Should you buy a new build? Some pros, cons and home truths
Ever walked round a show home at a new development? It’s easy to be tempted by the lush new carpets, blemish-free décor, and tiles so shiny you can see your reflection in them.
The sales rep might even talk up ‘brand new’ homes as opposed to inferior ‘second-hand’ properties. But don’t automatically get taken in by the sales patter.
‘New’ isn’t always a good thing when it comes to properties. Although it isn’t necessarily a bad thing, either. Whether you should buy a new build or not isn’t black and white.
So, let’s take a fresh look at the pros and cons, and try to separate fact from fiction.
The big pros
Firstly, new builds tend to be safe. They’re built to the very latest building regulations.
They have more safety features like fire doors on escape routes, better locks on doors and windows, and even improved lighting and security alarms.
They’re better for the environment too, with double or triple-glazed windows, new appliances, plus insulated walls and roofs. They’ll also either have an efficient condensing boiler or a heat pump. You might even get solar panels. Very nice indeed.
Zoopla has found that 85% of new builds have an energy efficiency rating of A or B. Only 4% of older homes meet this standard.
Meanwhile, Rightmove claimed this year that new homes can be up to four times as energy-efficient. That’s if they’ve been kitted out with energy-saving building materials and smart tech.
What’s more, new build homes come with guarantees that should give you peace of mind. For example, the National House Building Council (NHBC) gives a builder warrantee and guarantee for 2 years after completion and then insurance cover against defects for 8 years. Around 80% of new build homes are covered by this. Smaller developers might use different schemes.
There’s also a Consumer Code for Home Builders (CCHB) which many builders follow. This promises to treat you fairly and protect your rights. Again, it protects you for 10 years if there are major issues once your new home’s been built.
A ‘small’ con?
New builds are often known for being smaller than older properties. And, unfortunately, this is often true. You could get less living space, a smaller garden, or less storage (on average).
This is backed up by Local Authority Building Control (LABC) research, which looked at the size of over 10,000 homes built in each decade. It found that the combined size of the average home’s living room, bedroom, bathroom(s) and kitchen is now smaller than at any time since the 1930s.
In fact, they’ve got smaller every decade since the 1970s. For example, the average new house was a chunky 83.33m2 back then. By 2018 it was a slender 67.82m2. It’s almost like new builds have been through a hot wash too many times.
Maintenance pros and cons
Now let’s move to shades of grey territory – starting with the popular idea that new builds are a lot easier than older homes. In other words, you can rock up, move in and get on.
Is this true? Well, sort of. There’s no chain to wait for, you might not need to do a full structural survey, and everything inside is shiny and new.
But have you considered that building dates sometimes get delayed? If your new build isn’t ready on your moving date, you might need to stay in temporary digs and put your belongings in storage.
It’s not always straightforward with surveys, either. Sure, you shouldn’t need to pay for a structural one. But it’s still a good idea to arrange a ‘snagging survey’.
Snagging surveys spot all the annoying things that new builds are sometimes known for: loose tiles, chipped surfaces, or doors that don’t shut properly.
So, although everything in new builds is pristine, don’t forget that annoying little problems can take time to sort out too.
Research by the Home Builders’ Federation found that 95% of new build buyers reported defects. And a third (33%) reported a whopping 16 problems or more! Although 88% were still satisfied with the quality of the home overall.
Cost pros and cons
Now let’s look at the price of new builds. You’ll hear they’re more expensive. But is ‘the new build premium’ – the idea that new homes could cost 10-20% more than a similar sized older homes – a real thing?
The answer is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. Yes, there’s usually less room for negotiation when buying a new property. The price is often fixed. And you will normally pay more for a home with a new kitchen, new carpets, new appliances, and new everything else.
But think what you could end up paying if you buy an older home? You might want to replace the kitchen and update the bathrooms at some point. And this can cost big bucks. Plus, you might have to spend more on maintenance and repairs.
What’s more, the average new build energy bill is 57% cheaper according to Zoopla. This saves their owners £1,685 per year. That’s surely enough to energise new-build believers?
About incentives
Things aren’t necessarily black and white when it comes to the various incentives to buy new builds too.
Yes, it’s true that you can sometimes save. Some developers might even pay your stamp duty – a nice little bonus considering the thresholds changed in April 2025. You could also check out the First Homes scheme, which helps first time buyers in England buy new builds with a 30-50% discount.
But not every incentive available applies to new builds only. Although the building industry’s Deposit Unlock Scheme lets you buy a brand-new property with a 5% deposit, the government’s ‘Freedom to Buy’ initiative (a new permanent Mortgage Guarantee Scheme) will effectively offer the same thing.
What’s more, whisper it quietly but 95% loan-to-value mortgages might not suit you anyway. It depends on your circumstances and the interest rate you’re happy to pay.
We’ve even started to offer low deposit mortgages, where you can buy with a deposit of just £10,000 too. You can find more about our mortgages, which includes a mortgage for new builds, on our website if you’re interested.
So, should you buy that new build?
The simple answer is maybe. New builds have both their pros and their cons. It depends on what’s important to you. It might depend on the developer’s quality and reputation, too.
So, to help you ponder this property pickle, here are some more results from the House Builders Federation survey we mentioned earlier.
Facts often speak for themselves. Although many factors could have the final say.
79.4% were satisfied that their home was completed on time.
85.2% were satisfied with the service provided by their builder when buying.
83.1% were satisfied with the service the builder provided after they moved in.
90% of new build home buyers would ‘recommend their builder to a friend’.
88% were very satisfied or fairly satisfied with the quality of their home.
7% were very dissatisfied or fairly dissatisfied.
This content was accurate when published on 27/02/2026.
If you’re thinking of buying a home, whether you’re a first time buyer or property veteran, you can apply for a Decision in Principle online. Check out My Home Manager in our Mobile Banking app too. You’ll find handy packing tips to lighten the load.