New builds + snagging + retention of money.

bylromarha

We currently live in a house bought from new...it took the builders 2 years to get all the faults fixed...and we weren't talking finiky stuff like a slip of the paintbrush, but shoddy plasterwork and fittings and an extractor fan that didn't extract.

We're trying to buy a new house again, so asked the solicitor to enquire about retaining some of the purchase price to spur on the fixing of the snags. the builders have said a flat no to this..."they're very good on site, and get things done when they're asked". Well if that's the case mr builder

1) why are the faults still there even though the saleswoman pointed some of them out to you when we looked round the house and were still there the next month when we did our snagging list?

2) if the site guys are so good, then show a little faith in them with your finances?

Do I just have to accept this, or are there other things we can try? I won't play the "we'll pull out" card as we won't pull out as baby is due in 3 weeks and we need to move.

lynzpower

God, I dont know, but I know snagging can be a fair old nightmare. I was told 6 months in I needed to pay myself for a new condensing boiler as it was out of warranty as the flats took longer to build than they thought. Pants to that, I kicked off royally.

What sort of faults are we talkig about in your new place, doenst it fall under the "fit for purpose" under the sale of goods act? just a thought, I dont know either, but looking forward to the repsonses from others x

terrierlady

ask the saleslady to make sure the snags are reported at her weekly meeting with the site agent, make sure you go over her head and speak to the area sales manager about the problem, explain that you are unhappy with the standard of finish etc, blackmail will not work, you must complete as agreed on the date confirmed.I have had solicitors hold back payment on completion day but it does cause so much bad feeling and shouldnt get to that stage.
often we don't hear about complaints until it gets out of hand, the sales staff are usually on bonus to get completions in, it maybe half year end ? so she will keep on at site to do snags if you keep chasing her up!!!
often sales staff get the raw end of the stick as they are the first point of contact with customers but i bet she trying hard with site,keep her on your side,construction have so many completions so little time.....