This guide explains what you can expect from the moment you reserve your property to receiving your keys and beyond.
QUICK LINKS
1. The Reservation Process >
2. Instructing Your Solicitor >
3. Applying for a Mortgage >
4. Dependant Property Sale >
5. Anticipated Completion Date >
6. Personalising Your New Home >
7. Communication >
8. Missives (Contract to Purchase) >
9. Home Demonstration >
10. Legal Completion >
11. Aftercare & Warranty >
12. Health & Safety >
Reserving your new Allanwater home is a straightforward process, our dedicated sales team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Start by visiting or contacting the development where you would like to buy. Our Development Sales Manager will provide details on available plots, pricing, build timelines and answer any initial questions you may have.
Once you have chosen your preferred plot and are ready to proceed, we will guide you through the reservation process. Your Reservation Appointment is an important step in the process and typically takes up to two hours. During this time, we will guide you through the Reservation Checklist and Agreement, review detailed drawings of the development and your chosen plot, and confirm key information such as the purchase price and anticipated dates.
A £500 reservation fee is required to secure your chosen plot. This amount will be deducted from the final purchase price upon legal completion. All reservations are subject to a 14-day cooling-off period, during which you can cancel the reservation and receive a full refund of your reservation fee.
Mortgage Buyers:
Prior to reserving, you will need to obtain an Agreement in Principle (AIP) from your lender or mortgage broker. This helps confirm your affordability and is a key step before you can proceed further.
Selling an Existing Property:
We are happy to accept reservations from buyers with a dependant property to sell. Please speak with our Development Sales Manager for more information on how we manage the process and understand the terms and conditions that apply.
Appoint a solicitor to manage the legal side of your home purchase.
We strongly recommend choosing a solicitor who has experience with new build properties, as this can help ensure a smooth and efficient process. Once appointed, we will send them all the necessary legal documentation to begin the conveyancing process. Your solicitor will take care of the legal side of things and work with us to move your new home journey forward.
If you are unsure or need help finding a solicitor, we can also recommend a trusted panel solicitor who is familiar with our process and timescales.
If you are planning to purchase your new home using a mortgage, getting started early is a key part of keeping your move on track.
Once you have reserved your plot, we recommend that you speak with your mortgage lender or broker to begin the application process soon as possible. They will complete the necessary paperwork and arrange a valuation survey on the property to ensure it meets lending criteria and to confirm the purchase price.
It is important to be aware that the mortgage process can take several weeks, depending on your lender and individual circumstances. Starting early gives you the best chance of avoiding any potential delays further down the line.
As soon as your formal mortgage offer is issued, please let your Development Sales Manager know.
Delays in receiving your mortgage offer of loan can impact your anticipated completion window and legal completion date.
If you have a property to sell in order to purchase your new home, it is important to begin the selling process as early as possible. If your current property is not yet on the market, we would kindly ask that you proceed with marketing it without delay.
When planning your sale, please consider:
Taking these steps early helps reduce stress and keeps your home buying journey running smoothly.
Before construction work begins, the anticipated date of entry will be marked as “TBC” (to be confirmed).
Once a plot is released for sale and enters the build programme, you will be provided with an anticipated completion window based on our construction schedule at that time. This estimated timeframe will be outlined in your Reservation Agreement and included within your Legal Documents.
Please be aware that this date is anticipated and subject to change. Delays can occur if missives are not concluded promptly or if option selections remain outstanding. Other factors such as adverse weather, availability of materials or labour and delays in service connections may also impact the completion timeline.
As your new home progresses through key stages of construction, we will keep you informed with timely updates.
One of the great advantages of purchasing a new build home is the opportunity customise key features. From choosing your kitchen finishes and bathroom fittings to selecting garden landscaping options, you will have the opportunity to add individual touches that reflect your personal style.
Upon reserving your new home, you will receive a brochure detailing the available choices from our high-quality standard finishes a wide range of optional upgrades, including any associated costs to allow you to explore your options before your design appointment.
A dedicated appointment will then be arranged for you to make your selections. Your Development Sales Manager will guide you through your selections, answering any questions and offering expert advice. It is an opportunity to discuss everything in detail and ensure you are confident in your choices.
At the time of reservation, you will have been made aware of any build stage restrictions or order deadlines that may affect the availability of certain options. These are in place to make sure selections can be fulfilled within the construction schedule.
At Allanwater Homes, we operate using a “One Point of Contact” approach. Your Development Sales Manager will act as your main liaison with the development team, coordinating communications and providing you with any information you may need throughout the process.
As part of the homebuying process in Scotland, you will enter into a formal legal contract known as missives. This is a standard part of buying a property and marks the point at which the sale becomes legally binding.
A Missives or conditional missive must be entered into or concluded within the 8 weeks reservation period.
