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To check a property developer before buying a new-build home, verify what is promised in writing, investigate the specific development, confirm which consumer code and warranty apply, and understand how inspection, defects and complaints will be handled. A familiar name or polished show home is not proof that a particular home will match your expectations. These checks focus on UK purchases; consumer-code protections and local requirements vary, so confirm the rules and documents that apply to your home.
What should I check before reserving a new-build home?
Before you reserve, gather the information that lets you assess both the developer and the home you may buy. Ask questions early, while you still have time to consider the answers and have the paperwork reviewed. GOV.UK advises: “Make sure you ask the developer for all material facts relating to the property before you commit to buying.” (GOV.UK’s home-buying guide.)
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- The home: written specification, included fixtures and fittings, finishes, and any work that will remain incomplete at handover.
- The development: planning-consent reference, information about future phases and facilities the developer knows about, and the standards the home is intended to meet.
- Your protections: the consumer code the developer says applies, whether your purchase qualifies for it, and the details of the actual warranty policy.
- The purchase documents: reservation terms and contract, reviewed by a conveyancer, especially if you are buying off-plan.
- Handover and aftercare: how the completion inspection works, how to record snags, the expected process for remedial work, and how to escalate a complaint.
Keep a record of what you ask, the replies you receive, and any sales material or promises you rely on. If an important answer is only verbal, ask for it in writing and compare it with the contract and specification before committing.
How do I check the development, not just the show home?
Ask for documents and details about the actual site and plot. A show home can help you understand the layout or finish, but the written information about your home and development is what you should use to check what is being sold.
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Request the planning-consent reference and ask what the developer knows about future phases or facilities. The Consumer Code for Home Builders’ requirements call for disclosure of planning information and information about future phases or facilities, as well as information about applicable standards, including building regulations and warranty-provider standards. The New Homes Quality Board’s guidance on legal documents, information, inspection and completion also sets out information obligations for homes within its scheme.
Compare what you receive with what the sales team has told you. For example, if a facility, finish or feature has been described as part of the offer, check whether the written information says it is included, when it will be available, or whether it is still planned. Do not assume that an illustration, show-home feature or general description establishes what your particular contract includes.
Ask which building and warranty standards the home is intended to meet, and where those standards are recorded. The purpose is not to judge construction quality from a label alone; it is to identify what the developer has represented and give your conveyancer a chance to check the relevant documents. If information is unclear or inconsistent, ask for a written explanation before you decide whether to proceed.
How can I verify a developer’s consumer-code protection?
Ask the developer which code covers the home, then check the current register and the eligibility conditions yourself. A code can provide protections for eligible buyers, but participation is not universal and does not replace checking your contract or the details of your own purchase.
The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB) Code covers areas including sales and marketing, information, build quality and handling issues for eligible customers of participating developers. Check the NHQB Register of Developers and read its homebuyer information about protection. Ask the developer to confirm in writing which code applies to your home if it is not clear.
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Do not stop at the question “Is this developer registered?” Find out whether the specific home and your purchase are covered, and whether timing matters. NHQB eligibility can depend on matters such as when a reservation was made and when the relevant arrangements or activation took effect. The NHQB’s FAQs provide further information; if your circumstances are not clear, ask the scheme and developer rather than assuming coverage.
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Some buyers may instead be covered by another consumer code, such as the Consumer Code for Home Builders. Confirm which scheme applies to this purchase, what its scope is and how to raise a concern under it. A code is a defined set of protections for eligible buyers, not a guarantee that the home will be defect-free or that every complaint will fall within its remit.
What should I ask about the new-build warranty?
Ask for the actual policy and check its scope, exclusions, start date and claims process. Do not treat a typical warranty duration as proof that every part of the property or land is covered.
GOV.UK says most new-build homes have a 10-year warranty for major structural problems and a 2-year warranty for general defects. It also cautions that a policy may not cover the whole property or attached land. These are typical periods, not a promise about your home: the specific policy determines what is covered, for how long and subject to what conditions.
Before you commit, request the name of the warranty provider and the policy documents. Check:
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- the date cover starts and how that date relates to completion;
- which parts of the home, and whether any attached land, are covered;
- what counts as a covered structural problem or general defect under this policy;
- the exclusions, limits and any steps you must take to preserve or make a claim; and
- how to notify the provider and what happens if you disagree with its decision.
Have your conveyancer review the warranty alongside the contract and other purchase documents. The Financial Ombudsman Service’s building-warranty guidance describes disputes that can include a builder failing to complete a build or conversion. It also illustrates why you should understand the actual policy and relevant complaint route rather than assuming every problem is dealt with in the same way.
What should I check in the reservation terms and contract?
Have a conveyancer review the reservation terms and contract before you commit, particularly when buying off-plan. These documents govern the purchase; sales explanations and marketing material should not be treated as a substitute for understanding their terms.
Ask the developer for material facts, the specification and information about what is included or unfinished. Then compare the answers with the documents. Ask your conveyancer to explain any differences, unclear obligations or important points you do not understand, including what the documents say about work still to be completed and the arrangements for completion. This article does not determine the legal effect of any individual term; that depends on the documents and your circumstances.
