Leading Welsh housebuilder Redrow will reopen its sales centres and show homes in Wales to buyers and existing customers from 22nd June, following new guidance issued by the Government to reopen the housing market across the country.
Our sales centres and show homes in England reopened for appointments on the 18th May, following the reopening of the housing market there. New guidance now also allows the opening of sales offices and show homes in Wales and permits viewings of vacant properties to take place and for previously stalled transactions to complete. From today (19th June), customers can book appointments to visit a local sales centre in Wales from Monday onwards via our website. Customers may also visit without an appointment, as non-essential retail also reopens across the nation at the start of next week.
We have developed robust plans for our workforce and customers which include stringent social distancing protocols, rigorous cleaning regimes and a range of physical measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19. This includes several already fitted adaptations to sales centres and site facilities. We have produced videos for both customers and construction employees which offer clear guidance so both fully understand the new processes in place.
John Tutte, Executive Chairman at Redrow, comments: “We are pleased that the Welsh Government’s updated guidance now permits the reopening of our sales centres and show homes across the country. This will allow existing customers already midway through the process to recommence their property transaction and for new customers to make appointments to view and reserve a new home. We are now able to better support our customers throughout their Redrow journey.
“Our aim has been to create a new Redrow way of doing things for colleagues, customers and partners, which reflects best practice when it comes to social distancing and reducing the spread of Covid-19. Sales centres and show homes in England reopened for appointments in mid-May and, as restrictions have gradually eased, customers may now also visit us on an impromptu basis. This process has gone smoothly due to our preparedness and carefully considered processes, and we aim to replicate this approach in Wales.”
Alongside the robust procedures in place to support customers wishing to physically view developments in Wales, we have also invested heavily in technology to enable a smoother virtual transaction. Through our My Redrow customer portal, buyers can view different developments and plots online, select chosen plots and even select and review optional upgrades to their home. Last year, we launched an online reservation service which also now allows buyers to legally complete the reservation of their new home online, further minimising the need to spend hours in sales centres. This service allows customers to read and review all documents from the consumer code and warranty information, through to a series of pre-reservation legal documents, at their own pace and in their own home.
Summary of process for customers entering a sales centre:
• All customers are advised to book an advance appointment for viewings and meetings at our developments in Wales, but may also arrive without one if they so wish.
• Appointments for the 22nd June onwards can be booked via the development page on redrow.co.uk now
• Sales consultants will always remain two metres away from the customer and will be situated behind a protective screen in the sales centre.
• Sales consultants will guide customers through any collateral or documentation via iPads connected to TV screens, allowing customers to view imagery and plot availability with ease and without handling documents and tablets.
• Customers will visit show homes unaccompanied following a briefing.
• Hand sanitiser will be available throughout the sales centre and all customers will receive an overview of our comprehensive safety measures at the start of all appointments.
• A thorough cleanse will be performed after each appointment.
All measures meet Government guidance.
