Steps to buying your new build

Start by considering your budget, preferred location and the type of home that suits your lifestyle. Explore developments, compare house styles and arrange a viewing where possible.

If you're buying off-plan, look carefully at the floor plans and specification. Ask the sales team about estimated completion dates, available plots and any buying schemes or incentives that could help.

Once you've found the perfect home for you, you can reserve it by paying a reservation fee. Your reservation agreement will explain the terms of your purchase and the period within which you and Persimmon aim to exchange contracts.

Check the reservation expiry date and make sure you understand what happens if you're unable to proceed in time.

You'll need a solicitor or conveyancer to handle the legal side of your purchase. With Persimmon, you must instruct one at the point of reservation.

They'll check the relevant documents, carry out searches and guide you through the contracts. If you're buying off-plan, experience with new build purchases can be especially useful.

Unless you're buying outright, you'll need a mortgage. Speaking to a mortgage advisor early can help you understand how much you may be able to borrow and what your repayments could look like.

An Agreement in Principle can give you an initial indication, but it's not a final mortgage offer. Once you've reserved your home, you'll need to progress your full application. Your solicitor will need your mortgage offer before you exchange contracts, where applicable.

With our Finishing Touches range, you may be able to choose options such as flooring, fixtures, fittings and other upgrades.

Your sales advisor will explain what's available for your chosen plot and arrange an appointment to confirm your choices. Options depend on the property and stage of construction, so reserving early may give you more choice.

Here’s a look at what you can expect from the Finishing Touches process.

Your solicitor will check the contracts, review the property documents and make the necessary searches and enquiries. They'll also confirm when the paperwork is ready to proceed.

If you're using a mortgage, your lender's offer will need to be in place. If you're selling another property to fund your purchase, your buyer will also need to be ready to proceed.

Before exchanging contracts, your solicitor will ask you to transfer your contract deposit. For off-plan purchases, this is usually around 10% of the purchase price, although the amount depends on your agreement and whether you’ve used a buying scheme.

The contract deposit is deducted from the balance due when you complete your purchase. Your solicitor will confirm the amount and payment arrangements.

At exchange, the purchase becomes legally binding. Your solicitor and ours will arrange this, aiming to exchange before your reservation period expires.

If you're unable to exchange in time, ask your solicitor to contact our solicitor promptly to explain the situation and discuss whether an extension may be possible.

When you reserve an off-plan home, we’ll provide our best estimate of the build completion date. This isn't the same as your legal completion date, and construction delays can affect the estimate.

We'll do our best to meet the expected date and keep you updated on progress and any unavoidable delays.

Once your home is ready, our solicitor can serve notice on your solicitor. You'll generally be given 14 calendar days to complete, unless a shorter period has been requested in writing and agreed.

We’ll arrange a New Home Demonstration with a trained team member. This is an essential visit where you'll see your home, learn how everything works and discuss any issues before moving in.

You'll also have the opportunity to arrange a Pre-Completion Inspection at your own cost. This usually takes place around nine days before completion, with your site manager. You can attend yourself or appoint a suitable, qualified professional.

Your solicitor will confirm the outstanding balance due, and your mortgage lender may carry out a final inspection if required.

On completion day, your solicitor transfers the outstanding balance to Persimmon's solicitor. Once the completion money has been received, your sales advisor will arrange a time for you to collect your keys.

You'll sign a key release form confirming receipt of your keys, and your final meter readings will be covered. Then it's time to move in!

Our support continues after moving day. Around the fifth day after you move in, the site management team will contact you to arrange a post-occupation inspection. We appreciate you’ll be busy settling in, so we can arrange to carry out this meeting between day 7 and day 28 at your convenience.

After the first two months have passed and all your queries have been resolved, our customer care team will take care of you for the rest of your two-year warranty. A personal customer care coordinator will call to introduce themselves and will act as your point of contact for any further issues.