New Build vs. Tried and Tested

As with everything in life there are pros and there are cons in every large decision that we face included the purchase of a home. Whether you opt for an older property or decide on a brand new build can hinge on a number of factors, both options have good points and bad points.

New Build Homes – The Case For
A new build home can be very appealing. Everything is new and, in theory, in good working order. You may have the opportunity to choose from a range of kitchen units, worktops and tiling in both the kitchen and the bathroom(s).

The roof, windows and doors will all be in sound condition and compliant with current British Standards. Fitted bedroom furniture is a popular feature and many house builders will give you the choice to have a fire place or not and to choose between French and patio doors.

In essence you have a wide choice and a blank slate to work with. Yes, you will probably have to buy flooring for the whole house but you won’t have to rip out someone else’s and your new home comes with guarantees. These are the pros to a new build, but what are the cons?

New Build Homes – The Case Against
New build houses generally have smaller rooms. Some show homes may even have no doors, giving a false indication of space.

Settling of the property can cause stairs to come away from walls and nails to ‘pop’ out of walls. In extreme cases cracks can appear.

There will be very few light fittings; no window dressings, no flooring and the chances are your back garden will be left resembling a building site.
These are the downsides to a new build but are tried and tested homes really any better?

The Pre-Owned Property – The Up Side
Generally in older properties the room sizes are more generous and the chances are the house will have done all its settling.

Gardens will be more mature and possibly larger depending on location.
Fixtures and fitting may be sold with the property providing a stop gap between moving in and having to replace curtains, carpets and lights. White goods are more likely to be left as well.

Depending on your taste you may find a suitable property that you simply bring your furniture to and you are good to go. These up sides can be more financial than aesthetic in nature but what if you really don’t like the décor?

The Pre- Owned Property – The Down Side
If the property is really old you may find that you are entering a time warp filled with avocado bathroom suites and Paisley patterns carpets. If these are not to your taste they can be hard to live with. You may find yourself faced with the cost of replacing flooring and bathrooms as well as kitchen units and woodchip wall paper.

The older the property the more likely some structural work maybe required if it hasn’t already been undertaken. This is the biggest downside. Many glorious, well-proportioned, large properties that are 100 years of age or more can become money pits.

If you are looking for some practical advice? Think it through carefully before setting your heart on anything. Keen on an older property? There is no harm in consulting a professional like an architect who can tell you about the area, the property and the long term challenges you may face.

Self Build Strathaven, Even More Images

Just back from Strathaven again today and have taken a few more pictures. Follow the complete house build photo library here

New Build House, Uphall, Broxburn

I wanted to write today to let you all know that at block architects we have and can assist with the certification of your new build even when we have not designed the house through our company. Our Clients on this project Mr & Mrs Swanston received a very good drawing package from their Building Consultant who was unable to certify the build due to the fact that the Consultant did not have adequate PII cover.

The main contractor being a great Advocate of our business invited us to act on behalf of the Client who accepted our fee proposal to certify the build. This involves 8-10 site visits at key intervals throughout the build:-

• Site Scrape


• Foundation Trenches


• Visual Drainage Inspection


• Foundations


• Timber Kit Erection


• Windows Door and Roof Coverings


• External brick or block


• First Fix


• Completion

Following key site inspections at the above stages we will Certify the build esuring that the banks interest is looked after as well as that of the Client's interest.

Our Certification covers the build post 6years from construction. Now in theory there should be little to no come back on this certfication process as the build has been inspected regularly.

Where does this differ to e.g NHBC sign off. Well they are similar however I know from previous experience that NHBC do not necessarily conduct the same number of site visist as I would. The only draw back with this is that if something should go wrong with the build with NHBC cover that they will fix it but to my knowledge do not compensate for the heartache of post construction repair and remedial works.

In my opinion it's always good to get an Architect or Project Manager involved in the inspection stages. Make sure that the Professional has adequate cover.

If you want to find out more about this you can contact us through our official web page or please feel free to contact me by email

Update on Strathaven Self Build

Following my recent visit to the site in Strathaven South Lanarkshire we have posted today some pictures of the foundations and underbuild. Great progress made by the contractor in only a week.

As Part of our service we are certifying the build which means that we will visit the site on say 9 -10 occasions to inspect the built at the key stages of construction.

Particulalry where self build is concerned this is necessary for funding purposes. As most people borrow money from the bank or building society these organisations will look for an Architects to inspect the build and provide certifcations. Architect's carry Professional Indemnity Insurance which can be called on should the Client require to challenge the policy.

However at block architects we are very knowledgable in self build and consider that you will receive a fantastic service. Click here for our self build video tips.

House Projects by Block Architects, Scotland

I thought that I would add a couple of images by block architects, scotland. I want to show you some of the house designs that we have completed over the last year or so. These houses were designed by us specifically to meet the Client's brief.

They are relatively standard family homes situated within everyday streetscapes and reflect a standard of work which we are happy to deliver.

For these Clients we provided a design services, planning & building warrant, tender process and architectureal sign off all for bank monitoring etc. We have a few houses going through similar processes right now and we think it would be great for you to see them so here goes.

Why don’t all Planning Departments work to the same Planning Guidelines?

I love it when a project starts on site. It’s always refreshing to see the ground breaking with the first cut. Let’s face it the drawings and planning permissions and building warrants etc are all just a formality to get us to the stage that we all want to get to and that’s the start of the build. This is what the Client really wants to see. It’s like Christmas morning for the Client. The arrival of the JCB marks the first tear of wrapping paper.

I’ve attached a few images of a new bungalow build for a farmer in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire. Block Architects didn’t design the house we simply negotiated a design through the Planning and Building Warrant Process. The house was supplied by a local timber kit designer/manufacturer and we were happy to assist.

The Planning Process on this house was interesting in that National Planning Policy required the Council to condition us to improve the Carbon Footprint by an increase of 10% over and above the requirements of the current building control regulations. I have been involved recently with other similar builds in other local authority areas and yet we haven’t been asked to meet the same regulations. This is no slight on South Lanarkshire Council. At the end of the day this has the overall benefit to the environment and as Architects I am wholly in support of getting Client’s to think positively of these extra ‘burdens’.

I suppose the question of reaching congruency between and within local authorities departments is difficult to answer but surely if this edict comes from high it is a no brainer that all authorities should adopt it?