatory in new build

[@charliealder3522]

I used to work on new builds fitting the floors and I honestly wouldn't have one if I was payed to live there. I live in a house that was built in the 50s and I bet it's still standing long after the new builds start to deteriorate.

[@onepotmakesplenty]

I think people buy new builds because it LOOKS like you're getting a lot on paper in terms of no of rooms. In reality you don't get the long term quality. You get lots of tiny rooms, loads of tiny bathrooms and zero downstairs family space. Also very little opportunity to extend or make better unlike older houses.

[@nickbrown6457]

Agreed, lots of tiny unusable rooms, such a mistake. A friend of mine bought a 4 bed 3 bath new build, but a lot of it was almost unusable, as the rooms were so small. The house would have been better proportioned as a 3 bed 2 bath house. They moved house after one year to an older three bed house, with much better proportions.

[@robthewaywardwoodworker9956]

Very interesting to see the finished products. For the record, the painter of the first unit needs a smack! Ha. I am living in an "older home"(nothing like a UK older home) and always have lived in older homes (but for 2 years as a newlywed). I have to say that I am a little tired of the "endless renovation" and would love to live in a new home that I designed myself (since that is what I do). I told my wife the other day that I would like to sell everything and just rent from now on! That was right after we discovered a leak in the oldest bathroom in the house of course. But I keep going. Gutted the bathroom including pulling up the floor boards and re-plumbing it all and redoing the walls (I can't resist and opportunity to redesign a space), replacing the flooring and fixtures. So there you go. Thanks for the video. Cheers.

[@GosforthHandyman]

That's why I'm in a new-build - got sick of the renovations! 😀 Would love to do a self build. 👍

[@psymon25]

opposite my village house are a few 3 bed new builds for around £350K with quite small rooms and a so called garden that you could not swing a cat in, they always have repairs occurring and have even had the roof retiled, we bought our 4 bed house 1982 built property for 330 8 years ago, spent 25K replacing heating with new, updated MCB, showers, security, drive etc and it has a garden thats 2/3rds of an acre which is a whole lot of fun, so imho i would go old. Needs spend but the feeling when its done and the size which is huge in comparison outweighs poor modern quality and a lack of true space to enjoy.

[@iamrobfromcardiff5515]

psymon25 Yes I’m amazed anyone can be happy in a tiny new build, small rooms, poor noise insulation, hugely overlooked by neighbours, usually poor parking space, tiny garden, and even detached homes are normally just 2 feet from neighbours on cramped building plots, and normally right on the road too. Would seriously damage my mental health living like that.

[@Vincent98987]

@@iamrobfromcardiff5515 YO YO THATS NOT HOW I LIVE IN A BRICK HOUSE

[@gillianbc]

@@iamrobfromcardiff5515 Wholly agree. The gardens for most new builds are smaller than the footprint of the house and the front doors open straight out into the street. I'd hate for people to be able to walk past my front windows or overlook my garden.

[@jenniferpayne8432]

We have a old RAF 2 bed with a large garden, paid £165k, it's bigger than the brand new 3 beds down the road and much bigger garden, the only thing we miss is a downstairs loo!

[@shrek_has_swag2344]

Please refrain from swinging cats

[@GrahamWalters]

Show homes are a con, finished to a very high standard by trades on day rate, the actual house you buy these days is jerry built. My advice is to look round the site to see how materials are stored. All my friends who have bought new builds have had serious issues, from leaking shower trays to wood warping, in the roof space. New homes lack any real storage space

[@Dpresley2011]

Not true on any that I've done. Its the same people doing the show home as are doing every other houses. As with many trades, some people are better at it than others

[@ShockedT]

@@Dpresley2011 doesn't matter. Should be strict auditing and QC regardless

[@Dpresley2011]

@@ShockedT should be but isn't, I always do my best to make sure my work is to a high standard but unfortunately doesn't mean everyone does. The qc is down to the main housebuilder

[@ShockedT]

@@Dpresley2011 that's a shame that it isnt, definitely don't blame individual tradesmen but its required of every other industry. Food, medicines, electronics.. don't get why we don't enforce it for buildings

[@Dpresley2011]

@@ShockedT yeah it sucks, the qc does happen but never to a high enough standard

[@mariachurchill1369]

We have a new build and our integrated dishwasher, washing machine & dishwasher were not optional extras, they came as standard as did our turf, some developments they’re optional but worth finding developments who include them.

[@symo9924]

I can see many negative commenta on new build houses on this post, but we're very happy with ours! :) Above all, all the extra money we spent it was for Upgrades rather than just making an offer for an old house which will probably need some work done anyway!

[@flynnjp19]

Old houses often have the BEST locations

[@jenniferpayne8432]

And parking more often than not

[@eattherich9215]

@@jenniferpayne8432: but you still can't get a modern car in the garage, which is why they are often full of stuff. However, you couldn't pay me to live in a new build.

