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Great expectations

Great expectations


Categories: Commercial & Investment, General, New Homes


Buyers at all levels are becoming increasingly aspirational about their homes, driving developers to raise standards.

T A Fisher managing director John Fisher believes the growing demands to have quality materials, finishes and fittings are raising the bar at all levels of the market and high spec is now standard.

Fitted bathrooms with quality cabinetry, modern tiling and high-spec fitted kitchens are becoming the norm at every price level in T A Fisher properties as we respond to modern day demands.

John Fisher said: “People’s expectations are a lot higher. Even if you take studios, they have down-lighters, fully-fitted kitchens, very attractive bathrooms and we ensure the whole property makes a statement about quality. That said there is a real difference in buying new build and buying new build from us.”

On larger properties nowadays, porcelain floors on ground floor and bathrooms are common, underfloor heating is becoming standard and, in an increasing number of properties, USB wall sockets are installed.

John Fisher added: “Every specification now is pretty aspirational. We ‘spec up’ not down.”

That question of quality was raised by deputy leader of Reading Borough Council, Cllr Tony Page in November at the Reading Economic Forum when he called some of the larger scale office conversions ‘the slums of the future’.

Mr Fisher says those issues could potentially arise on many large flatted schemes which are often driven by cost and programme with a fast exit and optimal return. That approach may well leave the wrong legacy. Buyers, particularly owner-occupiers or investors, are better served by buying from a developer with a reputation to protect.

He added: “If people are buying a home and they do their research and buy from a reputable developer, a builder with a track record who knows what they are doing, that’s a way of avoiding trouble in the future.”

The same principle of quality applies to T A Fisher’s commercial developments, illustrated last year by the E-Centre in Bracknell which has attracted some key occupiers since it was acquired and upgraded by T A Fisher. It has led to the revival of the Easthampstead Road area which was becoming run down.

John Fisher added: “We retro fitted the development so as to provide smart impressive facilities which are being very well received in the marketplace.”

E-Centre is located next to Beneficial House – the new T A Fisher mixed-use scheme anchored by Gym Group and House of Fisher serviced apartments.