Gardens, garages and beyond…

…What to ask your builder when buying a new build home

The external appearance of a home, and additional features such as garages and gardens can have a big impact on both desirability and value of a property. In fact, some estate agents estimate a garden adds approximately 20% to the value of a property¹. Recognising the importance of external features, the Consumer Code for Home Builders covers gardens, boundary, fencing, communal areas and curtilage of new homes as well as the home itself. 

Knowing what to expect from these aspects and what to ask about – particularly when the home you are buying is still under construction – can help ensure you know what you’re getting and flag any potential issues early-on. Based on the Code’s requirements and some of the disputes our Independent Dispute Resolution Scheme (IDRS) has handled, we’ve highlighted some key aspects to ask your builder about:

Garden

• Design: Find out about the layout of the garden and any slopes, gradients or steps. These should be shown on any plans or drawings you are given, but it may not be immediately clear how that will look in practice. Don’t be afraid to ask your builder for clarification, including pictures of other similar completed gardens to give you a better idea of how it will look.
• Finish: Your builder should confirm the finish of any patio or other landscaping features that may be included, including whether turf will be laid.
• Grass: Not all builders will automatically provide turf for areas intended for grass, and where they do, some may do so as a gesture rather than as part of the agreed specification in your contract so it may not be covered by your home warranty. Ask your builder to clarify what is and isn’t included in your contract. If turf is to be laid by the builder, seek advice on how best to look after it after it has been laid. 
• Garden areas (within 20 metres of the habitable accommodation): Your builder should ensure the garden areas have been prepared by removing construction rubbish and debris and adding topsoil ready for planting, turfing and seeding.
• Waterlogging: Your builder should prevent waterlogging, usually within three to four metres of the habitable parts of your home depending on your warranty provider’s technical standards. This may include providing suitable drainage or using the appropriate soil. Don’t be afraid to ask your builder what steps they have taken to prevent waterlogging.

Garages/outbuildings and boundaries

• Finish/materials: Your builder must provide details of how outbuildings will be finished and what materials will be used. If anything is not clear, ask for clarification as issues are often easier to resolve early in the process.
• Garages: Ask about internal measurements, including garage door sizes, to make sure it will meet your needs before you reserve. Your builder will need to meet standards of construction for the foundations, walls and floors of a garage so it is structurally stable and resists water getting in. However, remember garages are not designed to be habitable spaces and so may not be 100% watertight. 
• Parking spaces: Your builder must tell you about car-parking arrangements on your development, including the size, number and location of parking spaces assigned to your home. It’s a good idea to ask about visitor parking spaces or any other parking restrictions on your development so you know what to expect. 

External communal spaces

• Landscaping/gardens: Many developments include some communal landscaped areas or gardens which are often planted up as part of the initial scheme. Ask your builder about how these will be maintained and who is responsible for what. Your builder must tell you about any management services and provide an estimate of likely costs.
• Playgrounds: Many schemes also include a playground. These are sometimes taken on by local authorities to manage but check with your builder where these facilities are to be located, how they will be maintained and who will be responsible for them.
• Roads and streetlights: Ask your builder to confirm which parts of the development they expect to be adopted by the local authority and what responsibilities and costs are likely to fall to homeowners. Ask about the location of any streetlights so that you are aware if any will impact on the home you are looking to buy.

Third party services

All developments will need third party services such as utilities and transport, meaning ventilation pipes, broadband cabinets, bus stops and other ‘street furniture’ will be sited around the development. It’s a good idea to ask your builder about these facilities as they could affect your decision to purchase a particular plot.

Although there is a lot here to consider, most of these points will automatically be covered by your builder in the pre-contract information they provide as part of their obligations under the Code. However, it’s important that you fully understand the information you’ve been given, especially in situations where you can’t view your new home because it may be under construction.  By asking questions and seeking clarification from the builder, it will help you know exactly what to expect from the external elements of your home and you can feel excited about moving in.

Don’t forget: Ask as many questions as you need to and keep a note of the responses from your builder in case you need to refer to them later. 

For more tips, take a look at:

• Our resources centre and blogs to help you plan for your new home
• Recent case studies, particularly those relating to garden/garage disputes.

¹ Source: Sold.co.uk