[@hannesrechert8789]

I had one from Taylor Wimpey and it was beautiful and comfortable and the quality was not bad (after the snags had been fixed), but the main impressive feature is the thermal insulation - they are absolutely cosy warm in winter and economical too. The only thing is that the ground floor could do with an underfloor heating due to it being cold when you don’t have carpet laid. I guess the problem is after 20 years when the quality gives in. Another thing was the sound insulation between the floors - there were none by design and one could hear people speak even quietly. I would by a new build again, but I prefer a new build done by myself with top quality. Old houses never because they are simply not warm enough in winter.

[@thegeordiepainter6652]

New build houses are slapped together and everything’s left to the painter to snag and make it look decent. Abit chalk and paint make the joiner what he ain’t!

[@ShockedT]

It can't be just me that finds the way they present those home just pure, tacky rubbish?

[@peterpeterson9903]

Yes, tat deluxe. Appeals to people who managed to scrape together some money and think they are all that now as they live in their new box!

[@ShockedT]

@@peterpeterson9903 Tat deluxe, I like it 😂

[@mahmood2018]

people who cant afford em say tht

[@peterpeterson9903]

@@mahmood2018 Interesting comment, thanks for taking the time to post it. Here is a point of view for you to try and absorb. Take someone, for example sitting in their £750,000 or more house, Victorian perhaps, classically decorated, high quality and antique furniture, quality soft furnishings. They could buy and sell you, they could buy this house outright. Now that same person is going to think this house is just presented in a very tacky very trashy way too, but they can still afford it. Your comment is null. The house itself might be fine (well as good as these new builds get) but it looks it was a feature on my big gypsy wedding. To be fair you possibly like this look though Mahmood - culturally you guys tend to like all your gold plated jewellery and "designer" goods off the ship from the far east, so I suspect this will appeal. Also to be fair, just anyone who doesn't take home decoration tips form Katie Price will agree, and indeed anyone with any real style wouldn't present their home like this and would do a much more tasteful job regardless of their bank balance.

[@smm5163]

​@@mahmood2018 Are you just upset because your house has all that tat in it?

[@eattherich9215]

You are a new discovery and you know what, I think I am going to have to subscribe. Cheers.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Welcome on board!

[@hansdegroot8549]

Very interesting series. Thanks for sharing. People who want to buy a house (older or new): If you have the money (and/or time) you can make (have made) everything in that house the way you want to have it. But you can not change the (in)direct environment (except your own garden). Look at the street, the infrastructure, shops, schools, etc. And never buy a house which is lower than street level. Sooner or later heavy rainfall happens and the main road drainage is not able to pump away all the water. The result is an unwanted swimming-pool in your livingroom, cellar or garage.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Wise words!

[@video99couk]

Both houses seem to have fairly small gardens, especially given the price of the second one. Some new built houses were sold a few years ago in the village I live in. I'm fairly sure that hardly anyone who bought those would do so again. When the area was fully populated, it became obvious that there were terrible parking problems. So if buying a new build, take a careful look at whether the area has enough parking.

[@nickbrown6457]

I'm a big advocate of providing more parking spaces! For example, a four or five bed house is likely to need at least five to six parking spaces, once grown up kids have cars. They will likely be living at home into their thirties, due to the house price catastrophe we have here in the UK, which is going to continue for many decades, and prevent young people from getting on the property ladder. So, four and five bed houses really need five or six parking spaces. Just look at the maths and plan parking properly. House builders and local authorities are just a joke. I think they think that by not providing enough car parking spaces will encourage residents to use the bus and not own a car. That simply will not happen.

[@MrLampbus]

That newel post at 4:17 is shocking! a 'fix' could be to plane off the four faces so they are square to the lower part, then further plane the projecting corners so that the angle matches the 'missing' edges, and taper back to the full square where it is straight. Or saw it out and fit a new one.

[@sirenwoodworkcreations1265]

The new build vs old is a difficult one. I went with old because you get way more square meter for a lot less money, and more than just a 12 inch deep cupboard for storage. But nearly 2 years in and still renovating, so deeply regret not getting the new build. Hate driving past the new estate seeing all the pretty new builds with painted yellow rendered fronts and lovely garages. Then I get home to my damp riddled, falling apart 1900's terraced house ha.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ah, been there many times man! There's no better feeling when it's all done - you'll get sorted, keep plugging away! 👍🛠

[@lafemmelaMon]

I love my Victorian house! It was the character! ;)

[@naughtyhorses]

But you can fit a sofa though your doors and having driven into your garage there is room to get out of the car :-)

[@lynettepettitt655]

The lack of bench/ cupboard under the sink in the bathrooms & powder room seems odd, but as you didn't comment on it I assume it's a standard style in the UK. Definitely interesting to see the difference between what is available compared to Australia.

