Buying a new home is one of the biggest decisions most of us will ever make. Glossy brochures, stylish show homes and promises of energy efficiency make it easy to fall in love. Yet every week at Tacman we welcome hundreds of clients who have just collected the keys to their brand-new property and discovered that new does not always mean perfect. This comprehensive 2025 guide, written specifically for anyone buying a new build home or searching for reliable new build services, reveals the most common problems we see across the UK, backed by the latest statistics and real buyer experiences.

Why Almost Every New Build Needs Professional Help

Snagging remains the number one reason homeowners turn to new build services. The Home Builders Federation’s 2025 National New Homes Customer Satisfaction Survey found that a shocking 93.7% of buyers reported defects after moving in, with one in four discovering more than 15 separate issues. Premier Guarantee and LABC warranty data show the average new home contains between 100 and 200 snags ranging from minor cosmetic blemishes to functional faults that affect daily life. Professional snagging inspections carried out by Tacman regularly uncover three to four times more problems than homeowners spot themselves in the first few weeks. 

Poor Workmanship and Rushed Completion Schedules

Britain needs 340,000 new homes a year, yet we are delivering fewer than half that number. This relentless pressure means site managers frequently hand over properties before every detail is finished properly. A 2024 CIOB survey revealed that 62% of construction professionals felt under pressure to complete homes too quickly. The consequences appear in cold bridges where insulation has been poorly installed, boilers that fail to heat the whole house evenly, gaps around pipework allowing draughts and damp, and roof tiles that lift in high winds because clips were missed. When you are buying a new build home, understanding that speed often trumps quality on volume developments is essential.

Cracks, Movement and Structural Concerns That Worry Buyers

While catastrophic structural failure is exceptionally rare thanks to ten-year warranties, cracking and movement issues affect 41% of new-build buyers within the first two years according to the HomeOwners Alliance. Shrinkage cracks appear as fresh plaster and timber dry out, differential settlement occurs where extensions meet the main house, and expansive clay soils cause heaving that was not properly accounted for during foundation design. Most cracks are cosmetic and covered under the two-year builder liability period, but distinguishing between harmless shrinkage and something more serious requires an experienced eye. This is one of the core new build services Tacman provides to give buyers complete peace of mind.

Plumbing and Drainage Problems That Surface After Handover

Leaking pipes, low water pressure, gurgling drains and blocked soil stacks consistently rank in the top five complaints we hear. Common causes include plastic push-fit plumbing not fully seated, incorrect falls on waste pipes, shared drainage systems that were never properly pressure-tested, and refurbishment services by Tacman that help address these underlying issues, and airlocks in unvented hot water cylinders. The Consumer Code for Home Builders reported that plumbing and drainage disputes accounted for 18% of all formal complaints in 2025. These issues often only become apparent once the house is occupied and water is flowing constantly, which is why many buyers now book new build services before legal completion.

Electrical Faults from Annoying to Potentially Dangerous

Tripping RCDs, sockets that stop working, flickering lights and overheating downlighters are everyday discoveries. More concerning are incorrectly wired consumer units, missing equipotential bonding to gas and water pipes, and USB sockets that fail within weeks. Part P certification is supposed to guarantee safety, but rushed sign-offs and subcontractor pressure mean problems frequently appear after the electrician has left the site. Independent electrical testing has become a standard part of the new build services package for savvy buyers.

Inadequate Sound Insulation Between Properties

Modern lightweight construction transmits noise far more than traditional solid brick homes. Approved Document E sets minimum standards, yet many developers rely on pre-completion testing carried out in empty properties, producing misleadingly good results. Once furniture, televisions and children arrive, the reality becomes clear: footsteps from the flat above sound like a herd of elephants, conversations next door are audible word-for-word, and plumbing noise travels through party walls. This is one of the fastest-growing complaint categories when buying a new build home in terraced houses or apartments.

Lack of Storage and Poor Space Planning That Drives Buyers Mad

Show homes are dressed to look spacious and airy, but real life requires somewhere to put vacuum cleaners, suitcases, and Christmas decorations. The RIBA’s The Way We Live Now report revealed that 68% of people living in homes built after 2000 felt they lacked sufficient storage compared with just 22% in pre-1940s properties. Typical complaints include tiny hallways with no room for coats or shoes, kitchens with barely enough cupboard space for a week’s shopping, bedrooms too narrow for standard double wardrobes, and loft conversion with no proper hatch or flooring. Many buyers discover only after moving in that the beautiful open-plan layout comes at the expense of practicality.

Energy Performance That Falls Short of the Promises

New homes are marketed with impressive A or B EPC ratings, yet the actual performance often disappoints. The 2025 Zero Carbon Hub study found a performance gap of up to 60% between predicted and real energy use. Over-optimistic SAP calculations, poorly installed insulation, unsealed air-tightness tape, and mechanical ventilation systems that were never commissioned properly all contribute. Homeowners end up with higher bills and colder rooms than expected despite paying a new-build premium.

Conclusion: 

The good news is that you do not have to face these challenges alone. With the right knowledge and professional support from Tacman , you can dramatically reduce the stress, cost, and disruption that so many new-build buyers experience. A professional Tacman snagging survey, thermal imaging check, and independent verification of plumbing, electrics, and structure are no longer optional extras; they are essential protection for what is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. Our nationwide team of RICS-regulated surveyors and qualified engineers works solely for you, not the developer, ensuring every defect is identified and fixed before you are financially committed. Book your Tacman new-build inspection today and step into your new home with total confidence.

FAQs

1. Is it normal to have lots of snags in a newly built house?

Yes, completely normal. The 2025 HBF survey showed 93.7% of buyers report defects and professional inspections regularly find 100-200 issues per property.

2. When is the best time to book new build services like a snagging survey?

Ideally two to four weeks before legal completion so defects can be fixed at the builder’s expense rather than yours.

3. Are structural cracks in new builds something to worry about?

Most are harmless shrinkage, but an independent structural engineer can confirm whether movement joints or deeper investigation are required.

4. Why do new builds feel colder than older houses despite better EPC ratings?

Poor installation of insulation and air-leakage measures, plus uncommissioned heating systems, create the notorious performance gap.

5. Can plumbing and electrical faults be dangerous?

Yes. Incorrect bonding, overheating lights and leaking pipes under floors have caused fires and flooding; always get independent certification.