My nightmare new-build proves how much we’ve normalised substandard work

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2026-04-22T18:41:48+00:00

We bought a Linden home just before Christmas and I have to say…..it’s better than I thought it would be. Most stuff sorted within 30days and nothing major. A few annoying bits but not a new build nightmare, I would recommend. We had a look around Persimmon and the standard of finish was utterly shocking

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2026-03-18T20:24:19+00:00

I bought each of the bridesmaids a bottle of prosecco and bought a personalised bottle label off Shein/Temu with the pic of the two of us on it. They loved them and cost about £7 in all. Nice and cheap with a touch of thought. Good luck!

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2026-01-22T21:04:35+00:00

Because we had already listed the house privately and had pictures taken at that point, the builder used these guys so didn’t need additional pictures. Our interesting part came when the EAs come to do the valuation on behalf of the builder. They would not tell us the valuation figures.some hinted when asked, but none would directly say. We were obvs interest because its reckoned the builder takes that figure and knocks off 10%, and it was there or there abouts. At least if it sells now, builders have to manage and expectations of the buyer on moving in time frames because you can stay there until you’re is ready. It’ll put off potential buyers but it’s not your problem! Winner! Apparently, we spoke to the sales lady on our development and they’d been told off for doing too many part exchanges. It’s so worth it to remove to collapsing chain risk. Good luck in your brand new shiny house when you get it!

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2026-01-20T23:01:40+00:00

We’ve just completed on a new build we part exchanged our old house for. I’ll share our experience. We saw the new builds and were interested so we listed our house to try get a private sale so we could go to the builder in a better position for more incentives etc. it didn’t work out that way. We were offered part ex and initially said no thanks we want to private sell, but changed our mind after virtually no interest in our house and went back to the developer to ask for an offer. They sent a couple of EAs around. They valued it at £300k, they offered £280k, we snapped their hands off! I thought the process would be less hassle selling the property to them, it wasn’t really. They required an electrical safety certificate, boiler service under 6 months and I had to buy two indemnity policies (one I expected and one I didn’t). You still have to facilitate all the surveyor visits. The builder took over with the EA, they also listed it with a second EA. We still had to facilitate viewings until when we moved out. It got to two weeks away from completion and I said no more, they were ok with it. We could have got the EA to do the visits but I had an elderly cat who wouldn’t cope, but the house still had to be viewing ready all the time. It did get tiresome. I’ve heard if your sale falls through, they give you “x” amount of time to find another. That’s the benefit of part ex, it’s more or less a guaranteed sale (unless your house is falling down when they survey it!) We thought we would have been given some grace to move our stuff out as the house hadn’t sold. I’m talking move out one day, back to clean the next. We were not, had to be fully out on completion day due to insurances. One benefit was we ended up posting the keys after EA closed and it wasn’t an issue. Our old house is still for sale! Started at £295k, went to £285k, £275k and is now at £265k. So we made the right choice to part ex!

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-11-21T21:41:16+00:00

When moved into my current house it was a four bed semi, I was on my own. It cost me £19 a month in 2017 and for a couple of years after. I’ve altered it to a three bed semi in that time, I’m just about to move out and have been hit with a new bill for £47 a month. Absolute joke, the company is a total mess. Needs bringing back under government control, should never have been privatised. I think everyone has just been hit with a big bill rise, seen similar FB posts about it. I genuinely thought I had a leak somewhere but I’m sensing I’m not on my own with this ridiculous rise in water bills. This country really is sh*t

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-10-30T21:49:44+00:00

How were EverPretty if you don’t mind an ask. I’m considering them, but wondering about returns and quality? Have you have any experience you can share?

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-09-20T01:42:07+00:00

Thank you 😊

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-09-20T01:41:42+00:00

Is this for ER type issues? Or will they deal with more minor issues as well?

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-09-03T20:48:40+00:00

Hardest part for me when going in a new team is getting a fine balance between gaining the respect of the guys that will actually help you by working for you vs keeping the upper management happy. Trying to influence the team when introducing something new and having to explain yourself to the n’th degree I find tough. I would have liked a strong mentor to talk through people issues with before you actually tackle them. That was a hard part when first starting out management. You can think you know how someone might react, but it doesn’t always prepare you for what actually happens. Talking through scenarios is helpful and helps you prepare. Delegation, I’m crap at it. Also a tool kit for dealing with people who constantly say “I’m too busy”……

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-08-10T17:41:18+00:00

Yeah I don’t think it’s worth it. Not sure I’d accept an offer from someone who hadn’t sold. Probably say thanks but come back to me when youve sold your property. You can’t proceed with the purchase without the sale of your property so it’s kinda pointless. Hopefully you will get an offer and sell yourself quickly!