[@michaelstaley2241]

Excellent content keep up the good work. I live in a 1980’s detached very nice quite well built bing gardens .🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@esskayrepairrestoration8265]

I’ve looked at a few down here in London and thought they were rubbish; prices a joke, build quality dreadful and the walls were like office partitions! Biggest rip-off these days though is the whole leasehold thing with ground rents going up every year. It’ll need the government to step in to put a stop to it IMHO.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yes - the leasehold thing is shocking. Also not sure if it's the same down there but up here the councils often have no involvement with the upkeep of green spaces etc. - all private and handled through service charges.

[@kitchensexpert8242]

The worksurfaces are glitterstone quartz not granite. Your cheapest solid surface option.

[@emc8366]

Interesting to see the implied differences in the target market between the two homes; £500k one aimed presumably at fairly successful families/manager or director level staff parents. Home office so you can work outside of hours, dining room accessible from kitchen and living room for entertaining etc.

[@leeg131313]

You should see a 500k house in the south. 3bed semi if you're lucky. With plaster walls between the two houses. Creaky floorboards etc

[@MilesV8]

@@leeg131313 Sadly yes. Where I live you'll be lucky to even get a semi new build for £500k in South Buckinghamshire. Shocking quality though - our friends bought one and have regretted it since moving in.

[@EvolutionPowerTools]

Really interesting video Andy! Some good tips for things to look out for on new builds. Cheers, Paul

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Paul - hope all is well! 👍

[@gillianbc]

Why is it that even on the deep drawers, they all seem to have shallow sides and just a useless bar going across? Mine are like that and things are forever falling out the sides and the back. Why aren't they proper deep-sided drawboxes?

[@janejan9728]

Because you're supposed to buy the special dividers and interior boxes which cost more than the drawers themselves. The drawer box is only a vessel for the inserts.

[@gillianbc]

@@janejan9728 The inserts are shallow too - I have those. It's the actual sides that are the same depth as the shallow drawers. I have a deep drawer for my towels and tea-towels... with a cardboard box in it so that they don't fall out.

[@andrewwilson8717]

The boxing in of the pipework in the toilets looks really cheap and lazy. I'd want to see that pipework hidden in the walls or floors

[@GrahamWalters]

They can't because there isn't enough of a gap in the studding to run pipework, plus it's easier and cheaper to fix on the surface, any idiot can do it

[@andrewwilson8717]

@@GrahamWalters I'd rather pay more for a better job 😂 would love to have a hast built to my own spec. Currently the 2nd owner of a house built in 2001 and still finding shortcuts and bodges from when the house was built

[@Finderskeepers.]

its simply a cost and speed issue and not everyone puts a premium on it. Im like you.

[@tracybeckett4107]

Excellent video, you know what to look for, and you obviously know your stuff, I say again, great video!

[@steveknapp244]

New builds are shocking. My first had creaky stairs from new which I fixed myself after the builder ‘fixed’ it. Leaking at the stop cock on the plastic side which was hidden by the kitchen unit so water soaked into the unit, the mdf skirting, into the walls all behind the unit. Pulled the kick board off to find a pool of water (contained by the level compound lip), black mould everywhere. Shower tiles came loose, held in by gravity as the adhesive didn’t take, water running behind them dissolved the plaster board and leaked through to downstairs ceiling which was a mess. The same shower, the door was not sealed correctly, so water would run around the lip and soak into the plasterboard. The PRV on the hot water cylinder went faulty - no problems as the overflow will take care of that...hmmm, water gushed into the tundish, which leaked. The water knackered the dining room ceiling, a push fit joint was weeping so a black spot on the ceiling appeared which went furry. Suffice it to say, I put right a lot of what was crap and then I sold it and bought another one....😫🤣

[@miriammonks2460]

Thank you, obsessed with UK houses :) thank you so much for uploading. Really like the first house shown actually. All the best

[@frankiesalmon7545]

Good video Andy. I bought a Persimmon new build south of the Tyne. Nice house but built by absolute idiots. Worst ever customer service. I would buy another new build but not from Persimmons

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hear this quite frequently unfortunately. 👍

[@RelaxwithSeizure]

One of the worst things you can do in the UK is buy a "New House" because they're so over priced. I do property development, that downstairs toilet looks horrendous with that boxing going around for the pipework, not professional at all. The kitchen does have grantie/quartz worktops but they've used poor quality units, doors and fittings shocking really. All they've done is glorify and bog standard budget kitchen. What is that shower, so bad, no need whatsoever for that shower tray to be so high. You can get low thresh trays, even for the U-bend underneath, sink it in the floor. These houses really haven't had any thought put into them. Biggest bug bear and being cheap is not tiling the whole bath area. Here's my opinion, from someone that works in property. Do not buy this crap. You're being over charged and ripped off.

