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So you’re at a point where you can start considering your next (or first) property purchase. Congratulations! But there are so many things to consider, and one of the most fundamental choices is between a new build vs old house. Whichever you prefer will come down to personal preference, but let’s start with one question: What are the main differences between a new build vs old house?
The key features of a new build home are:
The key features of older existing homes are:
Keep reading to delve deeper into how new builds and old houses differ in maintenance costs, energy efficiency, and lifestyle.
Some particular points of comparison are worth delving into further to understand how your daily and monthly experience and budget are impacted in a new build vs old house.
Maintenance costs will vary between homes depending on the age and size of the property, but CheckATrade suggests budgeting around 1% of your home’s value a year towards maintenance costs.
Typically, new builds require less maintenance in the years after purchase since the building is new and hasn’t endured much use yet. Additionally, new builds are protected by 10-year structural warranties that mean the owner isn’t at financial risk if a problem occurs that was caused by the building’s construction. They also feature 2-year defect warranties for smaller issues.
Older houses, on the other hand, come with the history of the previous owners and their use of the property, leading to more unpredictable maintenance costs. With an existing house, you run the risk of your property coming with more hidden costs than expected, which you aren’t protected against via warranty.
Some maintenance costs may be higher for existing houses, too, as the required work may not be as easy to perform in an older structure compared to a newer one. For example, pre-1919 properties are estimated to cost owners an average of £700 a month on upkeep — usually related to roofing, brickwork, gardens, external walls, and chimneys — which is far higher than the maintenance budget for a new build.
New builds are far more energy efficient than existing builds since they are built to better, modern standards. Higher levels of energy efficiency lead directly to cheaper utility bills, as less energy is required to run the home.
New builds are also sometimes powered by more sustainable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, lowering the cost of bills further. The energy new builds do use goes further, too, as better insulation, ventilation, and natural lighting mean that heat stays in and the lights stay off.
Old houses were not built with modern sustainability or technological requirements in mind, so they cost more to heat and power, and are lower-rated for energy efficiency countrywide.
In the UK in 2024, around 95% of existing builds had an EPC rating of C or lower, while 86% of new builds achieved an EPC rating of A or B. Water and lighting bills in new builds were subsequently 50% less than in old houses due to their energy-efficient design and better EPC ratings.
Retrofitting — where energy-efficient appliances, design, and technology are implemented into older buildings — is one solution for old houses, but this is expensive. A retrofit assessment costs £400-£600 on average, and retrofit companies may charge upwards of £1500 for services depending on the scope of work.
The government offers some schemes for improving the energy efficiency of homes in the UK, for example:
You can read more about energy efficiency in new build homes by reading our blog: Why New Builds Save You More on Energy Bills
While new builds promise higher energy efficiency and cheaper maintenance costs, what they may lack is charm and historical character. Existing houses, built in times past, come with the flavour of history. New builds have a different, modern character which prioritises sleek and efficient design.
The character of a build is one of the most subjective, but also most important, features of your new home. With such a personal facet, it’s worth taking your time and not rushing to a decision.
Many older houses are built in central locations or have time-tested connections like public transport routes to rely on. New builds, however, are typically not as well-connected to town centres and are more reliant on cars for transport.
Plumlife can help you find your future new build home today. Discover our incredible range of properties in the North West, Manchester, and Yorkshire by contacting us via phone, email, or online.
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