If missives (or intimation of a conditional missive) are not concluded by the specified deadline, the reservation will be cancelled and the property remarketed, any refund due may be subject to administration costs.
On the conclusion of missives, a £1,000 missive fee is payable within 10 days. This payment should be made via your appointed solicitor. Both the £500 reservation fee and the £1,000 missive fee will be deducted from the overall agreed purchase price of your new home.
To proceed with concluding missives, certain conditions may need to be met depending on your individual circumstances. For example, if you’re financing your purchase with a mortgage, a formal mortgage offer must be in place. Similarly, if your purchase is dependent on the sale of another property, the missives for that sale must also be concluded.
It is your responsibility to instruct your chosen solicitor to act on your behalf and conclude missives within the deadline.
As your new home approaches completion and has successfully passed Habitation and Premier Warranty Inspections, we will invite you to attend a New Home Demonstration/Inspection Appointment.
This appointment is an exciting part of your journey and often the very first time you will see your completed new home with all your selections in place.
During the Demonstration, your Development Sales Manager and Site Manager will guide you through key features such as the central heating system, kitchen appliances, and general maintenance tips to help you keep your home in excellent condition. You will also have the opportunity to inspect the property, confirm fittings and finishes, and ask any questions you may have.
Due to the nature of this appointment, we kindly ask that attendance is limited to the new homeowners or a maximum of two adults, to allow for a focused and an informative experience.
Once your new home has successfully passed its final inspections by Local Authority Building Control and Premier Guarantee, we will issue your confirmed Legal Completion Date to you. Your Development Sales Manager will support you through this stage, working closely with you to ensure all preparations are in place for the legal handover of your new home.
On the day of Legal Completion, your solicitor will arrange for the remaining balance of the purchase price less the reservation fee and any agreed deductions to be transferred electronically to our solicitor’s account. Please be aware that completion will only be recognised once the funds have cleared into our solicitor’s account, not at the point of transfer from your solicitor’s office. As the timing of this process is dependent on the banking system, we are unable to provide a specific time for when completion will occur.
We therefore respectfully request that you do not arrive at the development with furniture, removal vehicles, or personal belongings until you have received confirmation that legal completion has taken place. Access to the property and the release of keys cannot be granted under any circumstances until formal notification has been received from our solicitor.
Your Development Sales Manager will contact you directly once settlement has been confirmed. At that point, you will be invited to the development, where the team will be ready to welcome you and hand over the keys to your new home.
Our commitment to quality extends well beyond the day you move in. Every new home comes with a 10-year Premier Guarantee a warranty for added peace of mind.
The first two years are covered by our aftercare guarantee, protecting you against any issues arising from faulty workmanship or materials from the date you take ownership. Structural defects are then covered by the Premier Guarantee from years three to ten.
Our dedicated aftersales team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm, to assist with any queries you may have. For added reassurance, 24-hour emergency contact details for plumbing, heating, and electrical faults are included in your New Home Handbook, ensuring help is always available when you need it most.
It is completely normal for a new build home to experience minor settlement during the initial months, these are usually cosmetic and not a cause for concern. Where remedial works are required, our team will work closely with trusted contractors to ensure everything is resolved in a timely and professional manner. We aim to address all valid snagging issues within 30 working days, subject to contractor availability and access to your property.
In addition, many appliances within your new home such as kitchen appliances, combination boiler are protected by their own manufacturer warranties. These must be registered directly by the homeowner, and we recommend keeping records of registration for future reference.
At Allanwater Homes, we are here to support you every step of the way.
Be safe, while we build around you
For your safety, all construction areas are clearly marked with heras fencing and warning signs. Please take a moment to read these signs carefully and exercise caution when near any active build zones.
Pedestrian walkways are provided to help guide you safely around the development. However, on some occasions planning requirements may mean that you will need to walk along the road. We kindly ask that you remain especially vigilant in these areas.
As construction continues on surrounding homes, we ask all visitors, including children to avoid entering or playing in construction zones at any time. Our site team regularly checks fencing and gates to ensure safety, but if you notice anything that causes concern, please report it to your Development Sales Manager. They will immediately pass the information to the Site Manager to address.
While access by contractors and their vehicles will be kept to a minimum, there may be occasions when their presence is necessary to complete ongoing works around the development.
We will always aim to minimise any disruption and keep these activities as short and limited as possible. However, we kindly ask that you remain mindful of safety particularly for yourself, your family and any pets, while construction continues in the area.
For safety reasons, buyer(s) will not be permitted on site while their property is under construction. A pre-arranged Home Demonstration/Inspection Appointment will be scheduled prior to legal completion. At this time, the buyer(s) will be escorted to and from the property by the Site Manager and/or Development Sales Manager to ensure safe access.
Your safety is our priority, and we appreciate your cooperation as we complete your new community.
We look forward to welcoming you to your new home and community, where great memories are waiting to be made!