[@jaebird789]

Can I ask you a question as a property developer? How do small gated developments of like 6 houses compare to the ones built en mass? I live in Surrey and I’m interested in some luxury new builds down the road but I don’t know if I’m being ripped off. 3 bed terrace =520k (1000 square ft) and 4 bed semi (1300 square ft) =700k on a gated development of 6 houses near all the amenities. I can get an older 3 bed for 400k on the same road??

[@theandroids]

Absolutely thought the same thing horrid. New builds with boxing is a sin. Put some concealed toilets and sinks in that thing.

[@LordDuren]

UK is really in dark ages when it comes to decor. Barely anything nice in shops. Same old boring stuff

[@Dpresley2011]

Easy to say when you already own a home with equity. As a new buyer, to buy an older house you'd need anywhere from £30,000 upwards as a deposit. With help to buy on a new build, u could get a house of the same value with a £15,000 deposit. Theyve got u by the balls

[@Finderskeepers.]

@@jaebird789 It very much depends on the developers standards rather than the size of development, smaller developments do tend to have higher standards as its a way to get a premium. Like selling any product, a good developer will target a market segment with design, build quality and fit out. Like a new car, you will pay a premium for new, lower running costs and warranties. Price per sq.ft is a good benchmark , although more so for apartments if like for like is compared, but orientation can be up to 10% , detached, transport,security, schools , postcode, garden size, traffic, allocated parking are other factors. Only by knowing the local market can you tell if its good value but fit out and condition needs to be taken into account not just financial but the hassle and time factor too. Just look at the difference in prices between a top end kitchen or bathroom to entry cost versions for the most important differences. When your viewing some other house with an agent who isnt selling the development ask for his thoughts , but also check them , they may have there own agenda.

[@realtalkz3930]

If you can hear someone talking outside when your on the top floor of the house walk away quickly

[@TheLemartes]

I used to live in UK and I owned property and I can relate to all the things you were showing. I moved to Poland recently, what got me is that in Poland you buy houses in a "unfinished" state, aka you need to do things inside, what you need to do varies, but is usually with full electrical wiring, plumbing, working heating, rest of things like finishing up walls (base plaster is there, and you need to even the surface out for paint) floors, bathrooms (all ceramics taps etc), kitchen, interior doors etc. are up to you. At first I was annoyed cause you needed to add the extra money on top of what you pay for property to finish it up (banks do lend you money for that too if you need it when taking up mortgage). However looking at the videos you are showing where you 'pay for everything extra' I am not so annoyed anymore. At least doing it yourself (i mean paying the people and buying the products you want) will guarantee you get what you pay for. I wonder if this system (of bare bones houses sold by developers) would work in UK, I guess the banks would have to change their ways in UK.

[@d4n_huss]

People always say new build homes are just awful but if you know how to maintain a home they can be very nice. My home is around 10 years old so not too old and its well looked after. And the new build homes in my area are really good, they have a lot of space compared to others

[@Anthoneyyyyy]

I want to hear you rant about house prices! Love the channel

[@coreyarmstrong1850]

Same

[@David-om8yv]

As someone who use to work on various new build housing sites for various contractors The copper pipe work is a con inside the walls the plumbing is plastic push fit (cheap material and labour cost)and the copper is placed where pipe work is visible to give the impression that the whole property is plumbed in copper. Every main contractor does this it’s shocking. New build companies are about numbers not quality

[@kcsunshine4008]

I’m from the UK. ( have lived in north Italy for 25 years). - but spent 6 fab years in Newcastle from 1988-94 - love your videos on all things diy/Reno/ garden / construction etc. You are indeed very handy!!! I have lived in old houses - a bit chilly, often damp and usually with an outdated layout for modern living.......but full of character - and we did a new build of our own here in Italy ( with a measly budget total of 60,000 euro from start to finish!!!! ). I’d say that the problems of insulation, damp and layout are resolved but we have managed to add character in other ways. I’m sometimes a bit nostalgic about the 20th century, Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian features but am probably more comfortable in a “personalised “ new-build. One question: what’s better about copper piping when compared to plastic?? Can you explain?

[@waseemsells5378]

Just curious why you are amazed about cooper plumbing. What’s usually used? PVC? Clay?

