Share:
There’s a question all prospective homeowners must face at some point in their buying journey – do we go old or new? Many will sing the praises of existing builds, but they can prove inaccessible to many, especially first-time buyers. It can all leave you wondering, what are the benefits of buying a new build?
Newly built homes come with many benefits:
Keep reading as we break down whether new builds are worth buying, and some things to keep an eye on if you do.
As you may know, there are many upsides and downsides to owning a new build property.
Many first-time buyers report that their homes are:
Many buyers report that the downsides of purchasing a new build home, compared to buying pre-owned, are:
Let’s take a look at each of these factors to see whether it could be right for you to consider a new build home.
For those who take the leap and buy a new build, what is life actually like?
Modern building standards mean that new builds are more energy-efficient than older homes. Figures from the Home Builders Federation state that, as of January 2025, new homes emit 65% less carbon a year than the average older build, and 86% of new builds have an EPC rating of A or B.
On average, new-build houses pay £979 less in lighting, heating, and hot water bills than existing houses per year, and similarly, new flats pay £395 less for those utilities than older flats over the same period.
Without needing to untangle years of dodgy DIY and questionable paint jobs, in a new build, you’ll have a much easier time expressing yourself.. This gives you more flexibility with your comfort and style preferences when it comes to moving in.
There are a number of ways to reduce the costs associated with a new build, from slashing the required deposit to finding alternative ways to own:
Learn about even more buying schemes for first-time buyers in our blog post.
If there are issues with the build, you can lean on your warranty for protection, but be aware of what your warranty actually covers.
During the first two years, you are protected against any issues caused by the work the builder has done. During years 3 to 10, you’re only protected against major structural issues. Be sure to keep an up-to-date snagging list for recording problems with your home.
With all-new white goods that were preinstalled in the property, you will also be protected from appliance failure through their warranties.
Be sure to read through these warranties when you get settled in your new home, as some of them may require registration to remain valid after a certain period of time.
Modern building regulations mean that new builds are tech-ready and better-equipped to allow smart home integration. Thanks to legislative changes in 2022, all new builds must have:
The property or development may also come with better security and safety features than an existing build, such as modern fire alarms, newer door locks, and space for video doorbell implementation.
With new builds, you’re restricted to where there are currently developments being built and sold, which can sometimes be in non-central locations such as commuter belts.
This can present a particular problem if you don’t drive or live with non-drivers. A 2024 RTPI report found that, from 2012 to 2021, only 66% of new developments were able to access town centres within 20 minutes via public transport, while 96% of new developments could make the same journey by car.
It falls on the local authority to provide community infrastructure like schools, hospitals, and parks and therefore those places may also be missing or far away when a development is first available to move into.
At Plumlife, we pride ourselves on accessible locations. Check out our city-centre properties in Sheffield’s Kelham Island and Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Without a previous resident seller, it can be hard to gauge what living in the house will actually feel like. The responsibility to discover any issues with the home falls entirely to you, too, so it’s important to keep a snag list.
With research into the local community and nearby neighbourhoods, you can alleviate some of this uncertainty. We encourage you to look into (and ask the developer) what transport links are currently available or planned, where the nearest shops are, and what the developer’s plans for the area are. You can also find on social media groups of people who have moved into that developer’s other properties to get a sense of how reliable they are.
Buying a new home should be a positive experience. Anyone lucky enough to buy a brand-new property here in the UK will benefit from the above advantages.
Some surprise features that you should consider are also:
Let’s review each to see how owning a new home can have some surprise benefits.
There’s no buyer-chain hassle to worry about; you can just buy, own, and move into the place without waiting for a slow-paced seller to move out.
If you’re living in a newly built house on a new development, you will be surrounded by people in exactly the same position as yourself, which can lead to lasting relationships with neighbours.
We’ve all heard the neighbour’s TV through the wall before, but that’s only because back in the 60s, people didn’t have voice assistants and speakers in every room.
Now, modern building regulations, materials, and owners’ demands mean that walls are not as thin and overall soundproofing is better than it ever has been.
While you’re getting settled into your new build, the home is also settling, which may shift the foundations a little. This is perfectly normal and may result in some hairline cracks, which should be recorded.
You also may note some hairline cracks around windows and doors, or lumps on walls and ceiling, all caused by shrinkage as moisture leaves the foundational building materials. Any cracks that are wider than 5mm should be reported to the builder for a check immediately.
Condensation build-up caused by the home drying out can be a big source of frustration in a new home. You can manage this with good ventilation, and the issue should lessen in time as the build dries.
You may also want to wait before redecorating in the first year, as any paint or wallpaper may slow down the process of the house drying from construction, thus resulting in more issues.
Any house purchase is a huge milestone and, if you expect to be living in it for a long time, it’s important to know how long it’ll last.
Some of the main factors impacting a house’s lifespan include:
Typical house construction materials will last between 60-100 years, and it’s the larger components they make up that will break and need replacing with use. Security systems may need updating every 5-10 years, you might be eyeing up a new carpet every 10 years, and your driveway may be showing some wear after the 15-year mark.
Ultimately, the house that you buy today won’t be the same one, two, five, or even 20 years down the line. This is true for new builds and pre-owned properties. The 40-60 year estimate is spot-on, so long as you understand that all houses require major maintenance before they reach that point in their lifespan.
You might have made up your mind on new builds by this point, but let’s recap.
If you’re considering buying a newly built home, check out our catalogue of properties across Manchester and Sheffield by using our Find A Home search today!
Share:
