New Build Conveyancing Solicitors – Get An Instant Quote

Expert Conveyancing Lawyers

Our expert team of specialist lawyers offer a bespoke service to clients purchasing new homes to achieve the stringent demands of developers.

Buying a new build home is incredibly exciting but it does come with a unique set of challenges. The process can be complex and daunting especially when you are required to pay an upfront reservation fee and agree a purchase price on a home that may not yet have been built by the house builder.

As a buyer in this environment pressure can mount especially when the developer is pushing you to meet very short exchange deadlines coupled with the threat of the loss of your reservation fees. There are also multiple and unique steps relevant to these transactions such as building regulations approvals, planning permission and planning regulations as well as NHBC certificates.

Get an Instant New Build Conveyancing Quote

You can get a free, instant new build conveyancing quote using our convenient tool. There isn’t any obligation to proceed with us or even to input any contact details, it is just a useful way to find out how much we charge for new build conveyancing services. Any quote can be tailored to your specific needs using some basic property information.

• Free and easy to use
• Personalised quote for your specific needs
• Your quote will include all fees payable as well as an estimate of any stamp duty land tax due
• There is no obligation to proceed, but if you want to then it is easy to contact us.

How can our conveyancing Solicitors help?

A good conveyancing solicitor will seamlessly guide buyers through the new build conveyancing process and they will ensure that exchange of contracts occurs in accordance with the requirements of the house builders reservation agreement.

Our team of specialist lawyers offer a bespoke service to parties purchasing new build properties so that they achieve the stringent demands set by developers.

There are many matters that will need to be resolved prior to your completion date. These can include considerations such as whether the estates roads are finished, whether the buildings will attract future management fees to maintain communal areas, or whether there is a risk that builds will be delayed by weather conditions. Your mortgage lender could also raise issues over planning permissions or your build guarantee. Should the need arise we will seek to vary your contract price and we will look to amend any agreements that do not work in your favour.

The New Build Conveyancing Process

New build conveyancing differs from standard property purchases because it involves additional legal checks, agreements with developers, and potential delays due to construction timelines. You can expect a typical process to look something like this:

• Reserve the property: Buyers will usually pay a reservation fee (usually a few hundred pounds), and will receive a reservation agreement including the price, deadlines and key terms.
• Instruct a solicitor: They will oversee the writing of the contracts, manage the legal due diligence and searches, as well as manage any transfer of funds from this point forward.
• Get a mortgage in place: Buyers will likely work with a mortgage broker to obtain an agreement in principle. Later in the process buyers will get a formal mortgage offer which is valid for 6 months and must have a new build warranty.
• Legal due diligence: The solicitor will conduct a review of the developers contract, title investigation, check building regulations and planning permission are in place, and conduct local authority searches.
• Exchange of contracts: This mostly occurs within 28 days of reserving the plot. The deposit is paid at this point and a ‘long-stop date’ is put in place which protects the buyer from delays. Once contracts have been exchanged, the purchase becomes legally binding.
• Build completion and inspections: The developer provides a completion notice around 2 weeks before the property is finished. The buyer then organises a snagging survey and if issues arise, the developer has to rectify them.
• Completion and move-in: The solicitor will organise the final transfer of funds and the keys will then be handed over to the new owners. After this, the developer is responsible for any major issues in the first two years. 

At Eric Robinson Solicitors, we understand that the conveyancing process can be stressful, and new build conveyancing can be especially complex. We have decades of experience in managing new build purchases and work efficiently and professionally to ensure the process is as smooth as possible. 

How does new build conveyancing differ from conveyancing?

There are many differences between new build and standard conveyancing:

• Tighter Deadlines: New build purchases typically require exchange of contracts within 28 days, whereas standard transactions allow more flexibility.
• Long-stop completion deadlines: These are put in place because buyers will commit before construction is complete and therefore need protecting against delays.
• Tougher legal checks: A solicitor will need to assess planning permissions, building regulations, and warranties, verifying that the developer has proper rights to sell.
• New Build Warranty Requirement: Properties must have a 10-year structural warranty (NHBC or LABC) which is a unique requirement for new builds. 
• Mortgage challenges: Mortgage lenders have stricter criteria for new builds. 
• Snagging process: Unlike a standard home purchase, new build purchases require snagging inspections to identify defects for the developer to rectify.

Why Choose Eric Robinson Solicitors? 

At Eric Robinson Solicitors, our lawyers are experts in this area and have extensive knowledge and work closely with developers, their Solicitors and mortgage companies to streamline the buying process. We understand that the process of purchasing a new build is different from buying a second hand property and we are experts in what we do.

You can find out how much we charge for new build conveyancing by using our instant conveyancing quote tool. It is free with no obligation to proceed but includes all the different legal fees you should expect to pay and can be tailored to your specific circumstances if you enter some basic property information 

If you choose to work with us you will have direct access to a specialist conveyancer from day one who will deal with your new build purchase. They will always be working to resolve any issues affording you peace of mind that when you reach the day of your completion and become a new property owner everything is fit for purpose.

We are familiar with the Help to Buy Scheme, the Forces Help to Buy Scheme, and Part Exchanges as well as any recent developments regarding stamp duty. You can rest assured that we have the knowledge and expertise to take care of the whole process for you.

Contact Your Closest Office Today

To speak to us and find out more about how we can help you with your new build conveyancing process, get in touch with one of our local branches at the following locations: 

• Southampton
• Hedge End
• Chandlers Ford
• Winchester
• Lymington 
• Shoreham-by-Sea
• Richmond Upon Thames