[@missmessi]

My dad bought our house in the 80s. it had 1 previous owner. dont know when the house was built tbh. i'm from Wales. i have been to many houses on my street and by far our house is the biggest which is weird. we live in the city. in a terrace house. we have a big front and back garden. we have a big basement with 2 rooms (down a flight of stairs). we have 2 big living rooms. we have a shower and a toilet on that floor. a big dining room with a extendable table which fits 8 people. and still space to move around. a kitchen little bit small but it's perfect for our family. gas cooker. in the kitchen we have a loft on the ceiling too. and a new room we built which was the side of the garden. it's like a conservatory but ngl it leaks lol so we need to get that fixed but its so useful coz all our fridge freezers and spare food go in there. then go up a flight of stairs, where you will find a bed room and also the family bathroom with a corner big bath/shower. it also has a loft space in the bathroom roof. then go up another flight of stairs another bed room and also the master bedroom. outside both bedrooms we leave the ironing board. then you go up another flight of stairs you will find windows looking out to the roofs of all the houses but its higher so we can see above it. then go up another flight of stairs is the massive attic. we have 2 queen beds in the attic and honestly we could fit 4 king beds if we really wanted to and still have space. both sides of the room have to lofts going along the whole sides of the room. houses are pretty cheap in wales if you find the right one. our house is probably worth not much. i would go for older houses thanks. its bigger. more space and thicker walls. we legit can't hear anything with neighbours on both sides who have so many kids.

[@TejTalks]

Great video and playlist!

[@kessy7671]

Thankyou for the video

[@GaryThomsonJoinery]

Excellent, very informative Andy, thank you for sharing 👍😄

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Gary - hope you're well! 👍🛠

[@ianblack1033]

Hi. I enjoyed the 2 part series on the new builds. Interested in your comments about oil based paints. Ive used Dulux super sheen oil based gloss for years. As you are aware you can achieve an excellent result with good prep and application, but Ive noticed in the last 2 years or so that yellowing seems to appear after just a few weeks on painted surfaces not in direct light. I've googled to see what others think, and concensus seems to be use water based, but the results in terms of finish are not as good as oil based. What products, in terms of undercoat and finish coat have you used that give a good finish and will not yellow?

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hi Ian - have you watched my Water Based Gloss vid? I only use water-based these days (for white).

[@puntoboy_gaming]

I've lived in 4 different new build houses, and 4 older houses. I liked both. I do prefer a new build and all four we've lived in have been great.

[@jevgenijliogkij7849]

I like your review. You are not afraid to criticise. (I am a little bit tired of English politeness). If cabort cheep you are saying it's cheep. If heating system not suitable you are saying it's not suitable. If it's good heating system (big tank of water) you are saying positive compliment 👍

[@jackrichard8351]

I live in a 300 year old converted coach house cottage and love it, had a leak in the roof and one of the fireplace walls has damp patches. But the house was very reasonably prices and has a big garden that feels private. I would buy a new build but I'd go with a reputable builder and I would inspect the house first. I think most houses come with issues. Saying that my last house was built in the 80s and had hardly any issues.

[@First_Principals]

Why were you surprised the pipes were copper? If you want to understand why house prices are so high read progress and poverty by Henry George. His ideas inspired the monopoly board game and one of the most influential political books at the time. The book was an international bestseller when it was written in 1879 it influenced Leo Tolstoy, George Bernard Shaw, Winston Churchill, Fredrich Hayek, Bertrand Russell, Helen Keller, H.G. Wells, John Dewey, Clarence Darrow and many others. There are a few videos on youtube explaining his ideas.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Copper - a lot of new builds are filled with plastic pipework and push-fit. Will check that book out. 👍

[@augustreil]

Copper is expensive. Here in America, many are switching over to Pex and having issues, not a lot but some. Copper is the best overall but expensive, IMO.

[@paul756uk2]

Those soft close hinges have a tab on them so can have them on or off or on one hinge only on smaller doors.

[@kryptoniteee]

Excellent video!

[@ianblack1033]

Hi. Didnt realise you'd already done a video on oil versus water based, so that answered my question nicely. Cheers!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha, ignore my last comment. 👍😀

[@Auto_Funk]

Horrendous things... The government should be incentivising developers to restore and repurpose old empty properties into modern accommodation rather than build horrible cheap homes on all over our nice green land... I can't understand why our Government is so obssessed with trying to get people to buy them and I don't really understand why there is an apparent housing shortage when you can go onto Rightmove and find literally 1000s of "second hand" houses available and ready to buy.

[@dreamcrusher112]

The 'housing crisis' is centred on social housing like council or semi-private companies that cater to those who don't earn enough to buy a house at the going rate. New builds all seem to start at 250k, but the people who actually need houses built for them are ones who can only afford 100 or 150k. Around me I see countless new estates touting themselves as the fix to the crisis, but they all start at 350k lol

[@neonskyline1]

Great presenting Mate, the second new build was nice, not that i'd ever own one or want to at that price, reminds me of one i had a bridges view Gateshead, the problem isn't the house, it's the price and look once you step outside it.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Yup - and that's cheap compared to down south! House prices here are out of control. Best of luck with your project! 👍🛠

[@rawdah786]

