Article
Flooring considerations for Branston's new developments
What to think about when flooring a new home at Branston Locks or elsewhere in Branston, from subfloor readiness and timing to planning the whole house.
By Maximum Flooring
If you are moving into a new home at Branston Locks or elsewhere in Branston, plan flooring around your own plot’s handover rather than the development as a whole. Measure once the walls are plastered and the skirtings and doors are in, fit once wet trades are finished and the subfloor has been checked against the chosen product’s requirements, and decide early whether to take a developer upgrade or arrange flooring independently.
What is happening at Branston Locks?
Branston Locks is a large housing scheme on the edge of Branston, near Burton-on-Trent, being built out in phases by more than one housebuilder. In May 2023 Crest Nicholson reported that it had secured planning permission for 284 homes as one phase of the wider scheme, which it described as planned for around 2,500 homes in total (see the source below).
We mention this only to help local buyers plan. Maximum Flooring is independent and has no affiliation with, or approval from, any developer at Branston Locks.
Established homes and new homes, side by side
Branston has established streets as well as new estates, and the flooring questions differ:
- An existing home usually needs the old covering lifted and the subfloor beneath checked for condition and flatness.
- A new home needs its subfloor checked for readiness, particularly moisture, before moisture-sensitive products go down.
You cannot tell how a floor is built from the street or the development name. Construction varies between builders, house types and even storeys, so it is checked rather than assumed.
Why a new subfloor needs checking first
New concrete slabs and screeds hold construction moisture and can take a long time to dry. Laminate, LVT and other hard floors each have their own moisture limits and preparation requirements, so the subfloor should be tested and the manufacturer’s instructions followed. Depending on the product, that may mean a damp-proof membrane or suitable underlay, a surface membrane, levelling, or simply waiting. Hard floors also need a flat base. See LVT subfloor preparation and when to install flooring in a new-build for the detail.
Developer upgrade or arrange it yourself?
Many developers offer a flooring package as an optional extra. It is convenient and usually in place at completion, but the range is set by the developer. Arranging flooring independently gives you a wider choice and lets you plan every room as one scheme. Our developer upgrade vs independent comparison sets out the trade-offs.
Plan the whole house
A common approach is carpet in bedrooms and on the stairs for warmth, with LVT or laminate in the hall, kitchen and living areas. Planning it together keeps colours, door thresholds and floor heights consistent from room to room. Our new-build flooring page explains how we approach a whole-house job.
Practical timing on a phased site
Plots on a phased development complete at different times, and handover dates can move. Work from your own plot’s expected handover and keep the fitting date flexible until the home is ready:
- Measure once the home is plastered and second-fix joinery (skirtings and doors) is in.
- Fit once wet trades are finished, the home is clean and the subfloor has been checked.
Common questions
Can flooring be measured before I get the keys?
Only if the developer allows access. Many buyers send plans or plot dimensions for an indicative estimate first, then arrange a home measure once they have access.
Should every room have a different floor?
Not necessarily. Some people run one hard floor through the ground floor for a continuous look; others prefer carpet in bedrooms. It depends on how you use each room.
Are you connected to the Branston Locks developers?
No. We are an independent business and are not affiliated with or recommended by any developer there.
Next step
Tell us your plot and expected handover date for an indicative estimate, or book a home measure once the property is ready. Not sure what to include? See what to send for a flooring estimate.
Sources