Buying before the home is complete makes written clarity particularly important. A drawing, description or conversation may not tell you by itself what the developer is contractually required to deliver. Ask which documents define the home and its inclusions, and make sure you understand how the purchase documents deal with the matters that matter to you. If a promise affects your decision, ask for it to be recorded in the relevant written information and have your conveyancer check it.
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Before completion, obtain a written explanation of the inspection and aftercare process. Confirm when you can inspect, how to record defects or unfinished items, who receives the list, what the stated process is for remedial work, and how to escalate if an issue is not resolved.
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The NHQB Code sets requirements about homes being complete at completion for homes within its scope. Check the NHQB guidance on inspection and completion if the home is covered by that Code, and ask your conveyancer what the relevant documents say about completion arrangements. If the developer says something will be finished or fixed before handover, ask for that commitment and the timing in writing.
A snagging inspection is a way to identify items that may need attention; it does not by itself prove that a developer is good or bad. The Consumer Code for Home Builders’ buyer guide says a purchaser can employ a snagging company and describes escalation routes for unresolved concerns. Whether you arrange an independent inspection is a choice, not a substitute for checking the developer’s written process, your contract and any applicable code or warranty.
Keep inspection notes, photographs if useful, copies of snag lists, correspondence and records of promised remedies. Send issues through the stated process and retain proof of what you reported and when. If the developer does not resolve a defect or concern, first follow its written complaint procedure and then check which code, warranty-provider or other route is available for your particular purchase.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsHow should I compare two property developers?
Compare the two specific developments using the same evidence categories rather than relying on brand reputation or a single headline claim. The available guidance does not establish a universal developer score, nor does a developer’s general reputation prove how a particular home will be delivered.
| What to compare | Evidence to request or check | Question to resolve |
|---|---|---|
| Home specification | Written specification, inclusions and details of unfinished work | Does the documentation match what you expect to receive? |
| Development information | Planning-consent reference and information about known future phases or facilities | Are the site details and representations clear and consistent? |
| Standards and warranty | Stated building and warranty standards; actual policy and provider | Do you understand the standards cited and the cover actually offered? |
| Consumer code | Developer’s stated code, current register and eligibility information | Does the scheme cover this developer, home and purchase? |
| Completion and defects | Inspection, handover, snagging, remedial-work and complaint procedures | Is there a clear route for recording and escalating problems? |
| Purchase documents | Reservation terms and contract reviewed by a conveyancer | Do the documents reflect the written information and your understanding? |
Use the same questions for each development, record the answers and note what remains unresolved. A clear written answer is more useful than an assurance that cannot be checked. Where documents differ or an important answer is missing, ask for clarification and have your conveyancer assess the purchase paperwork before you commit.
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What should I do if the developer does not resolve a problem?
Start with the developer’s written complaints procedure and preserve your evidence. The next route depends on the issue, the home’s warranty, the consumer code and the eligibility and timing rules that apply to your purchase; no single route covers every buyer or defect.
- Report the issue in writing. Describe the problem, identify the relevant home or work, state what remedy you are seeking and keep a copy. Save inspection notes, correspondence and any written promises.
- Follow the developer’s complaint process. Keep a dated record of each report and response. If a remedy has been promised, record what was agreed and the stated next step.
- Check your warranty route. For snagging, defects or poor build quality, NHQB guidance points buyers to the warranty provider where the home is still under warranty. Check the policy’s terms and the provider’s process.
- Check which consumer code applies. If the developer is registered and the purchase meets the relevant eligibility dates, the New Homes Ombudsman Service may be available. If not, another consumer code may apply. Verify eligibility rather than assuming it.
- Consider whether the complaint concerns the warranty itself. Depending on the policy and complaint, the Financial Ombudsman Service may be relevant. Its building-warranty information explains the type of disputes it can consider; check whether your issue and circumstances fall within its remit.
These routes have different scopes and conditions. Check current scheme guidance, your policy and your purchase documents, and get advice suited to the circumstances if you are unsure where to take a dispute.
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How we selected the checks
The checks above follow the practical issues identified in UK government home-buying guidance, the NHQB Code and information for homebuyers, the Consumer Code for Home Builders’ requirements and buyer guide, and Financial Ombudsman Service guidance on building warranties. Together, these sources support assessing the paperwork, development information, scheme eligibility, warranty, completion and complaint arrangements. They do not provide a universal ranking of developers or evidence that a company’s reputation predicts the delivery of an individual home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I reserve a new-build home before my mortgage offer is final?
This article’s sources do not set out mortgage-offer rules or the financial consequences of a particular reservation. Before paying or signing, ask your conveyancer to explain the reservation terms, deadlines and what happens if your purchase cannot proceed.
Does an NHQB-registered developer mean every home it sells is covered?
No: registration alone does not establish that a particular home or buyer qualifies. Check the current register and confirm the scheme’s eligibility and timing conditions for your purchase with the developer and NHQB.
Who should I contact first about a defect after moving in?
Use the developer’s written defect or complaint process and check your warranty documents for notification requirements. If the issue remains unresolved, the appropriate further route depends on the warranty, code and eligibility conditions that apply.
Can a snagging inspection guarantee that a new-build has no defects?
No inspection should be treated as a guarantee that no defect exists or will emerge. A snagging inspection can help identify items to raise, while the developer’s process, contract, warranty and any applicable code determine how concerns can be pursued.