Hi Matey, Nice video. I’ve moved into a new build & they’re definitely warmer than our old house. However we’ve experienced the following issues with our 3 storey new build, I was wondering if these issues are common? 1. Waterhammer noise when we shut the water taps (we have plastic pipe work on our plumbing), could this waterhammer lead to a leak in the future? 2. Roof noise - on a windy day we get some kind of knocking noise above one of the top floor bedrooms, everything looks alright from the outside, just wondering what it could be? Loose fascia board/ tile/ rafter tray vent?? 3. Squeaky floorboards - are these common with new builds? Do they get worse over time? Finally, we noticed a leak in Sept.’17 when one of the contractors pierced our downstairs cloakroom sink with a 4 inch nail, it was leaking for maybe a year until we noticed mould in the skirting, Kier sprayed the internal soaked/ mouldy joist wood with Zinsser saying it’ll do the trick, & they ‘made good’ the outside plaster & skirting, is that sufficient or was I fobbed off with the Zinsser treatment? Should they’ve removed the timber & replaced with new timber? Kind regards,

[@GosforthHandyman]

Hi - I would get a plumber out to check the water hammer - if it's really bad it could cause leaks so worth checking out - could be too much pressure or badly fitted pipework. Roof noise could be literally anything 😀. Squeaky floors can be quite common since often the wrong type of screws are used (I'll be doing a vid about screws soon). Leak - impossible to say without inspecting the timber I'm afraid! 👍

[@rawdah786]

Gosforth Handyman Thank you for replying.

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

@@GosforthHandyman I live in the us. In Colorado it gets pretty windy here and it’s normal for your roof to shake/vibrate when introduced to high winds. That sound is the trusses vibrating from the force of the wind pushing on it. Any creaking/shifting noise is normal in gusty winds 👍

[@DisneyMarkUK]

I quite liked the second one but I do like new builds, it’s pretty expensive though but having a loo that no one has previously used would be a bonus.

[@davidheafield1436]

Mark Forrest ...don’t worry one of the builders would have taken a shite before it’s yours anyway

[@DisneyMarkUK]

David Heafield 😂😂😂

[@fst1775]

I live in a new build show home they are pretty good and they are not very many flaws some things are not good such as door hardware can be a bit rubbish but unfortunately some houses in my street have subsided due to the ground.

[@MrFriskyWhiskey]

Wonder if they were Persimmon. I'd bring a tape measure and a spirit level!

[@shesonyoutube]

I've found this very helpful, thanks

[@mandeeplalli4653]

As a trade I would never buy a new build after working on them and seeing all the shortcuts of the trades

[@markcopple2870]

you are amazed at the copper plumbing. question, Do you think copper is superior to pvc? If so, why? I always thought pvc was better but you are the expert.

[@SBBUK]

Came to ask the same question... Nowadays I would go with speedfit every time over copper. If fittings are used properly in my experience they never leak.

[@coconutdreams1238]

I live in Germany and I *love* new builds! Sadly I live in an old flat build in the 70s. But it's fine because when my parents and I moved in when I was around 8, we renovated everything. Before we moved into our current flat we were thinking about moving into a new build townhouse. But the houses were build in not even a year and were of poor quality. To top it all of, they were expensive! 400-500k for an 3 bedroom house! And it wasn't even much bigger than our flat. But I still love new builds, they look so much better in my opinion. :)

[@shutinyanks]

Currently renovating a 1950s house myself hard work with lots of quirks from the past to overcome learning harsh lessons with doors in particular frames being so small cutting away at doors is a pain in the arse. But for the space we have i wouldnt buy a new build because you never get value for money unless your tipping that 500k-700k mark in my view for our personal tastes. We have been to a few new builds and and the amount of issues i've seen in snagging is amazing lots of bodge jobs (persimmon homes seem to be the worst) I have found that Redrow homes have some of the best inspectors for build quality. good video i enjoyed that.

[@GosforthHandyman]

I'd agree on Persimmon - hear lots of horror stories sadly. There are some excellent quality smaller builders out there though. Where we are the new builds are probably 2/3 the price of the older houses, unless you go for a renovation project. Good luck with yours - been there a few times, will be awesome once it's all done! 👍😀

[@robzaphy]

I live in a 1950s house and im 6'4 and door frames i can fit through without ducking.

[@dees3179]

Just as well the extras are optional. They are pretty tacky. And grey! I was surprised that this video is as old as it is, I didn’t realise grey had been going on for so long.

[@tamielizabethallaway2413]

Ugh I'm so over the grey too! Hate it! 😁

[@hectorskmetija3015]

I was lucky to buy an unlisted 150+ year old flint cottage, only spent 25k on it. New houses were built nextdoor and to be frank my garden shed/garage was built better. They say younger people don't want large gardens but the ones next door you couldn't bury a cat let alone swing one.

[@PhoenixBlu3]

Amazing video!