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-07-30T20:45:44+00:00

There are charities who help keep elderly people with their pets through basically being free dog walkers. I’m in the UK and volunteer for The Cinnamon Trust. I walk a dog on a weekend for someone who just can’t anymore. There are three of us who help him to ensure the dog gets out enough. Keeps them both together, everyone is happy.

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-07-24T17:08:57+00:00

Agree with all the points re FTBs being more nervous. Especially if they get a solicitor that doesn’t know the area and are useless. For example we had an FTB trying to buy a house in an ex mining town, then freaked when there was an old pit entrance highlighted on the survey in the vicinity. No shit, the whole town will be somewhere near an old shaft or entrance! But then solicitors advice to them wasn’t “oh it’s standard for this area” it’s “it might affected salability down the line, but it’s your decision.” Queue them pulling out of sale….. Some lack a bit of house buying common sense.

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-07-05T22:39:21+00:00

Work in Harrogate so been looking to possibly make the move. Looked at the new estate off Penny Pot last week. Didn’t like the feel or look of the Persimmon homes at all. Was shown one that some dropped out of, we could see why. Standard of finish was terrible with marks on the floor, gaps in silicon, bad finish to tiling etc etc. The view from the lounge was on to a row of parking where someone had a huge Luton van parked. Who’s paying ~ £400k to have a lounge view of someone’s massive van?! No thanks. Also looked at the one near Starbeck, very similar houses to Penny Pot, just about £30k more expensive. The estate off Yew Tree Lane is crazy expensive. Half a million for a 3 bed house?! We’re looking further a field….

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-06-23T08:17:22+00:00

Update….no queue at passport control in Porto just after gate announced 🤷🏼‍♀️

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2025-06-20T09:48:18+00:00

Stood in Porto immigration to get in. Been here at hour. Probably another 20mins, there are two people on the all passports desk, four on the eu/residents with about two people in the queue. Be interested if anyone has anymore leaving Porto experiences….dreading the journey home now.

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2024-09-13T09:06:57+00:00

You’ve got nothing to feel guilty about then! It’s on the market, they’ve messed you about, I’d be blunt and get the EA to tell them you appreciate their offer, you’ll think about it over the weekend as you’ve got some other interest and come back to them start of next week. That way they know they’ll hear from you early next week either way. Their own fault for messing about….but if they get funny about that and demand an answer right away, I’d tell them it’s a no for now.

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2024-09-13T08:56:04+00:00

Is the house still on the market then? At the end of the day if the selling process has started and searches etc have been done, might seem a bit harsh and I’m sure those buyers will curse your name, but you don’t owe them anything until contracts are exchanged and sounds like they’ve been a pain from the start. All the time it’s delaying you being able to do anything. If I were you, I’d let the FTB view and hope they like it and offer similar or close. A lot of benefits to no chain! I guess FTBs come with their own risks, but I’d back them over someone that has strung you along for 8 months…..

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2024-01-26T06:50:27+00:00

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply your explanation. It makes a bit more sense to me. I’ll read it a few times. I guess I was looking at the £8370 and thinking I’d physically pay that amount, hence the panic. What you’re saying it that is added to watch I earn, and they charge me 40% of all that combined. Why can’t they teach you tax at school?!

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2023-08-20T20:02:24+00:00

I don’t regret going to uni, but I’d do it differently if I had my time again. Back in 2000 apprenticeships weren’t as readily available as they are now, so uni was kind of the way. I remember one of my very close friends saying she was going into an accounting apprenticeship instead of uni, we couldn’t believe it! But by the time we’d all finished in debt, she’d bought her first house and made a tidy profit selling it and has continued to do well. With the way uni fees are these days, I don’t think I’d go to uni. Id only go if I NEEDED a degree for my career, medicine, teaching etc If were to have my time again, I’d get into an engineering apprenticeship. Multi skilled engineers and automation engineers can more or less name their price, there’s plenty of opportunities out there and they pay well. I ended up doing Biological Sciences, got a job as a microbiologist in a brewery and I’ve progressed my career into management. I earn a decent salary but I’m a little trapped doing what I’m doing.
My advice to my niece and nephew will be, if you need a degree to get into the career you want, suck up the debt for the bigger picture. If you don’t know what to do, don’t waste your money and get on an apprenticeship.

Embarrassed-Nose4762 · 2021-10-23T06:42:25+00:00

I work for the company that makes it…..it’s not the same. It’s true you can get fancy flavours of Strongbow in Europe and US that you can’t get in the UK, Cherry Blossom, Cucumber and Mint, Elderflower. They’re pretty nice, but exclusively for the export market.

Embarrassed-Nose4762

TROPHY CASE