Let’s get cosy: Is buying a new home better than renovating?
Key takeaways
- Renovating can become more expensive than expected, particularly when an older home needs repairs or energy-efficiency upgrades.
- A new Deanfield home is ready to enjoy from day one, with modern heating, insulation and glazing designed to make the home warmer and cheaper to run.
- You can still have the character of a traditional Cotswold home, without taking on a renovation project to get it.
A new Deanfield home takes away much of that uncertainty. Buying a home with us means you get the traditional architecture that makes people fall in love with older properties, alongside the very latest energy-efficient technology, all brought together in a home that’s as beautiful as its surroundings and designed for comfortable living all year round.
Why buy a new home instead of renovating?
There’s a lot to love about an older home, but renovating one can involve far more time, money and disruption than you initially prepare for. What begins as a plan to update the kitchen or create a little more space can soon turn into a much longer list of jobs, decisions and unexpected costs.
With a new home, you can skip much of that work and settle into a fresh, beautifully finished space that’s ready to make your own. Here are just some of the reasons why buying a new home could be the better choice.
- Renovation costs can be much higher than expected. HBF research estimates that bringing a typical three-bedroom home up to modern standards could cost anywhere from £57,350 to £173,900.
- Most buyers underestimate the work involved. Around 40% of homeowners are caught out by an average of £4,000 in unexpected repair costs shortly after collecting the keys to an older property.
- Bringing an older home up to the energy-efficient standards of a new build could cost as much as £83,000.
- New homes can be cheaper to run, saving homeowners around £420 a year on average.
Architecture defined by Cotswold heritage
At Deanfield, we know that beautiful design matters just as much as what’s behind the walls. From the Cotswolds and beyond, our new build developments share the same approach to design, taking inspiration from traditional architecture and adapting it to suit each location.
At our Deanfield Glade and The Executive Collection developments, traditional Cotswold architecture is beautifully reimagined for the present, with honey-toned exteriors, locally sourced ironstone and considered architectural details that echo the character of the surrounding villages. This means you can have the look and feel of a home you love, without taking on a house full of jobs before you can settle in.
Warmth without the worry
Behind those traditional exteriors, you’ll also find all the comfort you’d expect from a brand-new home. Every Deanfield home comes with an air source heat pump and underfloor heating as standard, alongside generous insulation and double glazing designed to keep the warmth in.
This energy-efficient design means our new homes are typically around 21% cheaper to run than an older property, saving homeowners an average of £420 a year on energy bills compared to older homes. So, when the rain is tapping against the windows and the evenings invite you to settle in, you won’t have anything to think about other than putting the kettle on, sinking into the sofa and enjoying the warmth of your new home.
No hidden horrors behind the wallpaper
Ask anyone who has taken on the renovation of an older property, and there’s a good chance they’ll have a story to tell. Perhaps the boiler chose the coldest week of winter to give up, the roof needed a little more attention than expected, or that “quick lick of paint” suddenly became a six-month project. It's easy to romanticise the idea of bringing an old home back to life, but the reality can be rather less cosy, as research shows around 40% of homeowners are caught out by an average of £4,000 in unexpected repair costs.
With a Deanfield home, you can enjoy all the excitement of making a new home your own without wondering what might be lurking behind the wallpaper. Every home is brand-new and comes with a two-year builder guarantee and a ten-year structural warranty, and many of our developments are registered with the New Homes Quality Board, giving you extra peace of mind and somewhere to turn if you ever need it.
A home you can make your own
One of the biggest reasons many people are drawn to older homes is the chance to put their own stamp on them. In fact, 69% of people surveyed as part of the HBF research agreed that they would choose a doer-upper because of the opportunity to add value and create a home that reflects their personal style.
But you don’t need to take on an older house and a long list of jobs to get the same outcome. Depending on the stage of construction, you can choose from a range of finishes, including kitchens, flooring, tiling, cabinetry and worktops, giving you an opportunity to make some of the important decisions before you’ve even moved in.
And once you’ve moved in, there’s still plenty of opportunity to make your home your own, like hanging your favourite pictures, finding the perfect sofa, filling shelves with the things you love and getting the garden ready for summer. The difference is, you can get straight on with the enjoyable bits instead of spending your first few months working out what needs ripping out and replacing.
Let’s get cosy and settle into a high-quality new home
As lovely as they are, feeling comfortable at home is about more than candles and thick blankets. A home that feels warm, well made and easy to live in, with all those little things taken care of before you move in, makes a real difference.
With a Deanfield home, you can enjoy that feeling from the very beginning. If you’re looking for a home that’s ready for you to settle into, not a project waiting to be tackled, buying new could be just what you’re looking for.
Discover Deanfield Glade in Hook Norton and The Executive Collection in Sibford Ferris, where the beauty of the Cotswolds meets the warmth, comfort and ease of a brand-new home. Find your perfect place to come home to this winter.
You can also discover why now is the perfect time to buy a new Deanfield home here
FAQ
Why buy a new build home with Deanfield?
What are the benefits of buying a new build instead of renovating?
The main benefits include having a home that is ready to move into, lower maintenance, modern energy-efficient features and fewer unexpected repair bills.
What should I consider when choosing between a new build and an older home?
Think about how much work you want to take on, your budget, how quickly you want to move, energy efficiency and how important it is to be able to personalise the property.
Are new homes cheaper to run than older properties?
Generally, yes. New homes are built with modern insulation, heating systems and energy-efficient features, which can help reduce energy use. HBF research suggests new build homes are typically around 21% cheaper to run, saving homeowners an average of £420 a year.
Can you personalise a new build home?
Yes, depending on the stage of construction, you can choose fixtures and fittings like kitchen styles, flooring and tiling. This gives you the opportunity to make some of the bigger design choices before you move in.