Building specifications for a house: what do they consist of?
Before buying a property, one of the first things that the future owner wonders is whether it’s better to buy a newly-built property or whether it’d be a better idea to go for a second-hand property. It really comes down to the buyer’s personal circumstances and lifestyle.
Buying a new-build is a really attractive idea. You get a brand new house with everything in tip-top shape as well as saving money on your energy bill, as newly built houses are more energy efficient.
Whether you’re buying a recently-built apartment or buying off-plan, the building specifications are of utmost importance, because they provide in-depth information on the materials, compositions and finishes that have been used or are going to be used, so you know what the apartment you’re going to buy is like with complete peace of mind.
What are the building specifications of a new-build?
The building specifications are listed in a document that provides an in-depth list of all the materials to be used in the construction, in the interiors and, if possible, in the communal areas, as well as the property’s installations.
The developer is required not just to provide the buyer with the building specifications, but to do so free of charge. This document can be used by the future owner to check that the materials and elements the property has been built and equipped with are what they should be and correspond to what was previously agreed.
Due to their importance, new-build building specifications are part of the sales contract and it’s recommended that both parties sign them.
Key parts of a property’s building specifications
The document should provide a detailed list of all materials and equipment that will be used or have been used to build the property, specifying not just the material, but also the make, model and technical characteristics.
Whether you’re buying a recently-built apartment or buying off-plan, the building specifications are of utmost importance, because they provide in-depth information on the materials, compositions and finishes that have been used or are going to be used, so you know what the apartment you’re going to buy is like with complete peace of mind.
What are the building specifications of a new-build?
The building specifications are listed in a document that provides an in-depth list of all the materials to be used in the construction, in the interiors and, if possible, in the communal areas, as well as the property’s installations.
The developer is required not just to provide the buyer with the building specifications, but to do so free of charge. This document can be used by the future owner to check that the materials and elements the property has been built and equipped with are what they should be and correspond to what was previously agreed.
Due to their importance, new-build building specifications are part of the sales contract and it’s recommended that both parties sign them.
Key parts of a property’s building specifications
The document should provide a detailed list of all materials and equipment that will be used or have been used to build the property, specifying not just the material, but also the make, model and technical characteristics.
The level of detail required in the building specifications is such that if, for example, a marble floor is to be laid, the specific type of marble to be used, the model and all its characteristics must be stated.
Building specifications often use the expression “or similar” after having specified some of the materials to be used. While building the property, technical or other issues could arise such as a product not being in stock, meaning that it needs to be substituted by others. In this case, the alternative materials used will be of an equal or higher quality and in no case shall the extra cost, if any, be passed onto the buyer. If “or similar” isn’t used in the document, you should ask for it to be included to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Non-compliance with the building specifications
A property’s building specifications is not just for informational purposes; it’s drawn up as an instrument to protect the buyer and therefore constitutes a binding commitment that serves as a guarantee that the developer will comply with the terms of the contract. In this way, if the developer doesn’t comply with the terms, you can take them to court or file a complaint with the consumer bodies.
The first step, after verifying that one or more aspects of the agreement haven’t been complied with, is to draw up a list of anything that’s of inferior quality to those agreed in the building specifications, which should then be sent, preferably by Burofax, to the developer. In this case the developer is normally willing to negotiate. A process gets underway in which the developer offers to replace anything that’s of a lesser quality, or even offer financial compensation.
If an agreement isn’t reached, you’ll have to go through the courts. Nevertheless, the sale contract is never terminated unless the breach is such that the apartment is unfit for human habitation.
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