[@Nickpaintbrush]

Ive lived in an 1870s house, 1950s, etc. I live in one now thats 15 years old and on balance its probably the best of them all. Not because its a better built house, its just more functional!

[@sisaofrost]

I'm shocked at the prices compared to Canada. Where I live we could almost get a mansion for that price! AND we would get all the extras as part of the cost. Crazy stuff!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Ha and this is the North of England - you should see the prices in the South! I need to move to Canada... 😂👍

[@adgeebike9173]

Would that be a brick built house or boards as in the US.

[@NoName-te6dp]

Yes, you get huge houses in the US and Canada for $500k US dollars, heck for even less. The only downside is that you guys have them in suburbs that are far from the cities which usually requires driving in and out to even get shopping. And these suburbs are usually dead boring. They are designed, with their immaculate house style based on wood panels, large lawn, white stone pavement and roads (sometimes unnecessarily really wide) more like retirement villages than vibrant living areas for the family.

[@rok1475]

No Name you watch too many American soaps and developed unrealistic concept of life in suburbia from those shows.

[@bitnewt]

It looks alright on the surface (though I would chuck the generic furnishings and try to repaint some personality into it if I could), but what do the standard non-showhomes look like?

[@anthonynewcome128]

all plumbing is copper on 2nd fix, plastic 1st fix , at least what i fit on site... lol..

[@GosforthHandyman]

I've seen a lot of big builders using plastic couplings on 2nd fix too but the 'newer' new builds seem to be going back to copper. Wonder if there's been a lot of problems?

[@Kernowking101]

Regs are that all exposed interior piping has to be copper.

[@keithnewton8981]

Water based gloss yellows quickly in cupboards due to the lack of uv light not oil based paint iil based paint is better for area that do not get natural light. Info from Dulux Crown and Valspar

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

Looks a lot like what the us is doing with new builds. Some Homes with tons of issues overpriced and not so long lasting and small backyards.(it does depend on the builder though). In my opinion old and new homes have their pros and cons. Nice video of what new UK homes look like.

[@rhysevans7903]

New houses look pretty on the outside,,underneath all that is a horror show

[@theandroids]

1000%

[@theconspiracyfactualist.144]

Sold my new build after just three years back in February. Phew!

[@eddydixon]

So true, I’ve worked on some, almost all tradesman are working on a price so most things are lashed in and corners cut all over the place, such a shame.

[@user-vk8yq8oq7p]

They look shit on the outside are ya joking

[@rhysevans7903]

@@user-vk8yq8oq7p well thats up too the individual really

[@koledarby3379]

The second one is 100% more fleshed out and the right amount of space you need in some of the rooms

[@symo9924]

All these negative comments on New build houses... I'll enjoy living in my brand new house, with solar panels already installed and with a fixed price. The extra £10k spent on the house will be for brand new floors and upgraded extras rather than just for making an offer!

[@dobias28]

I've been living in the UK for couple of years, but what really pisses me off are the sizes of garages. You can't even park your car there and all it needs is just a few inches on both sides and wider doors. Geniuses

[@elobiretv]

Most are not built to keep cars in, just the odd garden tools and stuff. Seems a bit pointless parking a car in a garage anyway unless it's something really nice.

[@tigerlite3]

I used to work for a “new build” nationwide builder which is still going, shove them up quick, cut corners, internal walls are about 75 mm thick and although insulated, you can hear everything, plastic plumbing, the smallest shower bases you can get, 900 mm square. They’re clever marketing terraced houses, when you look at the gardens, they look quite big, that’s because they leave the fences down !! Good luck, but check out the builder very carefully !

[@car11ali72]

Can we make profit buy newly build house and sell it as trader haw to success plz

[@fthunte1982]

Thanks for your time, a very informative housing video. I am considering buying a Victorian Terrace in Stoke-On-Trent, as they are very cheap. It would be great if did a video on buying old terrace houses, if you have not done so already.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you! Got some info. coming up about a renovation I did of a Victorian terrace - will hopefully be useful. Good luck with the move! 👍

[@bubel4321]

We bought our new built house from persimmon 4 years ago and it’s 95% exactly the same inside as the house you showed ! Haha

[@m.v.k4681]

I bet there was loads of snags to be don, them and Barrett seem to be at the low end of my expectations. There better builders around these days, but all will have a few snags.

[@rhondarhonda9688]

Hello Gosforth Handyman @16:41 talked about 10 year warranty (NHBC) could you talk or give infos on it, or anyone on this forum 26/2/2024 Happy Monday!

[@roscopeco2000]

I work as an architectural technician so i see alot of old and new houses although new houses how better insulation, nothing can match the craftsmanship of the Victorians they were light years ahead of today's house builders

[@towkukus]

7:14 whats a point of having a very secure door if there is glass wall next to them?

