A Complete Guide to Buying with Hopkins Homes
Buying a new home is an exciting milestone. Even if you have been through the process before, we are here to help...every step of the way.
Our Sales Executives are on hand to answer any questions you may have, no matter how trivial they may seem. We have the experience and knowledge to help guide you through your journey, starting with our simple step-by-step guide below.
Is new for you?
The first step to buying a newly built home from Hopkins Homes is deciding whether a new build property is for you.
There are many advantages of buying a new build home from reduced energy bills, no hidden renovation costs or major DIY, the chance to personalise your home before you move in and of course, the additional buying schemes available. The list goes on. It’s a lifestyle choice. Is it yours?
Why Hopkins Homes
Hopkins Homes has a track record of building distinctive homes and environments that retain the heritage of the past, whilst offering energy-efficient modern living.
We don’t follow the latest fashions that come and go. We evolve our designs so that they meet modern expectations without compromising on the charm and traditional essence that we have become renowned for. Homes that people trust and aspire to.
Most of our developments are open to visit Thursday to Monday, 10am – 5pm. While drop-in visits are welcome, we recommend booking an appointment to ensure dedicated time with our sales team. They'll discuss:
Buying a new home can often be simpler than purchasing a pre-owned property. We recommend speaking with an Independent Financial Advisor (IFA) who specialises in new builds. Our sales executives can recommend trusted advisors familiar with our properties and processes, though you're free to choose your own.
Your IFA will help you:
If you are selling an existing property, this will need to be sold subject to contract with a complete chain in order to proceed to reservation. Consider our Part Exchange or SmoothMove schemes to simplify the process.
Once you’ve chosen your new Hopkins home, don’t lose it, book a reservation appointment with your sales executive. Allow at least 2 - 3 hours for this detailed meeting. We look in detail at the legal and technical aspects of your new home and the development.
During this appointment:
This removes your home from the market for 6 weeks at the agreed price. Use this time to instruct your solicitor and complete necessary documentation.
We recommend choosing a solicitor experienced in new build purchases, as they are aware of the timescales we adhere to. For this reason, your Sales Executive can recommend an independent solicitor who has an in-depth understanding of our contracts and processes, placing them in an excellent position to advise you. It’s a key decision – having the right solicitor can make a real difference.
We also recommend paying for search fees immediately, as local authorities can cause delays.
Documents you'll need for your mortgage application
What happens during conveyancing
Your solicitor will handle the legal transfer of ownership. Our solicitors will forward all necessary documents including land registry searches, contracts, and stamp duty liability.
Your mortgage lender (if applicable) will arrange a property valuation to confirm it meets lending standards.
Your sales executive will provide weekly progress updates throughout this period.
You will be invited to attend an appointment with your Sales Executive to select your colour choices, optional extras or upgrades to help personalise your new home before you move in. This will be subject to the build stage of your property.
Your Sales Executive will provide confirmation of your order and any payment for extras will be required.
Upon receipt of your mortgage offer (if applicable), your solicitor will arrange for you to sign the mortgage deed and binding purchase contract. The deposit - typically 10% of the purchase price minus your reservation fee - must be transferred at this stage.
Critical security step: Always call your solicitor directly to verbally confirm bank transfer details. Never rely solely on email due to cybercrime risks.
After exchange, the purchase becomes legally binding and you'll receive an expected completion date. Your sales executive will provide regular construction updates from this point forward.
During the build process of your new home, you’ll be invited to meet the team and attend a walkthrough with the Site Manager. This special visit gives you the opportunity to see your home at an important stage of construction, including the internal wall framing, plumbing pipework, and other key structural elements before they are enclosed. It’s a valuable chance to better understand how your home is put together, ask questions, and gain confidence in the quality and care being taken throughout the build.
Access to your home can also be arranged so you can take measurements for curtains, furniture, and floor coverings. Please note that any flooring you plan to install yourself must not be fitted until after legal completion has taken place.
Home demonstration visit
Approximately two weeks before completion, your sales executive and site manager will conduct a comprehensive home demonstration covering:
This is your opportunity to inspect your new home or if you prefer, appoint a suitably qualified inspector to carry out a pre-completion inspection on your behalf.
We will ask you to sign a Home Demonstration form to confirm that you are happy with everything that has been discussed and a copy will be provided for your records.
Once all searches and obligations are satisfied, our solicitor serves a Notice of Completion, starting a 14-day countdown to completion. Your mortgage lender releases funds, your solicitor receives the title deeds and registers ownership with the Land Registry, and final costs (stamp duty, solicitor fees) are settled.
Your sales executive will contact you when completion is official. They'll meet you at your new home with the site manager for the key handover and to review warranty paperwork and after-care services.
Warranty: Your home is automatically enrolled in a 10-year NHBC Buildmark policy, with the first two years covered directly by Hopkins Homes.
Within the first few days, your sales executive and a construction team member will visit to ensure you're settling in comfortably. If they miss you, they'll call again at a more convenient time.
Our Customer Services team will contact you shortly after moving in to book your 21-day inspection. This gives you time to live in your home and identify any issues that need attention.
During this visit, you’ll discuss any concerns with your Site Manager. As our homes are handcrafted and not factory finished, some minor remedial work is normal, but rest assured, we share your standards.
Most work is completed within 21 days. If specific materials need ordering, timelines may be extended. Our Customer Services team maintains regular contact throughout to keep you informed.
After-care and ongoing support
Our Customer Services team remains available throughout the two-year warranty period. We encourage you to:
Your feedback helps us continually improve, ensuring no detail is overlooked in future homes and developments.
Ready to begin your journey? Contact our sales team or visit one of our developments to explore the Hopkins Homes difference. We look forward to helping you find your perfect new home.
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