Why Buy a New Build Home in London?

In this article, we explore 10 reasons why a new-build home in London could be right for you.  

 

1. No chain to worry about

Buying a home can be stressful, particularly if there’s a property chain involved. You can be reliant on the seller’s own purchase going through smoothly and on time – and on them not changing their mind! Issues like gazumping and survey results can also add to the stress and feeling of powerlessness as you proceed from having your offer accepted to finally exchanging. With lots of moving parts involved, it’s perhaps unsurprising that 1 in 3 property sales fall through.² When buying a new build as a first-time buyer there’s no property chain to worry about. And as the development and building is new, you shouldn’t have to worry about issues such as subsidence, Japanese knotweed or whether alterations or extensions have been completed without planning permission. If you’d like more information on the home buying journey, we’ve got a handy guide to help.  

 

 

2. Energy-efficiency means lower bills

The UK has some of the worst insulated housing in Europe.³ This means, in general, UK homes are colder, more expensive to run, have higher carbon footprints and often give rise to issues such as condensation and black mould (which can be detrimental to air quality and health).⁴

A new build home in London is likely to be far more efficient. For example, all new Barratt London homes feature advanced systems and smart technologies, such as highly-efficient insulation and enhanced double-glazing.

Reasons a new build is more energy-efficient:

• Highly-efficient insulation
• Advanced double glazing
• Built to modern standards
• Up-to-date appliances

With the cost of gas and electric at record highs, opting for an energy-efficient new build home will provide a home environment that’s warm and healthy – and will likely help you save significant amounts of money. In fact, a brand-new Barratt London home could be up to 50% cheaper to run, meaning you could save up to £517 on your bills each year, compared to an updated Victorian equivalent.⁴

You can find out more about Barratt London’s energy-efficient homes by clicking below

 

 

3. That ‘new’ feeling

You can’t beat the feeling of opening your front door with the knowledge that everything inside is immaculate and brand new.

There’s a practical advantage, too. As everything is new, you won’t need to worry about replacing appliances or fixtures for many years. And in the unlikely event anything should go wrong – a broken boiler, for example – you’ll still have a manufacturer’s warranty, so getting it sorted won’t leave you with an unexpected bill.

 

 

4. No renovations necessary

City living often means long work hours and action-packed social schedules. With so much to see and do in London, why give up the time, energy and significant money required to renovate a ‘doer-upper’? This is especially true with the costs of renovations in London increasing up to 40% between 2020 and 2022.⁵

With a new build, your home is ready to enjoy living in from day one – without you needing to sacrifice your hard-earned salary or precious weekends.

5. Fast internet

Not so long ago this may not have seemed important, but with the internet playing a large role in virtually every aspect of city living – and with many of us working from home (at least some of the time) – having a fast and reliable internet connection can make all the difference to your quality of life.

Even in London, many properties are reliant on the older copper network for internet. In contrast, new build homes are likely to have faster options designed with the future in mind. We know how important broadband is to our customers, that's why we've partnered with Openreach, Hyperoptic and Virgin Media to ensure you have access to ultra-fast and reliable broadband from the day you move in.

You can find out more about our broadband partnerships by clicking below.

 

 

6. Locations chosen with the future in mind

New build developments in London are often created with regeneration, improved infrastructure and transport connections in mind. This means first-time buyers could get a home that proves to be excellent value in an area that wouldn’t have been considered before.

As an example, Barratt London’s Western Circus development in Acton is just minutes from the newly opened Elizabeth Line interchange at Acton Main Line. This means residents benefit from Central Line, Elizabeth Line and mainline rail ­– and get to enjoy living in one of the best-connected areas of West London.

East London has seen huge transformation in recent years, and our Upton Gardens development is part of a thriving new community. Not only is a there is a world to explore on the doorstep ­­– including 23 parks and more than 40 green spaces across the borough – but its fast connections link to Central London in under 15 minutes.

The right transport connections can also open up the advantages of a more rural environment while retaining the opportunities and attractions of the city. In South West London, our New Mill Quarter development has on-site gardens yet is also only moments from the beautiful 143-acre Beddington Gardens. Residents get to enjoy an outdoors lifestyle while being able to reach London Victoria in under 30 minutes from the adjacent Hackbridge station.

Whatever you’re looking for, as an award-winning homebuilder we're proud to create homes that are built to last in great locations across London. You can take a closer look at the developments we’re currently building in the capital below.

 

 

 

7. Safety in the city

When you settle into your new London home you’ll want it to be a secure refuge from the hustle and excitement of the city. A new build home has many advantages, as it’s likely to be equipped with modern locks, doors and security systems, fire resistant materials and advanced circuit breakers. All the wiring and plumbing will be brand new too – reducing the risk of dangerous electric faults and leaking pipes.

Your new build home may also provide a concierge service to keep tabs on anyone entering the building: they may be able to sign for and keep your post and online packages safe, too.

 

 

8. The reassurance of warranties

Buying your first home is a big moment – and investment. With a new build you get extra peace of mind as you settle in, with a ten-year NHBC Buildmark structural warranty and a two-year fixtures and fittings warranty. The NHBC Buildmark warranty cover comes in two parts:

Part one: Ten-year structural warranty

Your new home comes with a ten-year structural warranty, meaning that the cost of fixing damage caused by faults in specified parts of the home, usually the structural and weatherproofing elements, is covered.

 

Part two: Two-year fixtures and fittings warranty

During the first two years, you have the added reassurance that if something goes wrong within your home, and it’s covered by the two-year fixtures and fittings warranty, we will make sure it is put right.*

*Two-year builder warranty from legal completion directly from Barratt London, backed by NHBC's resolution service. Then eight years of structural defects insurance cover with NHBC.

 

9. Support across the homebuying journey

When you’re a first-time buyer in London you’re likely to have lots of questions. It can sometimes be hard to find the right answers, but when you buy a new build you are likely to have a dedicated contact you can turn to whenever you need help. With Barratt London, for example, you’ll have customer experience managers available to look after you from the moment you buy your new home. They can deal with any general queries, provide you with any options you may have, and keep you posted on what’s going on as we build your home.

It’s their job to make the process of buying your first home in London as stress-free as possible: from choosing custom wall tiles⁶ to turning on the heating for the first time.

 

 

10. Schemes available to help

It’s no secret that saving up for your first home can be a challenge. Fortunately, if you’re a first-time buyer looking to buy a new build home in London there’s almost certainly a scheme that could help.

You can find out about all our offers available by clicking below.

 

 

[1] https://www.gfmag.com/global-data/non-economic-data/best-cities-to-live

[2] https://propertyindustryeye.com/one-in-three-property-sales-fall-through-as-market-returns-to-familiar-conditions/

[3] https://www.newstatesman.com/chart-of-the-day/2022/01/british-homes-among-the-worst-insulated-in-europe

[4] Indicative figures, based on research from Briary Energy, November 2021

[5] https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/study-cost-of-renovating-a-bathroom-rises-40-percent-306067

[6] The build stage of a property will affect the choices available.