By Ela Matters Staff 
Buying a home is, in a nutshell, a very big deal indeed. You don’t need telling this, though; not after having seen the myriad horror stories about months-long conveyancing processes, nightmare hidden household issues, or even just attempting to buy a property at all in today’s stagnant-wage economy.
When it comes time for you to stake your own claim to a property on the market, you’ll be faced with a wide variety of options. Here, though, we’re going to make the case for the new build – a type of property often overlooked for perceived issues with cost, build quality and location. As you’re about to discover, this isn’t always the case.
Energy and Cost Savings
For starters, new build homes have a distinct edge over older properties with respect to their energy efficiency. While EPC ratings might not be the first thing on your mind, energy efficiency actually means a great deal for a number of things – from cost savings to the general comfort levels of your home.
Older homes are not built with modern heating systems in mind; they also tend to be quite draughty, which can wick heat away quickly in colder seasons. Modern homes are more reliably airtight, and also well-insulated to trap in heat better. Combined with modern alternatives to the combi boiler, new-build homes are both cheaper to heat and more comfortable to live in.
Peace of Mind with Warranties
One of the major sticking points for those wary of new-builds is the quality levels of the finished product. Much has been made of rush jobs and non-compliant builds in recent years, as the perceived standards of the new build have dropped. However, while this is the case with a small minority of overstretched businesses, it doesn’t speak to the majority of projects.
And even if it did, construction companies tend to offer warranty schemes to those buying into a new development. Such schemes cover the maintenance and repair of a property within its first few years, ensuring everything from minor teething problems to major structural works are covered and handled at no cost.
Built for Modern Living
From a pure practicality point of view, new build homes are simply better-equipped for modern living. The property market is flooded with ‘doer-upper’ homes that don’t meet the standards for contemporary life, whether older heating systems, unsuitable cooking apparatus or outdated bathing suites. New builds are built with modern expectations in mind, including smart technology for controlling lights and heating – and as a blank canvas for you to properly make your home your own.