New Build advice

LB25

Hi,

I wonder if anyone can offer any advise.

We've bought a new build property and were advised a few weeks ago that due to foundations being build incorrectly, a structural beam was being put into the house. This is not how the house should have been built but we've been assured that this is not an inferior way to build the house.

It has obviously caused the house to be delayed and they've given us some compensation for the delay. However we are getting a bit worried about this beam and wonder if we should get the house surveyed again but we're worried about raising concerns at the bank etc.

I'm not sure if we're being paranoid and that the NHBC cover would cover it anyway and it wouldn't be signed off if it wasn't structurally sound and buildings insurance would cover it anyway but I wondered if anyone could offer any help?

Thanks!

FoxtonsRIP

New Build and off plan. That's a deadly combination.

Gwhiz

"we've been assured that this is not an inferior way to build the house." - by who????

I would say if they can't get the sodding foundations right - the stuff the house is built on - what else might be lurking!!!

No advice to give but I'd be mighty worried myself based on what you have posted!

Welshwoofs

A developer who doesn't know how to build sound foundations? I'd be walking away fast because if the foundations aren't right, who's to say what else is wrong?

Also I'd not rely on the NHBC, that's a body set up for the benefit of builders, not buyers. Take a look here and you'll find a new build snagging forum with a lot of owners who mistakenly believed the NHBC would offer them total protection against problems with a new build and found they were horribly wrong.

Problems with the NHBC are well documented online and in several documentaries on 'new home nightmares' which have been shown down the years.

I'd do yourself a favour for the long-term - if you are going to buy a new build, make sure it's absolutely solid.

GDB2222

I would definitely ask the surveyor to look at it again. However, I'd first ask your solicitor what the position is if the house is not properly built in accordance with the plans/show house you have been given/seen.

This is clearly not something where you should be relying on advice on a forum.

LB25

Thanks Guys.

Apparently the foundations are not "wrong" but they changed the spec of the house mid-build (before we reserved) which included making the kitchen and dining room open plan and so the foundations hadn't been built to support this and had to put in this beam.

My solicitor seems to think that we would be ok because of NHBC but advised us to get a valuation survey done if we think it has been devalued any. I don't think the value would have decreased as the changes are not visible and as I said, in this climate, I don't want to raise concerns at the bank unnecessarily.

However, we are getting a bit worried and just wanted to check if our concerns were justified before taking it further.

GDB2222

You can always get an independent surveyor in.

AMILLIONDOLLARS

Get an independent surveyor to look at it again. This is going to save you a lot of money in the long run.

AMD

terrierlady

get the builder to pay for the valuation to ensure thats its ok have you exchanged?

00ec25

LB25 wrote: »

so the foundations hadn't been built to support this and had to put in this beam.
.

sounds like the other way around surely?
ie. the foundations had not been built to support an internal (load bearing) wall to give 2 separate rooms (kictchen and dining room) so instead they had to miss out the wall resulting in an open plan kitchen/diner, with the support for the upstairs now using a (load bearing) beam spanning the space where the internal wall should have been if the foundations had been built in the first place

providing the beam installation has building reg approval (it will if the development is NHBC) then there is nothing to worry about,

it's no different to the large number of people who do just that to increase the space in a house once they own it, eg the current fashion of "the family friendly kitchen diner" or "the through lounge"

clearing_out_my_pockets

Jolygreengiant why are you dragging up old threads? This is the second I've seen you 'bump' today