[@MauriceNL1]

Why are the boilers in the kitchen? here in The Netherlands boilers are always in the loft as high as possible

[@aidangallagher4231]

There isnt copper plumbing im afraid, if you ever need to cut the wall out for maintenance you will find that the copper exists a few centimetres past that into a pushfit.

[@peepiepo]

Considering the premium for land these days I'm surprised 3 storey housing like this isn't more standard. And why oh why are we still building them brick by brick, surely technology has moved on by now?

[@quiteamazingtoo]

I suggest brick looks good over time largely without cosmetic maintenance and it is part of the culture to use brick. Householders do not necessarily keep up with cosmetic maintenance.

[@Tensquaremetreworkshop]

@@quiteamazingtoo You can system-build houses and still have a brick facing. Instead we are still building them the same as the Romans- brick with a tile roof. 2000 years and little progress. Compare today's cars with 50 years ago - completely different. Compare today's house with 2000 years ago. The privy has moved indoors...

[@replevideo6096]

@@Tensquaremetreworkshop The brick and tile house stands the test of time better than those built with new technology. They are also easier to get a good mortgage on because the banks know they last and their investment is safe. A mortgage for a house of non standard construction is likely to have a higher interest rate.

[@Finderskeepers.]

change resistance and comfort with what you know. Availability of building skills is another factor, obviously traditional building skills are more readily available which becomes a cost factor. Factory produced timber frame should be the future but british weather makes purchasers uncomfortable with that.

[@replevideo6096]

@@Finderskeepers. There is no way to overcome change resistance from banks. Their only concern is that, should they have to repossess a house, it will be worth more than the outstanding mortgage amount at auction. Many will not advance money on a non standard construction property at all. Those that do will insist on a higher deposit and charge a higher interest rate. That will apply usually to a timber framed house which is not regarded as standard in the UK, even though it is proven technology in other countries. Such a house will command a lower price because buyers are put off by the mortgage situation.

[@lilachart6371]

New builds round here are often built on bits of waste ground or on land where factories closed. Yes it rejuvinates the areas but they are not in areas of beauty and the prices are crazy . The only thing detached about them is the fresh air between them !!

[@agentcovert]

Great video..Here in the USA I'd say NEVER buy a new house for several serious reasons..#1 built to the lowest legal standards in the pursuit of profit..#2 new houmes are bulit in sub divisions which are controlled by HOA Homeowners Associations which charge $75 usd to $1,000 usd per month to control every detail of your house outside and hand out heavy fines including taking your paid off house leaving you homeless..They control what color, style your house is including landscape and even the color, type of curtains/ blinds inside your house, $1,000usd fines for parking in / on your property's driveway vs parking inside the your garage, $100 usd fine for leaving the curbside garage can outside..and if you don't pay the fines such as $500 a day for brown grass in the yard the HOA takes your house and sells it kepping all the money..

[@belltond1527]

In the UK new builds tend to be good. Just a few developers I would avoid like the plague like persimmon homes and avant

[@charlesrodriguez7984]

@@belltond1527 same in the USA. Avoid huge national home builders like DR Horton because they are not familiar with regional differences and requirements that usually lead to serious issues in homes. Stick to a reputable local builder and read all reviews and you should be 👍

[@knightstemplar1967]

Great question one simple answer, shockingly.

[@chrisdaniels3929]

Correct about the contractors not being employed causing snags.

[@dawnbrick4566]

I've noticed new houses don't have wardrobes in the bedrooms so they appear bigger on viewing. They don't have any decent sound proofing either. I'd never buy another new house.

[@theconspiracyfactualist.144]

I'm with you on that. Sold mine in February after three yrs. Nightmares.

[@GrahamWalters]

I looked at a one bed falt, by the time I put wardrobes in the bedroom there would be room for a queen size bed. No storage whatsoever in new homes, no wonder people throw out Christmas every year.

[@Finderskeepers.]

they even get small beds especially made. The handyman picked up on the queen sized bed for one of the houses here, another standard trick.

[@John_Wood_]

Noise/sound is a huge problem.

[@sabeeliqbal561]

Top guy . Deffo know what youre talking about

[@kaybentleyco1939]

Interesting and insightful.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Thank you!

[@sweetpea7715]

If tiles are extras what do they put there?

[@flynnjp19]

Maybe the copper pipes are only in the cabinets, where people see it!!!

[@RelaxwithSeizure]

Really no need to use copper these days unless its for gas. Hep2o is by far better these days. Technology has moved on, do some research online. Fitted thousands of Hep fittings, never once had any issues.

[@capabilityhandymanservices8685]

The advantage of buying old in the UK is size of plot. I got a 100' garden with my 30's house, they literally don't make 'em like that anymore. The investment (to me) is the land, not the building entirely.

[@niceguy235uk1]

The amazing thing about new build homes these days, is that someone has finally managed to polish a turd.